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Concept
Damai
Summary
Damai (दमाइँ) is an occupational caste found among Khas people. They comprise 45 subgroups. Their surnames take after the subgroup they belong to. People belonging to this caste are traditionally tailors and musicians. They are adept at using the naumati baja- an ensemble of nine traditional musical instruments. Damai is coined from musical instrument Damaha. The 1854 Nepalese Muluki Ain (Legal Code) categorized Damai as "Lower caste” category. Thus, the tribal designation of Khas is given only in few context to Kami, Damai and Sarki due to traditional status.
Due to many caste-based discriminations in Nepal, the government of Nepal legally abolished the caste-system and criminalized any caste-based discrimination, including "untouchability" (the ostracism of a specific caste) - in the year 1963 A.D. With Nepal's step towards freedom and equality, Nepal, previously ruled by a Hindu monarchy was a Hindu nation which has now become a secular state, and on 28 May 2008, it was declared a republic, ending it as the Hindu Kingdom with its caste-based discriminations and the untouchability roots.
According to the 2021 Nepal census, Damai make up 1.94% of Nepal's population (or 565,932 people). Damai are categorized under "Hill Dalit" among the 9 broad social groups, along with Kami, Badi, Sarki and Gaine by the Government of Nepal.
At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, the frequency of Damai by province was as follows:
Karnali Province (4.0%)
Gandaki Province (3.9%)
Sudurpashchim Province (2.6%)
Lumbini Province (1.9%)
Koshi Province (1.8%)
Bagmati Province (1.4%)
Madhesh Province (0.2%)
The frequency of Damai was higher than national average (1.8%) in the following districts:
Parbat (7.5%)
Myagdi (5.8%)
Kalikot (5.1%)
Dailekh (5.0%)
Baglung (4.7%)
Doti (4.6%)
Surkhet (4.6%)
Mustang (4.4%)
Bajura (4.2%)
Jajarkot (4.0%)
Lamjung (3.9%)
Dadeldhura (3.8%)
Gulmi (3.7%)
Kaski (3.7%)
Syangja (3.7%)
Western Rukum (3.7%)
Rolpa (3.6%)
Humla (3.5%)
Tanahun (3.4%)
Okhaldhunga (3.3%)
Arghakhanchi (3.2%)
Eastern Rukum (3.2%)
Mugu (3.
Official source
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Related concepts (17)
Sarki (ethnic group)
Sarki/Mijar (सार्की) is an occupational caste in Nepal traditionally belonging to leather workers. They are found in the region of the Himalayas, Nepal, across the hills of Darjeeling & Kalimpong and in Terai area of Dooars. They are experts in playing their musical instrument "Madal" and performing dance in a group which is also called “Khayali Marooni”. According to the 2021 Nepal census, Sarki makes up 1.55% of Nepal's population (452,229 people). Sarki are referred to in the Nepali and Thakali languages.
Kami (caste)
Kami ) is an Indo-Aryan Nepali speaking group that primarily worked as metalsmiths. Later Nepal abolished its grading system. The tribal designation of Khas is given in only a few contexts. the Government of Nepal legally abolished the caste-system and criminalized any caste-based discrimination, including "untouchability" (the ostracism of a specific caste) - in the year 1963 A.D. With Nepal's step towards freedom and equality, Nepal, previously ruled by a Hindu monarchy was a Hindu nation which has now become a secular state, and on 28 May 2008, it was declared a republic, ending it as the Hindu Kingdom.
Koshi Province
Koshi Province (कोशी प्रदेश) is the autonomous easternmost province adopted on 20 September 2015 by Constitution of Nepal. The province is rich in natural resources, tourist attractions, recreational activities, and natural beauty. The province covers an area of 25,905 km2, about 17.5% of the country's total area. With the industrial city of Biratnagar as its capital, the province covers other major eastern towns including Birtamod, Birat Chowk, Damak, Dharan, Itahari, Triyuga and Mechinagar and includes several mountains including the Everest, Kangchenjunga, and Ama Dablam.