JIREL

Jirel is the name of a small community of approximately 10 to 12 thousand people identifiable as a separate ethnic group. Jirels are mostly concentrated in the villages of Jiri and Jugu areas of the Dolkha district. Some sects of Jirels live in the districts of Nawalparasi and Rupandehi.  Sizeable number of Jirels also live in  Sindupalchok district. They speak a typical Tibeto-Burman dialect, akin to the Sherpa language. There are other Sherpa influences too, as evident from their lifestyles. They call themselves as Jirpas sounding like Sherpa. Both of those ethnic groups profess Buddhism and shamanism. They address the Buddhist Lama as Pemba and the shaman as Phomba. Traditionally being  farmers,  they cultivate millet and live happily off their produce. Jirels practice both systems of  managing dead bodies, burying or cremating as per the recommendations of the Buddhist Lama.