Villages Buzz with Activity as Dashain Begins
With the start of the Dashain festival, the villages in Humla have become lively and crowded. People from Humla who live elsewhere for work have started rushing back to their hometowns. The daily arrival of people by air and on foot to celebrate Dashain and Tihar has begun to fill up the villages that usually become empty during the rainy season.
Increased Homecoming Due to Road Access
An official from the District Police Office in Humla reported that the number of people returning home for Dashain has increased this year compared to before, especially since a road reached the district. He mentioned that the number of vehicles coming to Humla has already gone up this Dashain compared to the previous year. While only a few people returned in the past, the new road has caused villages to become crowded even before the main days of the festival. As the towns empty out, the villages are becoming vibrant and enjoyable.
A Time for Family and Celebration
A local resident explained that the gathering of everyone in their hometowns during this time, along with festivals like Dashain and Tihar, creates a harmonious family atmosphere. Meanwhile, the district headquarters, Simikot, is gradually becoming quieter. Citizens who live in Simikot for work, study, or business have started leaving for their villages to celebrate Dashain, reducing the hustle and bustle in the town.
The Cycle of Migration for Employment
A local woman from Adanachuli shared that although the lack of work in the village forces people to migrate, she always returns home for festivals like Dashain and Tihar. Due to the lack of employment opportunities in Humla, most unemployed youth follow a seasonal pattern. After finishing the agricultural work during the rainy season, they travel to earn money for Dashain expenses. Youth from upper Humla often go to Taklakot in China, while those from lower Humla typically go to India. They return to the village during planting and harvesting seasons for crops like wheat, barley, potatoes, and maize, and then leave again for work in neighboring countries.
A Long-Standing Tradition
A resident from Simikot noted that this necessity for citizens to search for work elsewhere is not new but has been a tradition since the time of their ancestors. The lack of local jobs in the village, combined with declining youth interest in agriculture, means that most young people end up going to places like Taklakot to find work.
