Rai People

Rais belong to Kirant confederation. Since ancient times, Rais are living in the districts of Solukhumbu, Okhaldhunga, Khotang, Bhojpur and Udayapur. Rais speak many dialects of the Tibeto-Burman family. They have their own unique religion. Their principal scripture is Mundhum. Sitakhau Budo, Walmo Budi, Jalpa Devi and others are their local deities. Rich in culture, the Sakela (Chandi) Dance and the sharing of newly harvested foods in Nwagi are their principal festivals. Rais bury their dead. Pork is used for auspicious and holy occasions. They consider Sumnima and Paroohang as their primordial parents. There are many Rai clans. Their houses are scattered. Short in stature, round in face and stout in build, Rais are expert in farming and textile weaving. Following the unification of the Kingdom of Nepal The Rai language, though it has no script, is rich in texture.

The Rais have Mongoloid features and claim that their origin is from Marema (the daughter of the earth) and Kirant Mahadeva (a roamer in the jungle). There are as many classes of the Rais as there are families, but the four most prominent are: Thulung, Bantawa, Chyamlung, and Kulung. 

The Rais are known for their short-tempers, but are also known as lovers of peace. They love art and music as well as feasting where they eat pork and freely drink locally made alcohol. Their main occupation is agriculture, but it is also common to make and sell local alcohol as a source of income. Their staple foods are rice, maize, and potatoes. Many of the Rai groups do not raise or eat goat meat. They believe to do so will anger the gods and make them impure as well as bring sickness and death. 

The Rais follow a set of rules for ancestral spirit worship called Mundum. Their exact religious practices vary from group to group within the Rais, but they adhere to most of the major Hindu practices and festivals. The pujhari or priest plays an important role in their communities. 

Economy and Trade

The Rais mainly derive their subsistence from agriculture. They cultivate paddy, millet, wheat, corn and even cotton. They also form a strong group in the Gorkha regiment, Royal Nepalese Army and the Police. The Limbus are mostly farmers. An ancient strange tradition prohibits them from working in the fields on the full moon and new moon days. There is no apparent and logical reason for the tradition.

Tradition and Culture

Among the Rais, marriages are monogamous. The marriages are held by arrangements, captures and elopements. The Limbus follow the same marriage tradition. Both the Rais and Limbus bury the deceased and place a tombstone on the grave, bearing the name and date.

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