Sunwar people

कोइँच(सुनुवार)
Sunuwar
	Kirati Sunuwar
Total population
	Approximately 100,000 (2012 est.)
Languages
	Sunwar, Nepali
Religion
	Predominant Kiranti, Hinduism, Buddhism Sunwar greeting

Sunuwar Udhauli at Nakhipot, Lalitpur, Nepal 6 Dec. 2014

Selected ethnic groups of Nepal: Kiranti; Sunuwar; Rai, Limbu; Yakhha; Gurung; Magar

The Sunwars or Sunuwars (Nepali: सुनुवार जाति) are one of the indigenous peoples of Nepal and some areas in India. The tribe is influenced by Hinduism. They speak the Sunwar language. According to the 2001 census, 79.50% of the Sunwars are Hindu, while 17.4% were Kirant.^[1]

The Kiranti-Kõits are one of the Mongoloid tribes (anthropologically: Mongoloid stock) who number 96,254. The term ‘Kõits’ is also the name of the mother tongue. Other terms like Mukhiya or Mukhia are exonyms of the tribe. There is another common teasing name (mainly given by outsiders) of the tribe coined from the Sunwar language itself, e.g. Maaraapaache (lexically maar ‘what’ and patsaa ‘to do’, from when the speakers ask themselves maar patsaa? at the time trouble). Sunwars have their distinct language, religion, culture and social customs.
They inhabit the eastern hills of Nepal. They are autochthonous to the Molung Khola, Likhu Khola and Khimti Khola (‘Khola’ Indo-Aryan Nepali etymon ‘rivulet’). By administrative division, they dwell in Okhaldhunga, Ramechhap and Dolakha districts of Nepal, politically known as Wallo (‘Near/Hither’) Kirant (in the past and also in use among the Kirantis at present) after the fall of the Kirant dynasty (ruling for about 1903 years and 8 months) at the ancient Nepal valley. Wallo Kirant in the past was their Kipat or communal land. Their migration (mainly to the east) later took place in several parts of the country in Jhapa, Ilam, Panchthar, Taplejung, Terathum, Sunsari, Sindhuli, Kathmandu and other districts and abroad in Darjeeling, Sikkim, Dehradun, Bhutan, South Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.

Lifestyle[edit]

Most Sunuwars practice agriculture (approximately 55%) throughout the eastern hills of present-day Nepal. Crop cultivation and cattle farming (Rice, Millet, Wheat, Soybean, Potato, and Corn) are the main agricultural works. Sunuwar people also took part in the Second World War and they were known as brave and honest. Some Sunuwars still join the Nepal army, Nepal Police, Indian Army, Singapore Police Force and British Gurkha Army. Due to limited opportunities within the nation, people with education go abroad for work. Attractive salaries and facilities in other countries motivate these people for jobs abroad. Only few Sunuwar people are involved in the government service and private sectors in Nepal.

Traditional cultures[edit]

Sunuwars have very rich culture and traditions. They have hundreds of traditional feasts and festivals which are difficult to explain in detail. Every traditional feast and festival has its own objectives, characteristics and system of celebration. Some greatest traditional festivals such as Chandi Puja in Baisakh Purnima, Sakela (Shyadar-Pidar), Gil puja (Gil-Pidar), Meserani puja (Meserani-Pidar) etc. are important among the others. They celebrate Shyadar-pidar festival on the Day of Buddha Purnima or after 5 days of Buddha Purnima(Panchami) according to Nepali calendar. Sunuwari New year is celebrated on the day of Basanta Panchami. As a community, they celebrate Meserani Pidar twice a year, with no specific date allocated as such.

Sunuwar Dress (Costume)[edit]

Daura-Suruwal-Bhoto -JaliRumal and Topi is a traditional Sunuwar costume of Nepal for men,
Gunyou-Cholo-Bhoto-JaliRumal and Patuka is a traditional sunuwar costume of Nepal for female but marriage and unmarriage not same,
Charani (most Important), Dhungri, Phuli (Nose Pin), Tilahari, Cheapte, Suduk, Bulaki, Dragon Head Bracelet and Bunga Bala, Jun (Moon), Iron Ring, Jantar (Amulet).

See more Sunuwar Dress(np) Ne: सुनुवार पोसाक

Sunuwar Song (Koich Kumsho)[edit]

Sunuwari Song: Reuhita Ragimshumshaa
(Raining)

	"Reuhita " Ao "Raining" Tara Sunuwar.
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	"सेवल" Ao "सुनुवार ".
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Game[edit]

Hal-Li Or HaliCha हाल्ली खेल
Place : Khiji Chandeshwori DVC, Mainland after Kathmandu
Month : November/Dec. at Dark Night (DarkMoon). Only One in the World
Plyers : 12x12 :As 12 Month (Only Male)
Rule : 1 Hali change the Area/court, Sunuwar language

Marriage[edit]

Love Marriage or Autonomous Marriage. (Now a day)
Arranged Marriage (Still)
Escape Marriage (Still)
Traction Marriage (stolen). Before not now

Kirant kings[edit]

The 29 Kirat kings were as follows:

Yalamber 2. Pavi 3. Skandhar 4. Balamba 5. Hriti 6. Humati 7. Jitedasti 8. Galinja 9. Pushka 10. Suyarma 11. Papa 12. Bunka 13. Swananda 14. Sthunko 15. Jinghri 16. Nane 17. Luka 18. Thor 19. Thoko 20 Verma 21. Guja 22. Pushkar 23. Keshu 24. Suja 25. Sansa 26. Gunam 27. Khimbu 28. Patuka 29. Gasti