RAJBANSHIS

 Rajbanshis have a community of approximately 100,000 people who live close to Nepal-India border areas in the districts of Jhapa and Morang of eastern Nepal. Anthropologists opine that they are the kiths and kins of the peripheral Koch communities of the adjacent states of West Bengal and Assam in India. However, they consider themselves as a branch of the Kirants  befitting their mongoloid feature where as their language is closer to Bengali and Assamese. They wear loose clothes conforming to their climate and weather. They worship Thaku Brahmani and also practice shamanism. Consumption of alcohol is customary while worshiping the gods. Playing with mud and water during festivals and the bridegroom’s side making monetary payment to the bride’s family during marriage are the specialties of their culture. Their principal occupation of Rajbanshis is agriculture and that they are  the indigenous people of Jhapa and Morang.