People of Nepal
Nepal has a population of more than 28 millions inhabitants consisting of more than 100 ethnic groups having different cultures and spoken languages.
There are more than 30 languages and dialects. Nepali is the official language and English is understood and spoken by majority of people in Kathmandu Valley and other major cities.
Mainly, the inhabitants of Nepal have two different origins: some are from an Indian origin called Indo-Nepali and some are from a Tibetan origin called Tibeto-Nepali.
Nepal is a melting pot of religions which live together with much respect and tolerance. The main religion is Hinduism followed by more than 80% of the population. After come Buddhism (11%), Islam (4%) and many others.
Some Major Ethnic Groups Of Nepal:
The Chhetris are the most numerous, they represent 16.1% of the population. Chhetri people are from an Indo-Nepali origin. The have been traditionally classified as the warriors and the administrators of the country. Today they are distributed in almost all the parts of Nepal.
The Brahmins represent 13% of the Nepalese population. Brahmins are the highest cast in the country. They are the priestly class from Indo-Nepali origin.
The Newars are from a Tibeto-Nepali origin. They represent 5.1% of the Nepalese People but in Kathmandu Valley, their homeland, they are nearly 50%. These people are mainly traders, farmers or craftsmen. They are well known for their skills for architecture.
The Tharus are the only people living in the forests of the Terai. They are from Indo-Nepali origin and represent 6.8% of the Nepalese population.
The Gurungs are originally belonging to the Tibeto-Nepali. They represent 2.8% of the population and live at the foot of the high mountains of Himalaya. They are good farmers and, like the Rais, the Limbus and the Magars, they have introduced themselves as the brave Gorkha Soldiers.
The Sherpas are a minority of 0.7% but they have an international reputation as adventurous mountaineers. Sherpas are from Tibet, they speak the Tibeto-Burman language and live in the Himalayan region of Nepal. The largest Sherpa settlements are in Solu Khumbu at the foot of Mount Everest.
The Dalits are the untouchables, they are out of cast and represent 0.8% of the people. Dalits are involved in the degrading activities. Generally they are garbage collectors, blacksmiths, cleaners, cobblers...
