Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Newar caste system

Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Newar caste system
(note: this list does not mention all the castes found in Newar society. until a detailed and accurate list is provided, use it only to get a general idea about the Newar caste system.)

In alphabetic order, they are:

Buddhacharya (Buddhist/Swoyambhu priests)
Mulmi
Shakya (Gurju, goldsmiths)
Bajracharya / Vajracharya (Buddhist priests, Gubhaju)
Chyami (sweepers)and Shahi/Khadgi (butchers, meat-sellers)who are considered to be of lower caste by the Malla rulers. This caste system is probably considered to be the only dark side of the Malla dynasty.
Jati (music player)
Joshi (astrologers)
Juwa (AKA Jujuwa, advisors to the King)
Kansakar / Kasaa (bronze craftsmen)
Kulu (drum-makers)
Maharjan / Dangol (Jyapu, farmers)
Malla (Rulers)
Sayami/Manandhar (oil pressers)
Nakarmi (blacksmiths/people who makes machinery goods with iron or steel)
Pradhan / Shrestha/Amatya (Administrators)/WARRIORS OF NEPA REGIME
Prajapati (Kumha) (Potters)are a Newar clan, the original inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley. The traditional Prajapati occupation is to make fine clay pots which have had significant importance among both the Hindu and Buddhist based socio-religious gatherings.However, the younger generation don't find it any more a lucrative business and thus are shifting to other professions.
Puun or Chitrakar (Artist/Painter)
Rajkarnikar halwai (confectioners)
Ranjitkar (dyers/dye related professionals)
Sagajyu (Merchant)
Sayajyu (Cleaner)
Shilpakar (sikami)
Shrestha (shyosyo)/WARRIOR OF NEPA MANDAL
Tamrakar (copper craftsmen)
Tuladhar (weigher craftsmen)
Tandukar
Vaidya (doctor)
Rajthala
Koju
Rajbhandari (Royal Treasurer / Ruling class of Kathmandu during Malla Period / Kaaji / newa warriors)

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

CAN YOU PLEASE FIND SOMETHING ABOUT GURUWACHARYA. WHAT WERE THEIR DUTIES AND WHERE DO THEY FALL IN THE HIERARCHY ?

Anonymous said...

Can you please tell me the meaning of SIKAMI ? Which belongs to Shilpkar caste...

Miakoda said...

Sikami means carpenter. Shilpakars were carpenters/caraftsmen in Lalitpur. Whereas in Kathmandu, Sthapits were the carpenters/ craftsmen.

Unknown said...

Do u knw anything about the origin of Nyachhyon/Mulmi caste?

Anonymous said...

can u mention the source of the above information?

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