KANCHANPUR, Sept 24: The nomadic Raute people, who once survived on wild roots, yams, and tubers in the jungle, have now begun integrating into society alongside other communities.
Unable to continue their traditional craft of making wooden utensils due to restrictions on cutting down trees, they are now dependent on the social security allowance provided by the government.
Traditionally, the Rautes lived a nomadic lifestyle based on subsistence hunting of langur and macaque monkeys, while gathering wild forest tubers, fruits, and greens. To obtain rice, iron, cloth, and jewelry, they carved wooden bowls and boxes to barter with local farmers.
Badsingh Raute, from Tundikhel in Bhimdatta Municipality-9 of Kanchanpur, said they have now started participating in community activities.
Warm clothes, nutritious foods distributed to Rautes
“The government brought us from the forest to the settlement and has been providing us with a monthly allowance. Since I haven’t found work suited to my skills, I have to rely on the government allowance,” he said.
He added that while the community once crafted various wooden items in the jungle, they have not been able to continue this work since moving into settlements. “We were brought from the jungle to live like other citizens, but we face problems because we cannot find employment according to our skills,” he complained.
“Our children have not gone to school or received modern education. The government should provide employment for us. The allowance of four thousand rupees every three months is not enough to cover food expenses,” he said.
Similarly, Kiri Devi Raute shared that her son went to India in search of work after failing to find suitable employment locally. “We have assimilated into society, but there is a problem due to lack of jobs,” she said. “Although I prefer community life over jungle life, the government should focus on providing us with income opportunities.”
In Kanchanpur, with a population of about 500,000, only three Raute families reside. They migrated from Lali in Darchula to Tundikhel in Kanchanpur via Jogbudha of Dadeldhura. Now, they are seeking alternatives to their traditional livelihood.
“It is difficult to survive here with the skills of our ancestors. At best, we get daily wage work in the village,” said Anita Raute. “The government should help us become self-sufficient by teaching us skills suitable for the present times.”
The Rautes, once sustained by bartering wooden utensils for food, now rely on their government allowance to purchase daily essentials. They have also begun actively participating in community festivals and celebrations.
Mahadev Awasthi/RSS
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