Raji Community in Kailali Moves from Forest-Based Livelihoods Toward Education and New Opportunities
Kailali: “In the past, we had to go into the forest to work just to secure a meal; now, the government provides a social security allowance. That has made it easier to manage food, clothing, and our livelihood,” said 70-year-old Jhina Raji, reflecting on her past.
Having spent a large part of her life connected to the forest, Jhina is now witnessing the changes taking place in her community firsthand. There was a time when venturing into the forest was essential for her family’s survival. Now, however, she says life has become easier due to state-provided benefits such as social security allowances, housing, education, and healthcare services.
While Jhina Raji’s generation lived a life deeply tied to the forest, the younger generation is moving forward through education, technical training, employment, and social leadership. One generation sustained their families by relying on forest resources, while the current generation is gaining education and entering government service.
The Raji community resides in areas of Kailali such as Bhajani, Tikapur, Gauriganga, and Ghodaghodi. The transformation within the community extends beyond changes in livelihood methods, with growing awareness of education, employment, social security, women’s participation, local-level representation, and their rights.
The Government of Nepal has listed ten indigenous groups as endangered, with the Raji people among them. The Constitution of Nepal establishes social justice, equality, and inclusion as fundamental rights and stipulates that special provisions may be made for the protection, empowerment, and development of socially and culturally marginalized, minority, and endangered communities.
Article 42 of the Constitution guarantees the right to special opportunities and protection regarding education, health, housing, employment, and food for endangered ethnic groups. Similarly, Article 51 outlines the State’s policy to provide special opportunities and arrangements for the preservation and development of the identity, language, script, culture, and history of endangered communities. Article 261 establishes the Indigenous Nationalities Commission to protect, promote, and empower the rights and interests of indigenous nationalities.
Alongside these constitutional provisions, the government has been implementing programs targeting the Raji community in areas such as social security, scholarships, education, and housing. Local levels have also initiated programs tailored to the community’s situation.
Mayor Kebal Chaudhary states that Bhajani Municipality has been providing free education to children of the Raji ethnic group. According to him, the municipality runs other programs targeting the Raji community in addition to providing free education.
A Generation Transitioning from a Forest-Linked Life Toward Education
The traditional livelihood of the Raji community was deeply connected to forest-based activities, farming, and fishing. They would collect items such as honey, medicinal herbs, wild tubers, wild asparagus, and fish from the forest. These were used for household needs, while the surplus was sold to cover living expenses. In some instances, collecting forest products required staying in the forest overnight.
For 35-year-old Harsha Bahadur Raji of Bhajani Municipality-9, those memories remain vivid. He recalls that, in the past, his entire family was connected to the forest in one way or another.
“Our livelihood used to depend primarily on farming and the forest. When I was young, I would accompany my father into the forest. We would gather honey, medicinal herbs, and other forest products for our own consumption, while selling the surplus to contractors to cover household expenses,” he said.
He notes that their limited income made it difficult to meet even the family’s daily needs. Education was not a priority for many families at that time; due to financial hardship, children were often required to help with household chores rather than attend school.
Harsha Bahadur, too, was unable to continue his education. After his father passed away and his eldest brother established a separate household, the responsibility of the family fell upon his shoulders. However, he did not allow the lack of educational opportunities he faced to be repeated in his younger brother’s life. Determined to ensure his brothers received an education, he provided whatever support he could.
One of Harsha Bahadur’s brothers, 31-year-old Arman, is currently employed as a sub-engineer in Ghodaghodi Municipality. Arman’s childhood, however, did not begin with a keen interest in academics. At the age when he should have been attending school, he was more interested in herding cattle and goats.
“When I was of school age, I used to attend school only one day a week. The idea of actually going to school never really crossed my mind; I much preferred herding cattle and goats,” said Ujale.
Due to this initial lack of interest in academics, his educational journey was far from smooth. He failed the SLC examination once. However, he did not give up on his studies despite the setback. With the support of his family and his own determination, he eventually completed his secondary education.
After finishing secondary school, his focus shifted toward technical education. He secured a scholarship after passing the entrance examination conducted by the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT). Subsequently, he pursued a diploma-level course in Sub-Engineering in Chitwan.
“At first, I didn’t know much about technical education or what diploma-level studies entailed. But once I enrolled, the path forward became clear,” he said.
Upon completing his technical education, Arman sat for the Public Service Commission examination. After passing the exam, he began working as a Sub-Engineer at Ghodaghodi Municipality in 2076 BS.
His journey—from a family that once relied on the forest for its livelihood to entering government service through education—stands as an example of the generational shift occurring within the Raji community.
His elder brother Harshabahadur’s childhood was spent in the forest, and he could not continue his education. However, his younger brother Arman persisted with his studies despite the hardships, acquired technical education, and entered government service. Another of Harshabahadur’s brothers has also completed a degree in Electrical Engineering and is currently preparing for the Public Service Commission examinations.
Arman does not view his success merely as a personal achievement. According to him, interest in education has been growing among children and youth of the Raji community in recent times. He observes that as awareness of schools, scholarships, and technical education opportunities increases, the new generation has begun choosing diverse paths for their futures.
“There has been a lot of change compared to the past. The new generation has the opportunity to learn and move forward. Now, we must capitalize on that to progress even further,” he said.
Thus, the story of Harshabahadur and Arman’s family illustrates the generational shift occurring within the Raji community. The transition from a generation that relied on the forest for survival to one that acquires education and skills to pursue employment reflects a changing lifestyle and an evolving outlook toward the future.
Changing Family Perspectives through Social Security and Education
Alongside the shift toward education, social security and housing programs have eased the daily lives of impoverished Raji families. The government provides a social security allowance of Rs 4,000 per person to members of the Raji community.
According to Harshabahadur, given the family’s limited income, this social security allowance served as a crucial foundation for supporting his brothers’ education. The allowance initially helped support the education of his two brothers. Once one brother completed technical education and became an engineer, it became easier for the family to manage the expenses for the other brother’s education.
“It would have been difficult to educate my brothers without the social security allowance. Initially, that allowance helped fund their education. After one brother became an engineer, it became easier to support the other’s studies as well,” he said.
In addition to the social security allowance, the government has constructed an integrated model settlement for the Raji community. Six members of Maitu Raji’s family have received housing facilities alongside the allowance. He notes that the housing issue was resolved after the government assisted in building their homes.
“We faced many problems before. The government has not only provided the social security allowance but also built houses for us. This has made things much easier,” he said. He also mentioned that the social security allowance has contributed to the children’s education.
Although education was not previously a priority due to financial constraints, the trend of sending children to school has increased thanks to state support and a shift in family attitudes. This indicates a growing understanding among Raji families that education is not merely an immediate necessity but a foundation for building the future.
According to Tulsi Raji, sending children to school was difficult in the past due to poverty. Children often had to work at a young age just to help their families make ends meet, and daughters were frequently married off early. Now, however, family priorities have shifted due to state-provided benefits and a growing awareness of the importance of education.
“There are far more facilities available now than before. We have also begun to understand that we are entitled to our rights,” he said.
The experiences of the older generation also reflect a shifting mindset regarding education. Parbati Raji was unable to continue her schooling due to family circumstances; she was married at the age of 15 because of her mother’s health and the family’s situation. Although she studied only up to the fifth grade, she is now keenly aware of the importance of her children’s education.
“I didn’t get the chance to study, but I feel my children must,” she said.
Maitu Raji’s experience is similar. Even though she never had the opportunity to attend school herself, her children go to school today. The deprivation and lack of education she experienced firsthand have made her all the more conscious of the need for her children’s education.
A generational shift in attitudes toward education and living standards is evident within the Raji community. While the primary priority used to be meeting daily subsistence needs, sending children to school, ensuring they complete their education, and seeking opportunities for skills training and employment are now viewed as the foundation for building a future.
This change in mindset, coupled with state support in areas such as social security, housing, and education, is steering the Raji community away from a traditional lifestyle and toward new opportunities.
From Women’s Participation to Community Leadership
The changes within the Raji community are not limited to education and employment alone. Women, too, are gradually beginning to participate in social services, income-generating activities, and community affairs.
Tulsi Raji has been working in the community as a Female Community Health Volunteer. Alongside providing health-related services and raising awareness, she has observed a growing consciousness within the community regarding education, health, social security, and rights.
Women are not only participating in social activities but are also seeking avenues for independent income. While Parbati Raji’s husband from Bhajani operates a mill, she is earning her own income by driving an auto-rickshaw. This reflects a growing desire for self-reliance among Raji women.
Participation of the Raji people in community leadership roles is also on the rise. Harsha Bahadur currently serves as the chairperson of the Sonpal Community Forest Users Group in Bhajani Municipality-9 and is a member of the CPN-UML ward committee.
The Raji community is also gaining representation at the local executive level. This enables community members to voice their concerns and perspectives regarding the local government’s plans and decision-making processes.