Raji tribe, known as Phan in the Raji language, is one of the endangered indigenous ethnic groups of Nepal. Some scholars have mentioned them as Ban Manis, Ban Rawat, Ban Raja, Raji, and Raute. Their nomadic lifestyle, distinct and unique language, and habitation reveal that the Raji have been in Nepal since ancient times. The Raji were initially one tribe, but now they have three different groups. They are Baarh Bandale Raji, Purbiya (Panthe) Raji, and Naukule (Noukulya) Raji on the basis of their inhabitant area and linguistic differences. The legend, as written by different scholars, is that they migrated from the Rara Lake of Mugu. When the Rara Lake exploded, Raji moved from there to Dailekh and Surkhet. From Surkhet, they moved to Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Kailali, and Kanchanpur. Twelve different clans are found in the Raji community. They are Khadyal, Gholyan, Railayal, Sikante, Tokyal, Chimchyal, Gothyal, Naihari, Digyal, Batekwal, Sanjyal, and Chhantyal.

Effect of global warming on the Raji Tribe

Global warming has led to an incredible increase in Earth’s temperature. Conservation and maintaining ecological balance have become a significant challenge. The overexploitation of natural resources and the rapid transformation of tribal culture in the modern era pose a risk of losing valuable traditional knowledge. Raji are known for their deep knowledge of medicinal plants- a knowledge which is unfortunately under pressure of extinction. Climate change poses a direct threat to indigenous communities due to their dependence on natural resource-based livelihoods.

There are several causes of global warming, which have a negative effect on humans, plants, and animals. These causes may be natural or an outcome of human activities. Deforestation is one of the human activities that accelerates global warming. Everyone is affected by climate change, especially indigenous peoples, and the economically marginalized are hit the hardest. The profession of fishermen, who catch fish using nets and hooks, is also in danger as other people use pesticides to catch fish in rivers and streams. For some years, the Raji people have been facing problems from global warming.

The culture, traditional organizations, traditional knowledge, skills, technology, behaviour, beliefs, customs, etc. of indigenous peoples play an important role in the conservation and management of natural resources. With the advent of industrialization, the temperature of the Earth has been increasing rapidly. Forest fires emit a large amount of carbon-containing smoke. These gases are released into the atmosphere and increase the Earth’s temperature, resulting in global warming. Natural hazards such as drought, heatwave, river flooding, and glacial lake outburst flooding are all projected.

Climate change has emerged as a major threat to all inhabitants of the Earth. Economic growth has brought improvements in several aspects of human well-being, including increased life expectancy, higher wages, and improved socio-economic conditions. However, such growth resulted in an alarming situation for the environment in recent decades in the form of emissions and global warming. Nepalese are estimated to be at risk from the impacts of climate change, including a reduction in agricultural production, food insecurity, strained water resources, and loss of forest and biodiversity. Some of the major changes they noted are extreme heat in summer and colder temperatures in winter, increasing winter fog, and a decrease in rainfall. 

The Raji people feel that the temperature has increased and rainfall has become more irregular than in the past.

Causes of the Raji language at risk 

Nepal is a country where every Nepali speaks at least one language, called their ‘mother tongue’, and or other languages, known as ‘second languages’. According to the estimate, at least half of the world’s 7000 languages are expected to become extinct in this century. The death of a language marks the loss of a unique worldview.

There is no written form of the language available. The Raji language has now started borrowing words from the dominant language where they reside. Borrowing is considered a sign of enrichment of the language as well as its loss. Lexical borrowing results in a change in the phonological system of the language. Raji is an undocumented language spoken by Raji. The Raji people are expressing concern that their language may gradually disappear as the new generation is ashamed to speak their mother tongue to the increasing trend of intercaste marriage with other communities.

Language is not only an instrument for the communication of messages, but it also gives identity to its speakers. Language has been considered important for achieving equitable and sustainable development. Raji is an endangered language, which means the language is at risk. Education and literacy development occur in Nepali. Although literacy rate among the Raji community is increasing, it still remains low in rural areas.

The Raji language needs the development of an orthography. Orthography gives stability to a language and not only conserves it but also helps in the standardization process of the language. Introducing native literacy for an oral language can be a positive implication. Writing of the oral language includes the documentation for language survival, expansion of language use, and empowerment of the community.

Threat to the preservation of the Raji culture 

Nepal has been a conglomeration of different groups of people with different cultures and languages. The cultural norms and values of a group are transmitted by language. Rajis are animists, and now most of them follow the Hindu religion. Deuti Bajyai (a female deity) is worshipped by the Raji priest in the temple of Birendranagar, Chhinchu, and Mehalkuna. They worship their tutelary deity in the jungle in December and Durga Pooja at home in October. They also worship Sunpaal, Deupaal, Baijanaath, Aguwa, Bhaainrobaba, Kalika, and Rajuwaali deity. Their main deities are Churmul and Chiplakot. The priest is called Gurau or Guruwa. He holds an important place in the community. He is the person in village rituals, besides being a curer of illnesses. Festivals, rituals, and culture have been continuing under the guidance of the Gurau.

The festivals and food of the Raji were traditionally special and distinct. They perform dances such as Jhumra, Tappa, Khyali, Sorathi, and Dagga only by men. They celebrate Chaite Astami, Ghiiya Sakranti, Durga Pooja in Dashain, Tihar, Maaghe Sankranti, Hori Purnima, Saune Sankranti (Ghiu Chakhaune), etc. There is a tradition of burying the dead body in the ground and mourning for thirteen days. Now, they are influenced by the Hindu traditions. The lifestyle of the Raji community has changed over time. Their ancestral professions are also changing.

Raji used to elect a head, known as 'Mukhiya’, of their community. They have their traditional customs and dress patterns. Men wear their own type of Bhoto (shirt), Kachhad, and a cap, while women wear Chholo (blouse) and Gunyo (skirt). However, changes have taken place these days. Only some old people wear their traditional dresses. Besides the change in dress and ornamental pattern, specific dance art, and many other aspects of unique Raji norms and values are on the verge of extinction.

Raji uses animal parts such as meat, skin, bones, blood, feces, skull, urine, all organs, tail, eggs, and fat for traditional medicine. They rely on and believe in their traditional methods of treating disease. They believe in shamanism. When a person becomes sick, a shaman treats them. The risk of the loss of their traditional knowledge, skills, and specific patterns needs to be urgently documented, along with utilizing this knowledge for their economic advancement. Rajis are deprived of their traditional rights over local natural resources. As a result, their traditional occupation, lifestyle, and culture face threats of extinction.

Conclusion 

Rajis are experts in fishing, boating, hunting, collecting honey, and edible plants. It is evident from the study that the endangered Raji ethnic tribe of Nepal have their own practices for living. Therefore, emphasis should be given to the documentation of traditional knowledge and language before disappearing. It is necessary to research and study the traditional ecological knowledge and skills of the endangered Raji tribe. Raji can say the names of many fish in their own language. They know many types and characteristics of fish. And they have good knowledge of the various medicinal herbs found in the forest. These indigenous knowledge and practices of the Raji people are in danger of disappearing due to various factors such as migration and modernization, and their lack of access to their practices and resources.

The Raji language is the bearer of Raji culture. Their important dreams are the planning of mother tongue teaching materials, the development of textbooks, and the curriculum for mother tongue education. Textbooks should be developed in such a way that they address the indigenous knowledge, local needs, and aspirations. Preparation of suitable reading materials addressing the local needs and importance of the culture, tradition, and knowledge is an urgent need. Since they live in a mixed society, there is little chance that they will be able to continue developing and maintaining the traditional system that they desire.

The Raji community should be made aware of the importance of using their mother tongue and should be encouraged to transmit their mother tongue to the new generation. Younger generations are found going to schools. Non-formal education programmes should be carried out in the mother tongue. A detailed language documentation project is essential to preserve, promote, and develop their language and culture. Specific programmes such as language documentation, developing orthography, and bilingual textbooks should be initiated.

References 

• Aanbuhang, Dal Bahahdur and Min Bahadur Raji. 2081 B.S. Raji Jaatiko Chinari. Aadivasi Janajaati Uththan Rastriya Pratisthan. Sanepa, Lalitpur.
• Aaley, Uday Raj. 2017. Kusunda Tribe and Dictionary. Self. Dang.
• Adhikari, Khagendra Prasad. 2022. Changing Livelihood Strategies of Indigenous People: A Case Study of Raji Community at Ghatgaun in Surkhet District, Nepal. Journal of National Development, Vol. 35, No. 1.
• Bist, Dor Bahadur. 1980. People of Nepal. Ratna Pustak Bhandar, Kathmandu, Nepal.
• Dhakal, Dubinand. 2078 B.S. Raji Vasako Byakaran. Vasa Aayog, Shankhamul, Kathmandu.
• Khatiwada, Karnakhar and Balaram Prasai. 2013. Sociolinguistic Survey of Raji. Central Department of Linguistics, Tribhuvan University, Nepal.
• Rastogi, Kavita. 2015. Raji Orthography Development. Himalayan Linguistics, Vol. 14 (2), 39- 48 pp. 

Personal communication 

• Bal Ram Raji, Bheriganga Municipality Ward No.- 12, Rajigaun, Chhinchu, Surkhet
• Lal Bahadur Raji, Gurbhakot Municipality Ward No.- 12, Shubhaghat, Mehalkuna, Surkhet
• Kali Prasad Raji, Baarh Bardiya Municipality Ward No.- 10, Raji Vasti, Bardiya

Also read Raji Tribe of Nepal Part-1