The Rajbanshi tribe migrated to Nepal from West Bengal approximately 250 years ago. There are three groups which are included in this tribe; the Hindu Rajbanshis, the Muslim Rajbanshi and the Koche. Originally they were all one tribe known as the Koche. They had a powerful kingdom led by a king named Hajo, who established a city in India called Koche Behar. The Brahmins (high caste) of the area were so impressed with this powerful king that they elevated him to the caste of Ksetri (warrior) and gave him the title of Rajbanshi from which this group emerged.
Occupationally, the Rajbanshis are farmers, though they also raise chickens, goats, buffaloes and cows. To gain some additional income they will sell milk from these animals in the markets, as well as doing weaving or working in government or private jobs.
The Rajbanshis use the language of the Koche along with another language spoken by what they call the "true Rajbanshi" called Rajbanshi Bhasa. This is very similar to Bengali. Most Rajbanshis also speak Nepali in order to cornmunicate with the other tribes living close by. This predominantly Hindu group are quite devout and particularly worship the Hindu goddess of destruction - Kali. Every village has a separate hut dedicated to this goddess. They are known to have elaborate death, birth and marriage rites and ceremonies.
This proud high-caste group has been resistant to the gospel(Cristianity) and is in great need of a consistent gospel witness. Despite the fact that most Rajbanshis have heard the gospel message, this group remains very closed to Christianity, with well under 1% being Christians.
Key Prayer Points:
•Pray against the fear of the goddess of destruction (Kali) and the ancestral godess of death (Thakuur Brahmani).
•The two most important festivals among the Rajbanshis are Depavali, where they worship Laxmi (the goddess of wealth) and Lotha Poutha, where they look for strength from the gods. Pray that God will show them that He is their provider and their strength.
•They have a tremendous fear of having to leave their home, village, or community and being treated as an outcast if they accepted Christ. Their society is not open to any kind of change. Pray that God would set them free from their fears and cause their society to be more open to receive the gospel(Cristainty).
•Pray for the few Rajbanshi Christians as they often have to undergo severe persecution.
The Rajbanshis went to Nepal not in 250 years ago, but in sixteenth century during Naranarayan'rule. Please try to know the Bijaypur state (of Narayan dynasty)of Mithila. Mithila and part of Nepal was captured by Naranarayn and a deputee ruler was posted there. This was the time during which the Rajbanshis started to live there. This is truly a history. And there is another idea(which I can not give proof at present) that during Vaskar Barman in seventh century the Kamrup empire had been extended upto Mithila, and so during that time too Rajbanshi habitaion at those places might have started.
ReplyDeleteSo it can not be mentioned with exact date. It can be said the Rajbanshis (which is not really Koch, though at present this argument I want to keep aside)went to Nepal at very early times.
Distinguish Bangladeshi from Bengali Identity-
ReplyDeleteMost people forget the difference between Bengali (WB, India) and Bangladeshi identity. They are different. Bangladeshi people are often confused as Bengali. But they are culturally different. They (Bangladeshi) have distinguishable language with accent, history, culture and geographical demarcation. A Bangladeshi may claim to be but not exactly a Bengali. They use Bengali as co-identity.
Normally the refugee Bangladeshi people in WB claim Bengali as their official mother tongue and official identity. Virtually it is their step-motherly tongue and step-fatherly identity. But due to emotional attachment of 1971 war this fact is unknown and kept secret (self written by K Sarkar).
7.6. Use Bengali-Bangladeshi as Co-Identity or Joint-Identity
I like to disclose some hidden facts about the society and culture of Bengal and Bangladesh. Refugee people from Bangladesh try to hide their original identity and try to cover up them with standard Bengali identity.
I rather suggest them to use co-identity or joint identity.
If you use Bengali as the only official identity for all the ethnicity as well as society culture of this region then the contribution made by Bangladeshi people is denied.
Hence I suggest Bengali-Bangladesi co-identity. Now Hindi-Urdu is considered co-language.
In biology Darwin's theory of evolution is now called Darwin-Lamarc theory. In this way Bangladeshi contributions will be recognized. (Self-written by K Sarkar)
Why to convert to some other religious faiths. Let us reform our faith through debates and brainstorming as per the need of time and situation. If we leave our ancestral traditions and rituals , then who will protect and practice our traditions . obviously , no on will. I am not saying that our existing customs and traditions , are all scientific and relevant of the time . But those irrelevant and superstitious beliefs may be discarded through public opinions and consents . Let us organised and reshape our rituals and traditions as per the need of modern time and necessities.
ReplyDelete