Conservation of Raute culture through livelihood improvement (with Participatory video reporting) (NEP/OP3/2/07/06)

Project Details & Results

The Rautes are the only surviving nomadic tribe of Nepal and are a symbol of living history of ancient human evolution bridging the ancient and modern culture. They represent the early phase of the human race along with their primitive civilization in this part of the world even in this 21st century. The vanishing tribe, probably the last hunting group of the Asia has been passing through a difficult phase of existence at the moment. It is estimated that total population of Raute in Nepal is about 500, still practicing the ancient nomadic way of hunting and gathering - a way of life they have practiced for more than 900 years. They are on the brink of extinction and have made their last stand in the mid-west forested hill-region of Nepal - a stand against acute deforestation, influence of modern civilization and depletion of the natural resources they depend on. The main objective of the project is to help in advocacy and sensitization initiatives, contribute to livelihood enhancement through socio-econimic empowerment and oppurtinities and document indigenpus Raute knowledge and their relationship with nature. This issue demands a ground breaking ethnological study and research in order to give primitive human culture justice and also to keep their tradition and jungle- civilization alive for posterity. If the Raute community succumbs, the modern world will have lost one more source of knowledge that could help us rediscover our natural roots and a way of life in ecological balance with the endangered forests of the planet. Through the video documentary, pictures, words, activities, aspirations, feelings, moods, gestures, conversations, etc of these orally literate Rautes will be captured.

Rautes participating on Surkhet Exhibitiobn, CV