Tajpuriya Whose Historically, Culturally & Linguistically Similar To Rajbanshi Community

Tajpurias are a indigenous group mainly found in the districts of Jhapa and Morang. Though their language and culture are almost akin to the Rajbanshis, Tajpuria women do not pierce their nose and use ornaments as Rajbanshi women do. No marriage takes between these two communities. Tajpurias have their own religion. Alcohol is a must in all religions rituals. They are engaged in artistic craftsmanship different from the Rajbanshis. Farming is the major occupation of Tajpurias. Though Rajbanshis and Tajpurias dress similarly, the latter are expert at hand stitching. They bury their dead. According to Census 2001, their population is 13,250

Culturally and linguistically they are similar to Rajbanshi

ImageTajpuriya is an indigenous people settled primarily in Jhapa and Morang districts of Nepal. Culturally and linguistically they are similar to Rajbansi, which is another indigenous people. Some consider them to have come from Mongoloid stock while others believe them to have come from Austroasian stock. Since the language spoken by Rajbanshis is called Tajpuriya Bhasa, it is inferred on this basis that Rajbansis are influenced by Tajpurian civilization (Bista, 1996; Sharma, 2045). They live in the western part of Jhapa district and the eastern part of Morang district. It is believed that Tajpurias, like Rajbansis, had some time ago moved from Kuch Bihar to Nepal. They are considered the first inhabitants or indigenous people of this area. According to the national census of 2001, the population of Tajpurias is 13,250.

Since Rajbansis, who have renounced the original language of Koches, speak the language of Tajpurias as a result of being influenced by Hindus, Rajbanshi language is in fact the language of Tajpurias (Bista, 1996). It is a language in which Bangla is mixed with Assamese (Sharma, BS2046).

Various procedures are completed by midwives or baby-sitters during childbirth. Marriage, like that of Rajbansis, has five different approaches. But the nose of a Rajbanshi woman is pierced and an ornament is hanged in the hole while Tajpurian woman need not do so. The funeral rites are complete when the corpse of the dead is buried. Tajpurian women wear petani (a kneelong dress put around the waist) like the Rajbanshi women. They observe Siruwa Parva and other festivals. Women are highly respected in Tajpurian society. There is no specific social discrimination among Tajpuriyas compared to Rajbanshi community.

Tajpurias are worshippers of nature. Although they observe Hindu festivals, they never use Brahmin priests. Their main occupation is agriculture. Like Rajbansis they were owners of land. They are skilled in masonry. The Tajpurian women are considered highly skilled in weaving clothes on looms..

Ref:: www.ncard.org.np/categorydetail/tajpuria.html