This is what happens among the Dum community in remote parts of Siraha district. It is an age-old tradition among the people of the community, one of the most backward Dalit groups, living in remote parts of Siraha. [break]
Lattu Malik of Gadha VDC-2 bought Chakdaha village from Upendra Malik at Rs 20,000.
Now, only Lattu has the right to sell various local products made up of bamboo in Chakdaha where around 5,000 people are dwelling, said Bhola Malik, a local of Gadha-2. “He also has the right to collect Dakshina (doles) if anyone organises marriage, pooja, feast etc in the village.”
If any alien person sells the products in the village owned by another Dum, the person is subjected to pay a fine set by the local Dum community.
The type of punishment is also strange. “The rule breaker has to throw a pig party to all the members of the local Dum community,” said Dorpati Malik, a local.
Similar to the process while buying and selling land, a due process is followed when one sells or purchases a village.
Income from the sales of bamboo products and Dakshina are the only source of incomes for the new owner of a village, said Lattu.
There are about 2,000 Dums in Siraha and they buy up to three villages. Some of them had sold the village due to financial constraint.
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