Being the original inhabitants of the land is just one aspect of the terms ‘indigeneous’ or ‘adivasi’. The Newar people may perceive these terms in this manner only, but I am sure the Newar leaders know, as do the rest of the world, that these terms also indicate oppression, backwardness, and isolation, all of which have negative connotations. Could you therefore circulate the following revised write-up please?

“The training program that Ms Sumitra has been promoting is mainly about the indigeneous people of Australia. They are living in a wretched condition. Things are a bit better for the Maoris of New Zealand, but essentially they too are living like the Fourth World people in a First World country. I know this because I have been living in these two countries for more than ten years now.

I have noticed that Newar leaders and writers routinely refer to Newars as ‘indigeneous’ or ‘adivasi’ people. After the apex body of the Newar community, Newaah De Daboo joined Nepal Federation of Indegeneous Nationalities, Newars have literally become ‘indigeneous’ or ‘adivasi’ like the Raute or the Hayu communities. One of our top leaders, Malla K. Sundar has just accepted the Maoists’ nomination to the Interim Parliament as a representative of the indigeneous nationalities.

Newars in general may simply perceive the terms ‘indigeneous’ or ‘adivasi’ as the original inhabitants of Nepal or Nepal Mandal. However, I am sure the Newar leaders know, as well as the rest of the world do, that these terms also indicate oppression by the conquering people, living in isolation from other sections of the nation-state and economic backwardness, all of which have negative connotations. Indigeneous or adivasi people can’t help themselves and are therefore helped by other national and international organisations.

Newars are among the elites of Nepal, not an indigeneous people as our leaders want us to believe or as defined by international organisations such as the UN, ILO or the World Bank. Nobody else is calling us indigeneous people, except our own leaders who are possibly doing this out of self-pity or the ‘victim mentality’. Moreover, Newars share very few common issues with the indigeneous people of Nepal. Therefore, Newars have no reason to be a member of Nepal Federation of Indegeneous Nationalities.

Our leaders have been doing a great job by uniting a mixed community like ours by promoting Newaah Nationalism through Nepal Bhasha, Nepal Sambat, Newaah Culture etc. Can they stop calling ourselves indigeneous or adivasi, which we are not?”

Kind regards.

Uday Bajracharya
Sydney, Australia

don’t forget; that except for some hilly tribes; most of all castes in Nepal are from Outside. I am a bahun and my ancestor came from Kumaon, India when moslems started murdering, raping and pillaging thousands of hindus in india. People of mongolians came from northwards: from china,burma, mongolia(those with chinky eyes,falt nose; can’t speak nepali properly)

so stop fighting and help nepal overcome the sati’s curse; which was cast in Ktm in malla king’s tenure; when a loyal courtier was killed for no crim of his.

If all nepalese start fighting like cats and dogs(newars); then nepal might be like sikkim and annexed by india.(it is already a bhutan; even prachanda who used to boast previously; is now whimpering in front of india; licking the sardar’s sole: without their petrol our capital is on bundh;we required thier support to kick the king;if they don’t give us their port; we will all die due to lack of necessities; prices will skyrocket etc.

so all you chyanba newars(you fuckers); shut up an learn to live in harmony with other races including bahun,kirat,chettri,magar. You are only 6pc and are trying to establish your dictatorship.