The Bhujels : An Ethnographic Account

The Bhujels are among many of the backward and low social status tribes/castes who are still remain minority and disadvantaged in India and Nepal. In Nepal they are treated as tribe while in West Bengal they are treated as OBC. These peoples are suffering from social suppression by their neighbouring communities. In literature and in general understanding there are misconceptions about the status of the Bhujel within the structure of Nepali community. These along with lack of literature on this community prompt me to take up the task of preparing this document. 

The present study is an ethnographical profile on the Bhujels. The study is holistic in orientation covering both biological and socio-cultural aspects on this community. It explore their ethnic and social history, demographic attributes, morphological and genetic characters, material culture, family, marriage and kinship structures, life cycle rituals, religion, religious practices and festivals, draw an outline of their economic profile, examine the dynamics of their political organization and finally the changes in their socio-cultural life due to effect of Westernization and Hinduization. Owing to scarcity of data this study attempts to cover the gaps in our knowledge on Bhujel. It is expected that the results of the study shall help the academicians, policy makers, administrator and social workers to understand various situations of this population and remedies.