Raute Community Members Showcase Traditional Crafts Amidst Urban Curiosity at Kathmandu Conference

Kathmandu. "This is a vessel made by us Raute people; its name is Koshi (Aari). You can put any food item in it. It is very good. The price is only one thousand rupees," said Deepak Raute from Sudurpaschim (Far-West).

The Raute people have displayed the utensils they made for sale at the Indigenous Nationalities Knowledge Conference organized by the National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities, which began today at the Rastriya Sabhagriha (National Assembly Hall). They wished that many utensils would be sold, but there was a larger crowd of people wanting to take photos with them than those wanting to buy their wares.

Visitors were asking strange questions like, "Which Raute are you from? What is your name? What are the clothes you are wearing made of?" Deepak mentioned that four Raute individuals from Sudurpaschim brought 70 Koshi (wooden vessels) to sell at the conference.

Deepak has visited Kathmandu city before. In Sudurpaschim, they make utensils and sell them in the villages in exchange for rice, maize, and paddy. However, since carrying paddy and maize back to their village from Kathmandu is arduous, Deepak hopes that they would be given cash instead of selling the utensils.

According to him, there is a tradition among the Raute that they should not touch money. "In the city, it seems impossible not to take money," Deepak said, "Now, if we don't touch money, how will we survive?" Deepak shared his experience of feeling somewhat anxious about the urban lifestyle as a Raute living in the jungle. He stated that it is very difficult for people from his community to mingle with the crowds and noise here. Describing his experience of roaming the city, he said, "City people talk a lot. It irritates us."

The conference also features exhibitions showcasing the art, culture, cuisine, lifestyle, and food habits of the Raute community and various other indigenous communities. Among these, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in Nepal organized a food exhibition to promote traditional food items.

FAO Nepal Program Chief Madhukumar Bishwakarma stated that by displaying samples of grains such as millet, buckwheat, maize, and wheat, they aimed to send a message about consuming healthy and nutritious food.