Gone are the days when the people from Pamariya tribe made a living by singing and dancing to celebrate new birth in households of Tarai villages.[break]
These days, with villagers turning reluctant to invite Pamariyas for celebration of new birth, most Pamariyas are migrating to India, especially to Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, in search of jobs.
“Only a decade ago, people happily offered us money, sometimes even gold,” recollects Israel Pamariya, 65, who lives in Pakari VDC of Saptari district. “Today, we don´t even get food and clothes.” The people are no longer affluent, therefore, they have stopped following traditional practices, opined Israel.
“Sadly, most of us have no other skills,” he said. “This is why most of my friends and their families have left for India for a better living.”
While many Pamariaya families continue to perform in the villages in India, youths from the community have begun taking up other jobs. “If we had a choice, we would never leave our native land, but we have been forced to do so to earn a livelihood,” said Isarel.
According to Shyam Sunder Yadav, chairman of Maithali Traditional Academy, most Pamariays don´t own lands for farming and have no other skills to fall back on. "They have become victims of circumstances," Yadav said.
“Pamariyas have mainly settled in Saptari but lack of employment opportunities has set off their migration,” said Yadav, a scholar who has been studying the Pamariya people in Nepal.
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