The Rai, also known as the Khambu(people of Khumbu region). They are one of Nepal's most ancient indigenous ethnolinguistic groups. The Rai(Khambu) belong to the Kirati group or the Kirat confederation that includes the Limbu, the Sunuwar, Yakkha Dhimal, Koche, Meche,Hayu ethnic groups. According to Professor Dor Bahadur Bista(anthropologist,Tribhuvan University) and late Professor Suniti Kumar Chatterji(linguist and Kiratologist,Calcutta university)Kirats migrated from east via north Burma and Assam along the mid-hills(lower mountains) along with their pigs in ancient times.(ref.30,31). According to Prof. Suniti Kumar Chatterji(linguist and kiratologist) and other prominent linguists,Rai,Limbu,and Dhimal languages are Pronominalised(Austric/Kol influence)strongly indicating earliest migratory wave of these peoples compared to other Tibeto-Burmans whose languages are non-pronominalised.(ref.31) The traditional homeland of the Rai(Khambu) extends across Solukhumbu,Okhaldhunga (Wallo Kirat or Near Kirat), home of the Bahing,Wambule subgroups), Khotang, Bhojpur and the Udayapur districts (Majh Kirat or Central Kirat),home of Bantawa,Chamling etc. in the northeastern hilly/mountainous region of Nepal, west of the Arun River in the Sun Koshi River watershed. Rais are also found in significant numbers in the Indian state of Sikkim and in the northern West Bengal towns of Kalimpong and Darjeeling. [edit] Description According to Nepal's 2001 census, there are 635,751 Rai(Khambu) in Nepal which represents 2.79% of the total population. Of this number, 70.89% declared themseleves as practising the traditional (Kiranti/Kirant) religion and 25.00% declared themselves as Hindu. Yakkha were measured as a separate ethnic group of which 81.43% were Kirant and 14.17% were Hindu.[1] The Rai are divided into many different sub-groups - Bantawa, Chamling, Sampang, Dumi, Jerung, Kulung, Khaling, Lohorung, Mewahang, Rakhali, Thulung,Tamla, Tilung, Wambule, Yakkha, Yamphu, Sunuwar, Jero (Jerung) , etc. Some groups number only a few hundred members. The languages together with the traditional religion of the Rai is known as Kirant. More than 32 different Kiranti languages and dialects are recognized within the Tibeto-Burman languages family.Their languages are Pronominalised Tibeto-Burman languages,indicating their antiquity. The oral language is rich and ancient, as is Kiranti history, but the written script remains yet to be properly organised as nearly all traces of it was destroyed by the next rulers of Nepal, The Lichhavis and almost eradicated by the Shah dynasty. The traditional Kiranti religion, predating Hinduism and Buddhism, is based on ancestor-worship and the placation of ancestor spirits through elaborate rituals governed by rules called Mundhum. Sumnima-Paruhang are worshipped as primordial parents. A major Rai holiday is the harvest festival, Nwogi, when fresh harvested foods are shared by all. The Bijuwa and Nakchhung (Dhami) or Priest plays an important role in Rai communities. They do not truly belong to the Caste system or Varna system although few have accepted the kshatriya status.Majority of Rai have never accepted Casteism and never adopeted a Caste(Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities and Nepal government have recognised this fact)(29) Because of the fiercely independent nature of the Rai community and its location at the eastern end of the consolidated Nepalese nation-state, the Rai were given exceptional rights of Kipat autonomy and land ownership in their homeland of Majh (middle) Kirant. Subsistence agriculture of rice, millet, wheat, corn and even cotton is the main occupation of the Rai although many Rai have been recruited into military service with the Nepali army and police, and the Indian and British Gurkha regiments and Singapore Police Force. Rai women decorate themselves lavishly with silver and gold coin jewellery. Marriage unions are usually monogamous and arranged by parents, although "love marriage",bride capture(in the past) and elopement are alternative methods. Music (traditional drums and string instruments: yele, binayo, murchunga, dhol and jhyamta), dance (Sakela or Sakewa dance) and distilled spirits (alcohol) called aaraakha, ngashi, or waasim are central to Rai culture. Sakela or Sakewa dance is the greatest religious festival of Kirant Rai. [edit] Kirat history and culture about the nepal. Nepal is a very ancient country, which was ruled by many dynasties in the past. Among them, the Kirat rule is taken as a very significant one, being the longest period that extended from pre-historic to historic period. In ancient Hindu scriptures, Nepal is referred as the "Kirat Desh" or "the Land of Kirats". When the 28th Kirat King Paruka was ruling in the valley, the Sombanshi ruler attacked his regime many times from the west. Although he successfully repelled their attacks, he was forced to move to Shankhamul from Gokarna. He had built a Royal Palace called "Patuka" there for himself. The Patuka Palace is no more to be seen, except its ruins in the form of mound. "Patuka" had changed Shankhamul into a beautiful town. The last King of the Kirat dynasty was Gasti. He proved to be a weak ruler and was overthrown by the Sombanshi ruler Nimisha. It brought to the end of the powerful Kirat dynasty that had lasted for about 1225 years. After their defeat, Kirats moved to the eastern hills of Nepal and settled down divided into small principalities. Their settlements were divided into three regions; namely, "Wallo-Kirant" or "near Kirant" that lay to the east of Kathmandu, "Majh-Kirat" or "central Kirat," and "Pallo-Kirat" that lay to the far east of the Kathmandu valley. These regions are still heavily populated by Kirats. Rai(Khambu) are the inhabitants of near and central Kirat. Although, they are also quite densely populated in "pallo-Kirat".[2] By religion, Kirats were originally nature worshippers. They worshipped the sun, the moon, rivers, trees, animals and stones. Their primeval ancestors are Paruhang and Sumnima. Hinduism was introduced to and imposed on the Kirats only after the conquest of Gorkhali rulers whose root was in India. Kirats were quite tolerant and liberal to other religions. That was why Buddhism flourished during the Kirat rule in Nepal. Buddhism had rekindled a new interest and attitude among the people. Kirats had also built many towns. Shankhamul, Matatirtha, Thankot, Khopse, Bhadgoan and Sanga were prosperous cities with dense population. Thus, it can be safely said that the Kirat period had paved the way for further development and progress of Nepal in all sectors in future. [edit] Famous Rais - In Rai communities, these Rai people are famous Rai personalities among Rai communities. Kirant Rai Yayokkha[1] [3]officially produces a list.
List of famous Rai people:-
- Dr.Pawan Kumar Chamling (Rai) - Chief Minister of Sikkim (Since 1994 till date), Poet Writer, Politician.
- Abhinai Rai(Bantawa-Chinangphong-Sipthungkha) - Kirati Culture/Tradition Researcher, writer, Namchi South Sikkim.
- Lain Singh Bangdel (Rai) - Artist, writer, Art Historian (Former Chancellor of the Royal Nepal Academy).
- Indra Bahadur Rai - Writer and author, founder of All India Nepali Bhasa Manyata Samiti(1961) & won several awards
- Ratna Kumar Bantawa - Revolutionary founder of Nepal communist party.
- Ram Prasad Rai - Revolutionary leader and Commander of 1950 AD/2007 BS revolution in east Nepal.
- Narad Muni Thulung - Former Acting Prime minister of Nepal & Cabinet minister(defence),Revolutionary Commander of Jan Mukti Sena 1950 AD(2007 BS)Revolution.Dr.Mani Kumar Rai--Member of Parliament (Upper House)
- Bal Bahadur Rai - Former acting Prime minister of Nepal & Cabinet Minister of Nepal, Central committee member of Nepali Congress Party.
- Nanda lal Rai, cabinet minister, Government of Bhutan
- Dr.Mani Kumar Rai--Member of Parliament (Upper House) in Bhutan
- Ashok Rai - Vice chairman, CPN(UML), former Cabinet minister, Nepal Govt.
- Gopal Rai - Former Minister and Central Committee member, Nepali Congress party.
- Dhyan Bahadur Rai - Former Minister, Nepal government, politician.
- Dewan Singh Rai- former minister and leader of Nepali Congress party.
- Karna Bahadur Rai - Former minister Nepal Govt., politician.
- Santa Bahadur Rai - Former chairman, National planning commission and Secretary, Ministry of Housing and physical planning.
- Makkar Bahadur Bantawa - Tri sakti patta 1st class, Gorkha Dakshin Bahu, 1st class, Former Bada Hakim and Zonal commissioner.
- Chand Bahadur Rai - former Chief(Insp. General) of Nepal Guptachar Bibhag (Nepal Intelligence Service)
- Brigadier General Bhim Prasad Rai - Nepal Army.
- Brigadier General Bijaya Chandra Rai - Nepal Army.
- AIGP Ram Kaji Bantawa - Former Additional Inspector General, Nepal police.
- DIGP Man Bahadur Rai - Nepal Police.
- DIGP Gyanendra Rai - Nepal police.
- Thule Rai - Superintendent of Police,Nepal police.
- Durja kumar Rai - DIGP, Nepal Armed Police force, a key team player of Nepal National volleyball team.
- Colonel Sidhiman RAI - MC, former Director-General(first non-British DG)of Assam Rifles.
- Captain Agan Sing Rai - VC (Victoria Cross), British Indian Army.
- Major Purne Rai - MC,OBE,DSO, only Gurkha ever to be awarded DSO.
- Major Bagdhan Rai,MC,OBE -Major British Gurkha Army,10GR.
- Major Mani Prasad Rai - MBE, 7 Gurkha Rifles.
- Major Deo Kumar Rai - MVO, MBE, 7 Gurkha Rifles.
- Major Bal Krishna Rai - MVO, MBE, Queen's Gurkha Signals.
- Captain Ran Dhoj Rai - QGO, MBE (Member of British Empire), British Gurkha Officer of 10 Queen's Gurkha Rifles. Education officer of British Gurkha Army. Commanding Gurkha officer of British Embassy of Afganisthan during cold war time.
- Dr Swami Prapannacharya, Ph.D. - in Vedas, Purans, Saskrit, prominent scholar in Vedas and Hinduism, Writer.
- Indra Bahadur Rai - Famous Writer, Honorary Ph D, Winner of Jagdamba puraskar(Madan Puraskar Guthi) and first winner of Indian Academy Prize in Nepali literature.
- Prof Dr Nobel Kishor Rai - Former Ambassodor to Germany, Professor and Linguist
- Prof Dr Indra Jit Rai - Military science expert, Professor
- Prof Dr Kanti Giri Rai - former Professor Gynaecology and Obstetrics,Institute of Medicine, KTM
- Dr Nabin Kumar Rai - Anthropologist and World Bank Consultant.
- Dr. Ajambar Rai - PhD in Agriculture
- Dr Nabin Chandra Rai - famous ophthalmologist.
- Dr Shankar man Rai - AMA(Americal MedicalAssociation)prize winner plastic surgeon.
- Dr Shanta man Rai, Ph D - Head of Geology Dept.,Trichandra college, Kathmandu, Nepal, Winner of RONAST prize. First class first in M Sc(Tribhuvan University).
- Mr Sambhu Rai - famous singer, political and social activist of 2036 – 2029 B.S.
- Mr Sabin Rai - popular singer.
- Mr Dhiraj Rai - popular pop singer. The singer, vocalist, song writer. Best singer among youths. Won several Awards.
- Mr Rajesh Payal Rai - popular singer. The best vocalist of Nepali songs. Received several Musical Awards.
- Mrs Sumaya Rai - Lecturer in Psychology, Tribhuvan University, President Kirant Rai Yayokkha, Nepal.
- Mr Bhim Rai - Chairman Kirant Rai Yayokkha, UK.
- Mr Narhang Rai - Chairman Kirant Rai Yayokkha, Hong Kong.
- Major Bhalaman Rai - (MVO) The Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment.
- Mr Pradip Kumar Rai (Byakul Maila) - Poet, writer, Nepali National Anthem Writer. Received several national awards.
- Mr Indra Bahadur Rai - very first Rai to scale summit of Mt Everest, famous mountaineer. He climbed to top of the Everest.
- Mr Nakul Das RAI, Member of Parliament, Indian Parliament, representing Sikkim.
- Subba Kriparam Rai - Maal ko Hakim, famous Community leader in East Nepal.
- Shrawan Mukarung (Rai) – Nepali Poet.
- Madan Rai,M Sc(UK) - Former UN Officer,International Ashoka Award winner.
- Dr Ash Kumar Rai,Ph D - RONAST( Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology) Prize winner.
- Balkrishna Rai - BEM along with MBE and MVO ( the only Gurkha officer to get all three medals).
- Gopal Khambu (Gopal Kiranti) - a leader of Khumbuwan Mukti Morcha, Minister of Nepal, central member of communist party Nepal
- Bulu Mukarung - Senior Nepali Musician and song writer.
- Ganesh Rasik - Singer Songwriter, former GM of Rastriya Nachghar.
- Dr. Kumar Rai – Medical doctor in USA.
- Major Bagdhan Rai,MC,OBE -Major British Gurkha Army,10GR.
- Tanka Bahadur Rai - speaker of Assam legislative assembly.
- Parbati Rai - female Singer.
- Satyakala Rai - female Singer.
- Mr Yogendra Rai - CEO of Nauleni Group.
- Raj Kumar Rai - best Taekwondo player of Nepal who made Taekwondo popular in Nepal and British Gurkha Regiments.
- Naba Raj Rai - "Bartman" book writer and Author.
- Thaneswor Rai - very first president, chief instructor and founder of Nepal Shitoriyo Karate and Nepal Karate Association.
- Shrawan Mukarung Rai - popular and the best modern nepali poet.
- Dr. Dina Bangdel (Rai) - Artist, famous Art critic, Art historian & Author, daughter of Lain Singh Bangdel, Professor.
- Naren Rai (Entrepreneur) - General Secretary of Nauleni Group, Multi millionaire, MBA From University of Boston.
- Kul Bahadur Rai(MBE) - former Head Teacher,Hong Kong, former president of Kiranta Rai Yayokkha, Nepal.
- Dr. Krishna Kumar Rai(Medical doctor) - received Distinguished Community Medical Service Awards 2002 from the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics.
- Kuber Rai - Best singer and vocalist, song writer of Nepali songs.
- Prof. Dr. Shiba Kumar Rai - Microbiologist,Nepal Medical College.
- Dr. Kalyani Rai(Ph.D) - Center for Urban Community Development, School of Continuing Education, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, USA.
- Parbati Rai - Singer, Sagarmatha Yuba Samaj, Diktelbata Samman(2056), "Nepalai Jane Nepali Daju..." (Radio Nepal, 2053)
- Prabin Puma(Parashuram Rai) - stage actor, writer,Utkristha Nabapratibha Samman(2059), Subhakamana(Kabita,Dharan Sahitik Patrika, 2054). Lots of recording in Nepali songs.
- C.B. Rai - First lay(non-clergy) Principal of St. Joseph's College (University Section), North Point, Darjeeling, India.
- Deo Prakash Rai - First Gorkhali Cabinet Minister of West Bengal, India.
- Sharad Kumar Rai - Former Director General, Department of Forestry and Soil Conservation, Nepal
[edit] See also [edit] References - Kirant History, Story, Grammer and Font download from www.limbulibrary.com: [2]
- History of Kirants, online book from www.limbulibrary.com.np [3]
- Kirant Period in Nepal, Kirant history from www.infoclub.com.np [4]
- CIA Fact Book Record:[5]
- Rastriya Janajati Bikas Samiti:[6]
- Nepal Ethnographic Museum:[7]
- Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities,Nepal:[8]
- Bista, Dor Bahadur(2004). People of Nepal. Kathmandu: Ratna Pustak Bhandar.
- Kirant Rai Bantawa Language, most speaking Kirant rai language: [9]
- Kirant Wambule and Jero language:[10]
- Kiranti Languages:[11]
- Kirant Rai and Limbu:[12]
- The Kirant Rai Association's Web Portal:[13]
- Article about origin of Sakela or Sakewa dance & festival:[14]
- Kirant Religion Oral Text (Mundhum): [15]
- Kirant Mundhum: [16]
- Kirant Rai ko Mundhum by Bal Krishna Mukarung(2007)
- Kirant Rai Yayokkha Nepal: [*Kirant Rai Chamling: [17]
- Kirant Rai Association, USA: [18]
- United Kirant Rai, USA: [19]
- Kirant Rai Yayokkha United Kingdom (Britain): [20]
- Akhil Kirant Rai Sangh Sikkim, India: [21]
- Kirant Rai Kulung: [22]
- Kirant Rai Chamling: [23]
- Fatalism and development, by Prof Dor Bahadur Bista,publisher Orient Longman,1994.(30)
- Kiranta-Jana-Krti,by Prof Suniti Kumar Chatterji,Publisher The Asiatic Society,Calcutta,reprint 1998.(31)
[edit] External links - [24] Sakela Festival
- [25] www.kiratraiyayokkha.com - Kirat Rai Yayokkha Nepal.
- [26] www.kiratrai.org - Kirat Rai Yayokkha, Hong Kong.
- [27] www.kirat.us - Kirat Rai Society of America, USA.
- [28] www.kryuk.com - Kirat Rai Yayokkha UK, Britian.
- [29] www.unitedkiratrai.org - United Kirat Rai org, USA.
- [30] krsa.blogspot.com - Kirat Rai Society of America Blog.
- [31] www.kiratisaathi.com - Online kirat community.
- [32] www.akrssikkim.com - Akhil Kirat Rai Sikkim, India.
- [33] www.nefin.org.np - Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities.
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