The Bote people are an ethnic group indigenous to the inner Terai regions of Nepal.[3] They speak Bote language. The Bote people are well-known for ferrying travellers across the rivers through the boats, which often are prepared from the trunks of the trees. They are scattered around the bank of Kaligandaki, Narayani and Rapti River of Nepal. Bote and Majhi people are known as the ‘King of water’. Their ancestral occupation is fishing, boating and searching gold in the river whose settlement is nearby river and forest.[4] The dialect and culture of Bote people in several ways is similar to that of the Danuwars, Darai, Tharus and Majhi.
| Total population | |
|---|---|
 Nepal 11,258[1] | |
| Languages | |
| Bote language, Nepali | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism 88%, Prakriti 9.5%, Christianity 2.06%[2] | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Majhi, Tharu, Danuwar, Darai people |
Origin
editThere are two theories regarding the origin of Bote people. The community was known for laying tree trunks or branches across rivers to build makeshift seasonal bridges to allow people to cross.[5] ‘Bot’ means a tree, and it could be that Nepali speakers started calling them Bote. Another theory suggest that they did not own land or houses, and took shelter under trees on the waterfront, they came to be known as Bote, since their existence revolved around the river.[4]
Culture
editBotes are mainly engaged in ferry driving. Bote community lives in the banks of the rivers like Kali Gandaki, Rapti, Narayani, and Sunkoshi.[6] They are divided into two groups: Pakha Bote and Pani Bote. Pakha Bote live in hills or arable land and Pani Bote live on the banks of the Kali Gandaki, Rapti, and Narayani rivers.[7] Their primary economic base is boating, that is a nominal.[8] There’s similarity in custom and occupation of Bote or Majhi people though they live in different places of Nepal. Their dress is similar to that of Magar and Gurung dress but their language is what differentiates them from others. Living besides river, fishing boating, looking for gold, farming and rearing animals are the main occupations of these people.[9][10]
Language
editBote people speak Bote language which is close to Danuwar and Tharu languages. It is spoken in Gulmi, Nawalparasi, Chitwan, and Tanahu districts. According to the census of 2011, there were a total of 7,687 who considered Bote as their mother tongue.[10]
Religion
editMost Bote practice an indigenous form of animism, in which shamanism, ancestor worship, and tattooing plays pivotal roles however many claim to be Hindu.[11] The Bote people celebrate such festivals as Chandi Puja, Kalyan Puja, Bayu Puja, Bhuayar Puja, Sansari Mai Puja, Baje Bajei Puja, Jala Puja, Dunga Puja and Nhwagi Khhane Puja. Importantly, these people also offer Puja to the local ghosts, witches and spirits.[12]
References
edit- ^ National Statistics Office (2021). National Population and Housing Census 2021, Caste/Ethnicity Report. Government of Nepal (Report).
- ^ Central Bureau of Statistics (2014). Population monograph of Nepal (PDF) (Report). Vol. II. Government of Nepal.
- ^ "Population Monograph of Nepal Volume II (Social Demography)" (PDF).
- ^ a b Times, Nepali (2020-10-31). "Chitwan's Bote people in a changing world". nepalitimes.com. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
- ^ "Bote people" (PDF).
- ^ "Livelihood Strategy of Bote Community: A Case Study of Bote Community of Patihani VDC of Chitwan".
- ^ "Impact of Tourism on Indigenous Bote Communityof Chitwan National Park". Nepal College of Travel and Tourism Management - NCTTM. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
- ^ "Bote community demands unhindered access to fish in Chitwan park rivers". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
- ^ Sravasti (2020-09-26). "The Marginalised Bote Community of Chitwan, Nepal". Sravasti's. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
- ^ a b "A SOCIOLINGUISTIC SURVEY OF THE BOTE LANGUAGE" (PDF).
- ^ Service, Himalayan News (2021-10-31). "Dashain loan pushes Bote people to go for gold hunt". The Himalayan Times. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
- ^ "Janajatis of Nepal" (PDF).
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