BYASI

The dwellers of Byas village to the north of Darchula dostrict of far western Nepal and the foothills of the Byas Himal are called Byasis or inhabitants of Byas. Also known as Souka, these Mongoloid animists call themselves Rangey. They have their own unique language and ways of life. Their 12th century scripts are found in the caves. Their dress is known as chyungwala. The ancestral God of the Soukas of Rolpa is Namjung who is the principal deity of Bon. Dhyoula is their native festival. The Byasis conduct trade between Taklakot in Tibet and Darchula district of Nepal. The Front of their houses are festooned with Buddhist prayer flags called dharchyo and they do not observe Hindu festivals like other tribes. According to linguists, the Souka language is somewhat close to the Magar language.