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. 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 The 1854 Nepalese Muluki Ain (Legal Code) categorized Sarki as a category. Sarki is categorized under "Hill Dalit" among the 9 broad social groups, along with Damai, Badi, Kami and Gaine by the Government of Nepal. At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, 374,816 people (1.4% of the population of Nepal) were Sarki. The frequency of Sarki by province was as follows: Gandaki Province (4.1%) Karnali Province (2.6%) Sudurpashchim Province (1.7%) Lumbini Province (1.5%) Bagmati Province (1.3%) Koshi Province (1.0%) Madhesh Province (0.1%) The frequency of Sarki was higher than national average (1.4%) in the following districts: Gorkha (7.6%) Jumla (7.1%) Parbat (6.7%) Arghakhanchi (6.1%) Baglung (5.6%) Lamjung (5.3%) Bajura (5.0%) Dhading (4.8%) Gulmi (4.8%) Dadeldhura (4.5%) Tanahun (4.3%) Pyuthan (4.2%) Syangja (4.0%) Sindhuli (3.6%) Myagdi (3.4%) Kalikot (3.2%) Palpa (3.2%) Dailekh (3.1%) Ramechhap (3.1%) Okhaldhunga (2.9%) Dolpa (2.8%) Khotang (2.8%) Udayapur (2.6%) Kaski (2.5%) Doti(2.4%) Surkhet (2.4%) Bhojpur (2.3%) Humla (2.3%) Bajhang (2.