Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Bantawa rai

TOTAL SPEAKERS

USAGE BY COUNTRY (OFFICIAL LANGUAGE)

BACKGROUND

Bantawa is one of the sub-caste groups of the indigenous Rai community. Bantawas have their own language distinct from those spoken by other sub-caste groups. But they share same culture and lifestyle as other Rai sub-caste groups. Bantawa Rais are originally from Bhojpur district, but they have now spread across Nepal.

The culture of Bantawa rai is no different than that of other indigenous communities in Nepal. They celebrate Sakenwa-Udhauli (during April or May) and Sakenwa-Ubhauli (during November or December), these are the annual festival celebrated by Kirat community to mark the migration of animals and birds from lower to upper part and vice versa. The production of homemade rice bear, rearing pig are like the identity of this community. The tradition of this community is based on Mundhum, the oral religious utterance by priest and faith-healers.

Bantawa language is known as 'Bantawa rai language', it is also called 'Kirawa Yang'. Beside Nepal, this language is spoken in Darjeeling and Sikkim as well (India). Bantawa belongs to Tibeto-Burman language family. This is the largest language spoken by any Rai sub-caste group. In Nepal, there is not a separate script of Bawantawa Rai language. But in Sikkim, Kripa-Salyan script is used. 'Bunkhawa' magazine promotes Bantawa Rai mother tongue in Nepal.

Source: Indigenous Media Foundation (Nepal). Translators Deepak Bantawa and Nirajan Rai, associated with Kirat Bantawa (Rai) Language and Culture Development Council, a wing of Kirat Rai yayokka, dedicated to preservation, protection and promotion of Bantawa Rai Langauge.