The Byanshi: an ethnographic note on a trading group in far western Nepal

Contrib Nepalese Stud. 1976 Sep;3(2):83-118.

Abstract

PIP: The Byanshi who live in the district of Darchula are among the lesser known trading groups of Nepal. The Byanshi, close to the borders of Nepal, India, and Tibet, make their living trading wool, yak tails, salt, grain, and other commodities across the Himalayas and over the border into Pithoragarh district and even down into the Terai. The Byanshi live their lives in 2 separate areas. In the summer they live in their traditional homeland in Byana panchayat in the northern section of Darchula, close to Nepal's border with China. The major settlements in the area are Tinkar and Chhangru. The entire panchayat has a population of about 2000. In the winter, when snow makes life difficult in the high mountains, the Byanshi migrate down to Khalanga panchayat. Of greater importance than agriculture is animal husbandry, which is the backbone of trade in the Himalayas. Most important is that husbandry supports trade. The Byanshi social organization is somewhat confusing. An attempt is made to explain the clan structure as simply as possible. Upon the birth of a child the women from the village bring local beer, meat, and other food to the mother. Up to the 11th day after childbirth, the new mother and child are considered to be polluted. On the 8th day after delivery a ceremony known as "malengkho kormo" is performed, where the mother and child are ritually bathed. From this point, both the mother and child may enter the hearth area of their house, but the house itself is considered polluted. On the 11th day, all villagers are invited to attend the ceremony known as "chhyosimo" which purifies the house and the people. The Byanshi practice 3 forms of marriage: marriage by capture; love marriage, a form of elopmement; and the arranged marriage. The latter is becoming most common. Death rituals have always been the most exaggerated and costly ceremonies for the Bayanshi. The religion of the Byanshi combines features of Tibetan Buddhism, hill animism, and Hinduism in a very complex pattern. The Byanshi are a progressive group of people who place a premium on education. The emphasis on education has created a talent pool, allowing some Byanshis to work as overseers, school teachers, officers in the Nepalese army, employees in travel agencies and hotels in Kathma. The Byanshi also stress entrepreneurship. Since the Chinese have come to Tibet, trade has slackened and the Byanshi claim it is difficult to make a living. They want to be resettled as a group but are unwilling to give up their "shrunken" trade upon resettlement.

MeSH terms

  • Anthropology
  • Anthropology, Cultural*
  • Asia
  • Culture*
  • Delivery, Obstetric*
  • Demography
  • Developing Countries
  • Economics
  • Education*
  • Ethnicity*
  • Family Characteristics*
  • Geography
  • Health Workforce
  • Housing*
  • Marriage*
  • Nepal
  • Occupations*
  • Population
  • Population Characteristics*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Religion*
  • Reproduction
  • Residence Characteristics
  • Social Change*
  • Social Sciences*
  • Socioeconomic Factors*