In the dense forests of Girighat in the Surkhet district, makeshift tents serve as temporary shelter for Wright, the last nomadic tribe in Nepal.
As urbanization wipes out the country, this small, isolated community clings to ancient traditions. However, their numbers are decreasing rapidly, putting their unique lifestyle at risk.
For generations, Wright followed seasonal migration patterns, descending into lowlands in the winter and retreating to the hills in the summer.
Unlike other Indigenous groups, they deficiently reject agriculture, permanent settlements and formal education. Their self-sufficiency revolves around hunting monkeys, gatherings of wild tubers, and bartering handmade wooden goods for essentials such as rice, tools, and clothing.
The Nepal government officially recognizes Lauté as an indigenous group of people at risk of extinction. According to Nepal’s 2021 census, their population was recorded at 566.
However, Social Services Centres (SOSEC) Nepal, an organization that works closely with the community, reports that numbers have plummeted.
“In the past six years, 32 children have been born, while 42 individuals have passed away, including newborns,” said Lal Bahadur Khatri, a SOSEC teacher who works at Raute Community. “This means their population is declining, and now only 137 remain.”
Women play a central role in the Laute community, managing daily tasks such as cooking, water intake and food collection. However, they have little to say about decisions related to healthcare and education.
“It’s very difficult to move from one place to another because new locations mean more work,” said Gajali Sahi, a 22-year-old Raute woman.
“It is women’s job to prepare new settlements and build new homes. Furthermore, it is women’s responsibility to take water and eat. But moving to a new location is the most difficult part.
“Education is good for our community, but we are not allowed to study,” Gajali added. “Even though we and other children in our community want to learn, older generations won’t allow us. Deepak, Nabin and our young people want to go to school because they don’t feel happy here. They have a hard time finding warm clothes in the winter.”
Khatri explained that he and others have begun providing basic education in secret.
“Parents don’t allow their children to study, but they want to learn,” he said. “So we’ve secretly written their names and taught them how to practice daily hygiene without the elders knowing.”
To support Raute’s food and medical needs, the Nepal government is offering monthly social security allowances of 4,000 Nepali rupees ($29.5) per person.
However, many raute elders are resistant to all forms of change.
“Raute kids don’t go to school. The kids are used to eating Kandmool. [wild roots]and frogs,” said Surya Narayan Sahi, the 49-year-old Raut leader.
He remains unshakable by his commitment to maintaining Raute’s way of life.
“If an attack lives in one place, we will disappear. “As in the same way, agriculture ends our existence.”
However, Gajali believes change is inevitable, but it will take time.
“I think it will take some time for the change, probably after the old generation passed away,” she said. “But for now, I don’t know how long it will take. If I were a community leader, I’d send all my kids to school. Unfortunately, I’m not.”
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