Know more about Sunwar People

Where do they inhabit?
Sunuwar peoples’ ancient habitation is Eastern hilly regionof Nepal. The hilly landscape range of Likhu, Khimti, Sunkoshi and Bhotekoshi (Okhaldhunga, Ramechhap, Dolkha, Shindhuli, Khotang, Jhapaand Ilam Districts of Nepal) etc are the main habitation. Allmost allhouses in the village are made up of mud, stone and wood. Most traditional houses have artistic wooden windows and doors. Besides it,arts and crafts of mud, wood and stone etc are placed on the walls and corners in their traditional house. These days, Sunuwar peoples are migrating from village to city, Hills to Terai for the search of facilities like modern education, hospital, electricity, communication,transportation and entertainment etc that makes the life easier. Many Sunuwar peoples are migrating in the cities like Kathmandu, Dharan,Biratnagar, Itahari, Katari etc and even outside the country like India, China, United Kingdom, USA, Canada, Australia etc. Actually in modern days, Sunuwar peoples are not only limited in their ancient-village but also they are raoming all over the world.

Tribal Language [Koich-Lo]
Sunuwar Peoples have their own tribal language calledSunuwari Language [Koich-Lo]. According to many linguists and researchers Sunuwari language is similar to Tibeto Berman group but not exact. Only Sunuwar peoples speak and understand Sunuwari language therefore it is the indentification of Sunuwar tribe. Sunuwari languageis also very important to carry out and to perform their cultural activities, feasts, festivals and traditions. Every cultural ceromony of these people cannot be continued without their own tribal language.But this language (Koich-Lo) is became an endangered language thesedays. The total population of Sunuwar tribe is only around 100,000 and the Sunuwari language speakers are very few than other indigenous language speakers. There are many reasons that harm the Sunuwar Language, but, the state, the indigenous peoples and the Sunuwar peoples must need a strong effort for the conservation, development and the promotion of Sunuwari Language [Koich-Lo]

Traditional Costumes of Sunuwar Peoples

Sunuwar peoples have their own traditional cultures, costumes and social structure. Their language, cultures and costumes are themain identification of Sunuwar peoples. The costumes they wear is very endangered and unique because of its tipical design and the materials that are used to make these costumes. The raw materials they used and the artistc costumes they make shows Sunuwar peoples knowledge and their art. Sunuwar men wear Daura, Suruwal, Topi, artistic Bhoto,Jali-Rumal (colourful scarf made from cotton) on neck, Kambari(colourful artistic belt made from cotton which is used to carry monetery coins), Nache (small gold/silver ear-ring) in ear etc. Sunuwar women wear Fariya (sari), Chaubandi Choli (artistic long sleev), Patuki(belt of cloth), artistic Bhoto, Madwari/madauri (artistic goldear-ring), Dhungri and Bulaki (artistic gold ornaments wear in nose),gold/silver ring, artistic silver bangles on hand and on leg,Charani/Aathhani Mala (silver coins chain on neck), Thaili/Basa (pursethat made from cotton or woolen) and large woollen scarf on head etc.

Culture of Sunuwar Peoples
Sunuwar peoples are very rich in their traditional cultures.They have more than hundreds of Sunuwari traditional feast and festivals which is difficult to explain in details. Every traditional feasts and festivals have its own objectives, characterstics and system of celebration. Some greatest traditional festivals are mentioned.Chandi puja (Shyadar-Pidar), Gil puja (Gil-Pidar), Meserani puja(Meserani-Pidar) etc are important. They celebrate Shyadar-pidar festival in the Day of Buddha Purnima or after 5 days of Buddha purnima(panchami) according to Nepali calendar. They offer blood of thousands of animals like pig, cock, goat etc to their goddess Chandi in the day of Shyadar pidar. Sunuwari New year is start from Basanta Panchami. Asa whole community, they celebrate Meserani pidar two times per year but individually they celebrate it any time. Some famous festivals are listed below:
Famous Traditional Cultures of Sunuwar Peoples
*  Shyadar Pidar                * Gil Pidar
*  Fol Pidar                        * Sida Pidar
*  Phachegyami Pidar       * Meserani Pidar
*  Dashgyami Pidar           *  Surom Pidar
*  Katgyani Pidar               *  Sed Pidar
*  Ragangyami Pidar         *  Nakdevi Pidar
*  Nimlo Pidar                    *  Chhengu Pidar
*  Waash Thheplu Pidar    *  Phooss Pidar
*  Gijo Pidar                       *  Kash Pidar
*  Sagun Pidar                   *  Kalpip Pidar

Lifestyle of Sunuwar Peoples

The major occupation of Sunuwar peoples is agriculture.More than 80% of Sunuwar people are depended on their house hold agriculture farming. Crop cultivation and cattle farming are the main agricultural works. Sunuwar peoples also took part in the second worldwar and they became a brave army. Some Sunuwar peoples still join the British Army and Indian Army. Some medium educated people go to abroad countries for job because it is difficult to get uppertunities within the nation. Attractive salaries and facilites in abroad countries motivated these people for abroad job. Only few Sunuwar peoples are involved in Government and private service over here.

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