Tharu knowledge And Practices

RESEARCH BRIEF
RESEARCH BRIEF
SIRF/SNV Nepal
Brief: RF/2006/02 December 2008
December 2008 Brief: RF/2

SOCIAL INCLUSION/EXCLUSION
in relation to
Tharu Indigenous Knowledge and
Practices

Research by:
Gopal Dahit
Research Fellow, 2006

Funded by:
Social Inclusion Research Fund (SIRF)

This research brief is summarised version of the complete research report. For the complete research
report please contact info@socialinclusion.org.np

Introduction Primary & secondary data: Interview,
observation, case study and group
Tharus are the principle indigenous discussion methods were used. A total of
group of Tharuhat (Terai and Inner Terai). 450 Tharus comprising of Guruwa,
They were once rulers and their socio- Baidawa, Barghariya, Cooks, Kulapani
economic and political status was very Chaudhary, Sohrinya, elders and general
high; language, literature, handicrafts, people were interviewed. 73 observations
architecture, etc. were well developed. of Barghariya and Kulapani Chaudhary
However, with the rise of the Gorkha meetings, Shaman and Baidawa work
Kingdom, Hinduisation and assimilation processes were made. 32 case studies of
process began. The Rana Prime Minister Guruwa, Baidawa, and Kulapani
Jung Bahadur introduced the Muluki Ain, Chaudhary were prepared. 7 one-day
the first Government document to enforce group discussions were conducted.
Hindu norms and values on all Nepalese. Secondary data was collected from TU
Similarly, Article 4 of the Nepalese Library, Social Science BAHA, Madan
Constitution of 2047 B.S. declares Nepal Pustakalaya, JN University, Ranchi
as a Hindu Kingdom. Article 6 imposes University, Welfare Department, Ranchi,
Khas/Nepali as the national language. Tribal and Research Institute, Ranchi, etc.
Thus, the constitutions in the past have Unpublished documents on use of
legitimised Hindu norms and values; whilst medicinal plants, use of Mantars, etc. were
prohibiting indigenous and ethnic norms collected.
and values. At present, Nepal has been
declared a secular country and is aiming Research Questions: Under this
for multiculturalism and bringing the issues study, the following research questions
of minorities to the fore. were answered to meet research
objectives.
Research objectives and i. Defining the indigenous knowledge of
Tharu. And what are the varieties of
methodology indigenous knowledge of Tharu?
ii. What is the importance and use of Tharu
Objectives: The overall objective is to indigenous knowledge for the Tharu
prepare a detailed document of Tharu community and national development?
indigenous knowledge and analyse it iii. Why do Tharus live only in Terai and
based on social inclusion/exclusion Inner Terai area and why are Tharus still
theories for its protection, promotion and poor and have no access to government
development. Other objectives are given authorities?
below:
a. To prepare a strong base in favour of
Tharu indigenous knowledge, this could
Defining indigenous knowledge
help in national development.
The term "Indigenous" denotes
b. To prepare authentic written document
something that is primitive and has a long
for promotion of indigenous knowledge
history. The term "Knowledge" denotes
of Tharu in the world and for
something that is learned through empirical
registration in World Trade
study. Barkes 1993: cited by Yoji Kamata,
Organization (WTO).
(2000) stated that human beings have
always had a close relationship with
Research Area: The research area
nature. Their strategies to cope with their
covered six districts of Tharuhat; Dang,
environment may be termed as the native
Banke, Bardiya, Kailali, Kanchanpur and
strategy or indigenous knowledge. It may
Surkhet. Information was also collected
be the only resource that the poorest
from namely, Chitawan, Rupandehi, Bara,
groups control. In the world perspective,
Parsa, Siraha, Nawalparai, Saptari,
indigenous knowledge includes the
Sunsari and Kathmandu valley and also
knowledge of indigenous medicine, food
from West Champaran and Bhamar of
crops, leadership, social organization,
India.
spiritual system, environment territory, etc.
RESEARCH BRIEF: Inclusion/exclusion of Tharu indigenous knowledge and practices Social Inclusion Research Fund (SIRF)/SNV Nepal
1

Relevant international instruments medical system, food and drinks and
ILO conference adopted ILO organizational system.
convention No. 169 in 1989 and is the
foremost internationally recognized legal Tharu medical system
instrument that protects and promotes the Tharu medical system is still widely
rights of the indigenous people. Indigenous practiced in rural Nepal. The Tharu medical
knowledge draws its legitimacy from the system has three basic practices and
Biological Diversity Declaration (CBD of practitioners; these are Tharu Mantars
the UNCED) which took place in the Earth practiced by Guruwas (spiritual/shaman),
Summit 1992 in Rio de Janerio. The UN Massage by Sohrinya (birth attendants)
Declaration regarding on Rights of and other practice-men/women and
Indigenous People has 19 principles and Medicinal plants by Baidawas
45 articles and came into action from June (herbalists). And non-professional
19, 2006. practitioners are general Guruwa and
massage workers.
All three international instruments are
very useful to initiate and pressurise the Tharu Mantars are practiced by
government to protect and promote Guruwas in an organized way in Mid and
indigenous knowledge as Nepal is a Far western Terai. Every village appoints
signatory country to the CBD which has their Chief and Assistant Guruwa during
been implemented in Nepal since 22 Magh. Guruwas protect villagers from
February 1994. epidemics, insect bites, natural calamities,
etc. through Mantars and shaman
Tharu Indigenous Knowledge worships. Previously, there were Guruwas
who could treat 1600 diseases and 1800
Tharus have huge indigenous obstacles and evil planets. But researchers
knowledge on agro-farming, medical identified only 250 Mantars to treat 200
system, organizational system, folklores, diseases. Mantars are classified into 4
literatures, etc. which has evolved and groups. name, Gursawan Mantar, Main
passed down orally for generations. A text Manters, Duhai Khainchna Mantar and
general list of 19 areas of Tharu Song Mantar. Main text Mantar is also
indigenous knowledge is given below: divided into 8 sub-groups and each also
1. Baidawa system (Medicinal Plants) have another sub-groups.
2. Organisational system .
3. Guruwa system (Mantar) Massage is done by Sohrinyas who
4. Foods and Drinks also facilitate childbirth. In addition, skilful
5. Skill (Handicrafts and materials) men/women also do massage for stomach
6. Ornaments and attires pain, nerve dislocation, bone sprain, etc.
7. Culture (Rituals, festivals, etc.)
8. Architecture Baidawas provide herbal medicines.
9. Language and Literature There are around 70,000 species of
10. Sports and games medicinal plants in the world. 1500
11. Agriculture farming species are used in Nepal for different
12. Fish farming and hunting purposes like medicine, cooking, dyeing,
13. Land, forest and water management: etc. Among them, 150 species have
14. Mahutya (Elephant Driving) special economic importance. Within the 6
15. Developing Immune against Malaria research districts, 320 species of medicinal
16. Traditional Birth Attendance (Sohrinya) plants are used by Tharus. This number
17. Massage will increase if further investigation is
18. Animal Farming carried out from east Jhapa to west
19. Folk song and folklores Kanchanpur. Using these singly or mixed,
253 varieties of juices are used, 186 types
This research focuses only on three of pastes, 73 kinds of powders, 35 types of
types indigenous knowledge namely, decoctions and 223 varieties of ashes are
used as and when required.

2

Tharu foods and drinks The topmost body is the General
Being tropical, there is a perennial Assembly (Khyala), which meets annually
problem of epidemic diseases in Terai and in Magh to elect/select the leader. The
Inner Terai. So, Tharus have a tradition of Barghariya leads village, implements
eating food which protect them from decisions made by the Khyala and takes
epidemic diseases like malaria, cholera, up judicial, development, ritual works and
etc. and also reduce body temperature. administrative roles. The Kulapani
They also drink wine and liquor which give Chaudhary is also elected and leads all
relief from snake, scorpion and insect managerial, execution, planning work, etc.
bites. with relation to dams, cannels and other
irrigation works.
Researchers identified 309 food items,
eight rice liquors and four varieties of The uppermost post in the family
wines. Since the main occupation is organizational system is the Gardhuriya
growing rice, wheat, maize, soybean, who leads the household and has the
mustard oil, etc. the basic food revolves ultimate decision making authority. The
around these items. Tharu drinks are wife of the Gardhuriya automatically
classified into two groups, namely, wine becomes the Gardhurniya and mostly
and liquor (Jand). Wine is consumed leads the women. Next is the Bhansariya
during festivals and rituals whereas rice who is the main cook of the household and
liquors are consumed on a regular or daily is appointed on a monthly/bi-monthly
basis. rotation basis. At the bottom are
Kamalahriya, Larka Kheluiya (child taker)
Most Tharu food and drinks have been and other four footed animal herdsmen etc.
developed and used by only by Tharus They are appointed during Magh for one
themselves. Items like Dhikri, Khariya, year and are paid in terms of rice grains
Kapwa, Kanjwa, Mar, Jhajhara do not and one or two sets of clothing.
match with other communities. Tharu food
is divided into cold, hot and harmful during The Tharu Agro-farming manpower is
infection. Cold food like rice gruel (Mar), supplied from the family and if this is
Rice Liquor (Jand) etc. reduce body insufficient, it is taken from outside.
temperature. Hot food like Ghonghi (snail), External labourers are called Kamaiya,
pork, ginger, wine etc. increase body Bukrahi, cowherd, buffalo herd, Lahrenwa,
temperature. During an eye infection, etc. The chief of this organization is called
snake gourd, pigeon, garlic, fish and brinjal Kisanwa and his wife is Kisninya. Kisanwa
become food harmful during infection. The is the chief of Agriculture farming.
Tharus also have a list of which food mixes
best with other food items and those that Social Exclusion & Indigenous
become harmful or poisonous when mixed. Knowledge of Tharu
Tharu Organizational System Issues of social exclusion of the Tharu
Each indigenous group have their own Indigenous People
type of organizational system to regulate Social Exclusion: Tharus have been
community work. Tharus too, have an old, the victims of social exclusion due to
genuine and indigenous organizational Hinduised government policies, caste
system that has evolved to regulate their based discrimination, exploiting role and
main profession, i.e., agriculture. The behaviour of political parties and low
organizational system is divided into 4 economic capital. According to Bourdieu,
groups namely, Barghariya (village there are four types of capitals - namely
leadership by Barghariya), Kulapani social capital - family inheritance and
Chaudhary (irrigation led by Kulapani network; symbolic capital- reputation and
Chaudhary) Family (household led by honour; cultural capital- intellectual and
Gardhuriya) and Agriculture (agro-farming educational qualification; and economic
led by Kisanwa). capital- ownership of property, stock and
shares. Though Tharu population in

3

Tharuhat is quite large, they are than 1500 have Bachelor’s degree.
marginalized in terms of all four capitals. School drop out rate is very high. The
This has deprived the Tharus of the budget, teachers and materials
opportunities to develop and prosper within provided by the DEO to Tharu schools
their own indigenous system and also has is insufficient. There are more than 225
had a negative impact on their indigenous high schools, + 2 colleges and
knowledge and practices. campuses in the 6 research districts
but only 6 Tharu principals, and a few
a. Identity exclusion: The Second Tharu teachers.
Amendment of Interim constitution of f. Employment exclusion: The profile
Nepal announced Tharuhat/Terai as of the 6 research districts shows that
Madhes, but due to strong protests, there are only 2 Tharus in the officer
there was a third amendment. level post in civil service. There are
However, Terai and Inner Terai have less than 30 Tharu officers in the police
still not been accepted as Tharuhat and and army.
the mainstream political parties have g. Active exclusion: Muluki Ain 1990 and
not accepted the identity of Tharus as 2020 and all the constitutions of Nepal
the original inhabitants of the Tharuhat are the main instruments for active
region due to caste based exclusion against indigenous people as
discrimination and political deprivation. these were based on the caste
b. Identity loss: Passive social principles of the Hindu religion and
discrimination against Tharus has force one religion, one language and
created such a negative environment one dress. The decentralization Acts,
that those living in Dang valley hesitate local body Acts and rules, community
to speak their mother tongue in public, forest Acts, etc. are other instruments
to eat pig and rat meat and Ghonghi in that have displaced the indigenous
common places. They are slowly losing Tharu people.
their identity and cultural capital. h. Loss of symbolic capital: The
c. Economic exclusion: There are many Barghariya and Kulapani Chaudhary
cases where the high caste people organisations have very clear and
have snatched land and cash from effective roles in village leadership,
Tharus. Some Tharus have also lost development, protection and promotion
their land due to illiteracy. This has of culture and unity etc. But these roles
been possible mainly because the are becoming less effective, and even
political and military power and civil useless. Thus, the system and people
services was and still is under the are losing respect, importance and
control of the higher caste people. Most facilities, due to acute Maoist pressure,
industries and trade are also controlled market and technology development,
by people of Indian and Hill origin. globalization and emergence of
d. Political and power exclusion: alternative organizational systems.
Tharus have very weak access to i. Negligible socio-political
political power centres and are limited participation: The participation of
to village level network. The present Tharus at all levels of political
central executive bodies of CPN Maoist processes is negligible. 90% VDC
and CPN UML do not have a single chairs have non-Tharus and the vice-
Tharu representation. The Nepali chairs (just symbolic) have Tharus.
Congress and RPP have negligible 95% DDC posts have non-Tharus and
representation. The Madhesi Forum is 5% have been given to Tharus as
for Madhesis, not for Tharus. Thus, token. In the parliament, 18, 12 and 7
Tharus have no political decision Tharu MPs were elected in 2047, 2051
making power and/or have no access and 2056 B.S. out of 265 posts. The
in political power centres. representation has decreased from
e. Educational exclusion: Total
population of Tharu in the 6 research
districts is 764,029. Of these, less than
200 Tharu have Master’s degree, less
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6.79% in 2047 to 2.64%1 in 2056. The and are also more educated than
representation of Tharus in the Tharus; therefore, they have more
ministers' cabinet is just as poor and influence. Migrant people mostly dislike
they have weak portfolios. The political the norms and values of Tharu
presence of Tharu is limited to village indigenous organizations and normally
and area level committees. ignore them in all the decision
processes. Therefore, there is a high
j. Inability to influence: Tharu degree of exclusion of Tharu
organizations, civil societies and CBOs indigenous organisations.
have raised local and national level It can be clearly seen that in areas
issues within the given legal where the Tharu population is a
frameworks, but have not been able to majority, the indigenous practices of
influence policies, Acts and rules. They Guruwa still flourish, like in Bardiya,
have made demands to provide legal Kailali, Banke and Deukhuri. However,
authority to their indigenous places like Dang Surkhet and
organizations and provide first rights on Kanchanpur, where Tharus are a
land, water and all kinds of natural minority, have lost a lot of their
resources as mentioned in ILO traditions. According to the Guruwas
convention 169 and UN Declaration, 25% villages have stopped doing the
but these have mostly gone unheard. yearly common worships and 75%
villages have stopped the Barka Pooja.
Social Exclusion and Tharu Only 25% villages are doing it with full-
Indigenous Knowledge and fledged efforts. This means that the
Practices indigenous Tharu medicinal system is
losing its significance.
a. Social exclusion due to
Though non-Tharus do not believe
migration/mixed community: Tharus
in the Guruwa system they believe in
were a majority of the population 53
witches and wizards. There are many
years ago. After the Malaria
stories especially in eastern Nepal of
eradication, settlement of ex-army in
non-Tharus mis-behaving with Tharus
the borders of Nepal and India started.
due to this.
Now they comprise only 35% of the
b. Political exclusion of medicinal
total population in average and have
system: The indigenous Tharu
become a minority in their own land.
medicinal system is not recognised by
The Nepalese government provided
the government and therefore, does not
land in Mid and far western Terai to
receive any support. Government and
landlords of Hill people. However, the
NGO programmes and policies
landless Tharus, did not get anything.
emphasise on allopathic medicinal
Both the Indian and Hill migrants do
system and western based education
not accept the indigenous Tharu
and these have lowered the
systems and refuse to follow it. This
dependency on the Baidawa system
defuses indigenous knowledge. New
and knowledge. Thus, there are less
migrants do not understand or value
knowledgeable persons in this field and
this knowledge and discourage people
less people are interested in taking up
to use it. New migrants also do not
this practice. In the process, indigenous
participate in the Tharu customs.
knowledge is being lost.
Therefore, every year, Tharus face
c. Political exclusion of Barghariya
problems from them during common
system: Barghariya system takes up
worships.
the leadership, judicial, planning &
The Hill and Indian migrants are
development, ritual, administrative and
more powerful and wealthy. They have
unity role. However, it does not have a
direct access to government offices;
legal and political recognition. The
have leading role in political parties;
government has established a legally
1 recognised political system that elects
Gurbaba, 2007, year - 1, No. 1, January-April,
pp-13-14, Kathmandu: Tharu Intellectual and
a ward chair and a VDC body.
National Research Centre (TINRC Nepal).
5

Therefore, the Barghariya system loses Irrigation Act displaces Kulapani
its importance. Chaudhary. On the other hand non-
d. Exclusion through armed conflict: Tharus have taken the decision making
The armed conflict in Nepal from 2052 posts and roles though Tharu
B.S. to 2062 B.S. greatly damaged the Chaudhary are the pioneers and
Bargharia, Kulapani, Guruwa and the founders of irrigation system in whole
Baidawa systems because they could Tharuhat region. Tharus have already
not provide their services. All four faced resisted against such active exclusion
persecution by both the Maoists and have issued many press releases and
the Nepalese Army. Baidawas could done group discussions and workshops
not collect medicinal plants from the but their voices have not been heard by
forests, thus leading to less practice policy making bodies.
and less knowledge. Tharus were f. NGOs and government offices:
afraid to become Bargharias or NGOs and Government offices have
Kulapani Chaudharies for fear of not played a positive role in the
questioning and torture. The facilities promotion and development of Tharu
and social respect provided by villagers indigenous knowledge and
to the leaders of the systems were cut organisations. In the beginning, they
off forcefully. The Maoist political take the help of Barghariya to collect
doctrine created class divisions and information but later, they implement
destroyed the unity of the Tharus. their activities without informing or
e. Exclusion through government consulting them. This is happening
policy: Guruwas are priests of the because there is no provision about the
Tharu community but are not roles and responsibilities of Indigenous
recognised by the government whereas organizations, though it is very clear
Brahmins priests are recognised and that they could be very effective for
given facilities. identification, prioritization,
The government has no policy, plan implementation, regular monitoring and
or budget to protect, promote and supervision and repair & maintenance if
develop Tharu medicinal system or needed. Most NGOs working in the 6
ensure equity sharing among the research districts target Tharus and
indigenous communities. India has a work for them but always ignore the
clear policy and many herbal Tharu community organizations. The
companies are produce and supply same is the case of government
herbal medicines all over the world. In offices.
Nepal, Herbal Production and g. Lack of market access: Out of the
Purification Company was registered in 309 types of food items, many have
2038 B.S., but is to be liquidated. great possibility of being sold in the
Organisations, 5 star hotels, etc. use market and could be a reliable and
indigenous handicrafts, artefacts and regular source of income. However,
food items to make profit but there is no Tharus sell only rice, wheat, maize,
equity sharing. mustard seed and different types of
There is not a single legal provision lintel and pulse and have no market
for the protection, promotion and access and prices are fixed by
development of indigenous knowledge. businessmen. But now days, some
Nepal government has already Tharu households have started to sell
ratified many international treaties and vegetable and fruit items also.
declarations but till this date, it has h. Ownership registration and equity
never provided any legal authority to sharing/deprivation from patent
indigenous organizational system. This right: In a globalized world it is
is active social exclusion. The important to preserve indigenous
Constitution of Nepal and different Acts identity and have an equity share. This
and rules have displaced the Tharu can be done if the indigenous people
organization system. For example, register their ownership in WTC. But till
election of VDCs and ward level this date, Tharu community and/or
displaces Barghariya system; and particular Tharu people have not been
6

able to register their intellectual and d. Amendment of all decentralization Acts,
indigenous knowledge in WTC. local body Acts and rules, community
i. Internal exclusion through forest Acts, etc. that have displaced the
indiscipline: Some prominent indigenous Tharu people.
Guruwas drink wine and rice liquors in e. Legal provision for Tharu language,
excess. Like-wise, some feel that they literature, culture, etc. protection,
are superior to everyone else and have promotion and development.
very rough behaviour. They have thus
lost their symbolic and social capital in Recommendations for protecting
the eyes of their own people and of the Tharu Indigenous Knowledge and
other migrants. practices
j. Internal exclusion through gender a. The indigenous knowledge of the
bias: We interviewed 101 Guruwa Tharus is slowly disappearing. So, the
during 2 year period, but not a single first step is to document all Tharu
one had taught Mantar to females as indigenous knowledge.
they feel that they will become witches b. Indigenous knowledge needs to be
and harm others. So, Tharu Mantars protected, promoted and developed
and Guruwa system is completely male jointly by the government and
dominated and gender biased. indigenous people. Government needs
k. Internal exclusion in learning to provide legal authority, protection,
process: An internal cause of losing technical manpower, legal institutions
this knowledge is the belief of the and financial resources. And
Baidawas that sharing their knowledge indigenous communities need to
will result in decreasing the sustain and translate it into their daily
effectiveness of medicinal plants. So life for developing their social,
they are reluctant to share their economic and symbolic capital.
knowledge and it literally dies with c. Registration of indigenous knowledge
them. in WTC is also another important step
l. Internal exclusion in knowledge to attain economic capital.
protection: Both the Barghariya and d. The Nepalese government has to
the Kulapani Chaudhary organizations create Acts, Laws or by-laws in relation
do not have written and defined rules to ILO Convention 169 and other
and responsibilities. Very few maintain treaties which were ratified.
written minutes and statement of e. The Tharu community have a big
income and expenditure. There is no inventory of indigenous knowledge of
organized system to share experiences medicinal plants, mantars, foods and
collectively. drinks, organization system, etc. The
m. Internal exclusion due to lack of Tharus need to take patent rights and
capacity: Barghariya system is locally the government has to provide
very effective indigenous organization, authority to do so.
but is not equipped to contribute to the f. Amendment of such Acts and legal
programmes of NGOs and government. provisions is required as these are an
instrument of active exclusion against
Recommendations for social inclusion indigenous people.
a. Creation of an inclusive policy to g. Indigenous people need to be trained
ensure that Tharus are included in with modern technologies to help them
government, army and police services adapt and improve the quality of their
and in education also. medicinal system, products and
b. Creation of an inclusive policy to have services.
proportionate representation in all h. Detailed study of all kinds of indigenous
centres of political power and knowledge is essential in order to
government authority. identify strengths and weaknesses,
c. Amendment of Interim Constitution of opportunities and threats, roles and
Nepal to specify Tharuhat Autonomous responsibilities of local people and
State. indigenous people, rights and duties of

7

government and state mechanisms, legal certificates to continue their
etc. The documentation of indigenous practice.
knowledge is required its protection, c. The government needs to establish an
promotion and sustainable authorized institution that can provide
development. technical, managerial and legal support
and also help to promote and maintain
the quality of the services provided by
the Tharu medical system.
Recommendations for Protecting d. Government needs to prepare clear
policies, rules and allocate sufficient
Tharu organizational system
budget for the study, documentation
a. It is essential provide legal authority to
and publication of indigenous
the Barghariya and Kulapani
knowledge.
Chaudhary organizations to accelerate
e. There is a need to establish a Tharu
community development activities and
medicinal plant production and
basic services.
purification company which will provide
b. A Barghariya Network can be
employment, market value for Tharu
developed at VDC, Ilaka, District,
medicinal system. Support from the
Regional as well as Central levels.
government is needed to provide the
c. Capacity building and empowerment is
Baidawas with capacity building
necessary for organizational
training and use of modern
development and sustainability
equipments.
especially in the areas of leadership,
f. Establishing a Tharu Medicinal
office management, documentation,
Practitioners Network is a high priority.
minute keeping, motivation and
Guruwas requested for help to build
communication, legal rights, civil rights
different levels of networking to
and human rights as well as indigenous
increase their strength.
ethnic rights. This is necessary to
empower the indigenous people.
d. Providing legal authority of Recommendations for Protecting
representation in VDCs, DDCs and Indigenous Tharu Foods and Drinks
Municipalities. Tharu foods and drinks are those items
which are produced in Terai and Inner
Recommendations for Protecting Terai and are consumed by Indigenous
Tharus. Under this research, it is listed 309
Tharu Medical System
varieties of foods and basically 2 types of
Under Tharu medical system, three
drinking items. Some recommendations
basic types of knowledge are in practice,
are:
namely, Tharu Mantars, Medicinal plants
a) There is an urgent need to document
and Massage. However, the quality,
the detailed procedure for preparing
quantity and frequency of using Tharu
each specific type of food and drinks.
medical system is decreasing due to
b) An institute needs to be established to
internal and external causes. Some
protect, promote and develop Tharu
recommendations are:
foods and drinks. It should be led and
a. The knowledge of the Tharu medical
managed by indigenous Tharus. This
practitioners is passed on individually
institute will also address issues of
to interested people through oral
identity, ownership and benefit sharing
transmission. There is a lack of legal
in accordance to international
institution (school) and written text
conventions.
through which the knowledge of the
c) Tharus, have theories about the nature
Guruwas, Baidawas and Sohrinyas can
of the food that they consume. Food
be passed on.
and drinks are categorised into cold,
b. The practitioners of Tharu Medical
hot, poisonous, harmful in particular
system do not have legal authority and
infections, etc. Scientific testing and
face problems from local police and
authentication of these theories needs
administration. So, there is a need to
to be done.
provide them with identity cards and

8

d) Currently, agro-product price of Tharus Tharus across the country
is determined by businessmen not by (practitioners as well as common
farmers due to the lack of market people). The process also requires
access. Market access needs to be expertise input from fields of law,
developed. politics, policy, management,
communication, development, patent
rights, environment, forest etc.
c) Tharus need to establish museums and
Recommendations for addressing centres for cultural resources in order
internal weaknesses of Tharus to promote their culture and develop
a) Tharus need to unite and give pressure local tourism. This could generate a lot
to all individuals, local authorities, of financial resources and establish
companies, institutions, civil society, their identity.
etc. to address their issues and d) Tharu medical practitioners need to
implement all international conventions professionalize and modernize their
ratified by the government. This will services.
have long term benefits in building the e) Tharus need to address gender
cultural, social, economic, political and inequity within Tharu organisations.
symbolic capital. f) Tharus need to develop and organised
b) Tharus need to take responsibility for system to share experiences
the protection, promotion and collectively.
development continuation and g) Tharu indigenous organisations need to
documentation of their indigenous take the initiative to build their
knowledge and practices in a capacities and provide effective
sustainable way. This requires strategic services to NGOs and government in
planning and resource generation, supervising and monitoring their
which in turn requires a participatory projects at minimum cost.■
approach that includes input from

9

Annex
Tree chart of Indigenous Knowledge sub-topics
Indigenous
Knowledge of
Tharu

Medical Organization Food and
system al system drinks

Baidawa Guruwa Barghariya Chaudhary Family Orgn Agriculture Foods Drinks
system System Orgn Orgn Orgn

Baidawa Deshbandhya Ass. Ass. Gardhuriya Kisanwa Vegetarian Rice Liquor
Guruwa Barghariya Chaudhary food

Guruwa Kesauka Garghuriya Barghariya Gardhurinya Panherwa Foods Wine
Guruwa

Sohrinya Ghar Guruwa Chirakya Kisanwa Bhansariya Aguwa Vegetables
Kamaiya

Dhahrariya Chaukidar Helpers Bhitariya Pachhuwa Non-veg.
Guruwa Kamaiya Foods

General Kamlahriya Women Meat
Guruwa

Other Buffalo Fish
Members Heard, etc.

2

The Tharu Medical System


Guruwa System Baidawa System Massage System

Practitioners Practitioners Practitioners
- Deshbandhya
- Kesauka - Baidawa - Sohrinya
- Ghar Guruwa - Guruwa - Practitioners
- Dhahrariya Guruwa - Sohrinya (man/women)
- General Guruwa

Spell diagnostic Check sick people Look effected part,
sacred Mantars and and study about compare with other
uses rice grains or causes of illness same part and lay
Kain and oil lamp hand on

Diagnostic Process
completes

Curative work starts

Spell curative Provides Medicine Does Massage
sacred Mantars and and prohibits to eat using mustered oil,
do worship or oily, chilly, spicily and home made wine,
sacrifice some else sour things turmeric, etc.

Feedback Collection

3

Classification of the Tharu Medical System
Classification of

GuruwaSystem Baidawa System Massage System

Practitioners Practitioners Practitioners

Deshbandhya Baidawa Sohrinya
Guruwa

Kesauka Guruwa Guruwa Male Practitioners

Ghar Guruwa Sohrinya Female
Practitioners

Dhahrariya
Guruwa

General Guruwa

4

Types of Mantars

Tharu
Mantars

Gursawa Main Duhai Song
n Mantar Text Khainchn Mantar
Mantar a Mantar

Diagnosis Curing Worshipin Defending Offending Debating Protectin Affair During During
Mantars Mantars g Mantars Mantars Mantars Mantars g Mantars Mantars worshipin Curing
g

Diagnosis Only Home Visible Debating
by Rice Mantars Worship Offending with
grains juniors

Diagnosis Mantars Common Non- Debating
by Kain and Worship visible with
Medicine Offending witches

Eventual Debating
worship with
Others

5

Social Inclusion Research Fund (SIRF): An Introduction
As a follow-up to an assessment of Norwegian support to NGOs in Nepal (2001), the Royal
Norwegian Embassy, Kathmandu, envisaged a need to stimulate further research on
processes of national building, social exclusion and poverty, and the role of the civil society in
Nepal. As per the report titled “Social Exclusion and Nation building – Assessment of
prospects for enhancing the role of research and research institutions in Nepal” (June 2003),
the Government of Nepal and Royal Norwegian Embassy at Kathmandu, agreed in 2005, to
establish a Research Fund and support research cooperation between a Norwegian and a
Nepali research institution to carry out research on issues of social exclusion. SNV Nepal was
invited to manage the research fund.

The main objectives of the Social Inclusion Research Fund (SIRF) are as follows:

Produce high quality and critical research on causes of social exclusion in Nepal and ways
to accommodate and manage diversity.
Make social science research more relevant to excluded and disadvantaged groups and
their agendas.
Ensure that research more effectively contributes to policy and public debate and a
deliberative democratic process

A total of 25 Research Fellowships were awarded in 2006 and 2007. A total of 150
Apprenticeship Grants have been awarded in 2006 and 2007. Two Norwegian research
institutions and five Nepali research institutions are cooperating in carrying out research and
have published eight research papers.

SIRF is in the process of carrying out policy dialogue with the political party leaders,
government agencies and civil society organisation through dissemination of critical discourse
related to the outcome of the research programme, as well as allowing for advocacy groups to
“take back” and use the research results for their own purpose. SIRF is also working with
political party leaders and Constituent Assembly (CA) members to make the Constitution more
inclusive.

The Government of Nepal is initiating the process of making the Fund an independent
autonomous body under the new law to be enacted by parliament.

Social Inclusion Research Fund (SIRF)
Secretariat, SNV Nepal
Bakhundole, Lalitpur, P.O. Box 1966, Kathmandu, Nepal
Telephone: +977-[0] 1-5523444, Telefax: +977-[0] 1-5523155
E-mail: info@socialinclusion.org.np, Website: www.socialinclusion.org.np; www.snvworld.org

6

Tharu knowledge And Practices

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