An Ethnographic Study of Rana Tharu of Nepal

The research paper is based on the Rana Tharu of sudurpaschim province of Nepal. Rana Tharus are one of the indigenous and ethnic groups in Kailali and Kanchanpur district of Sudurpaschim province of Nepal. The objective of this study is to find out the Socio- cultural life of Rana Tharu of Sudurpaschim Nepal. For this purpose, Rana Tharu community village of Kanchanpur district was selected as a study area. In this research the qalitative research tools and techniques are employed. The Bhalmansha, Chakar, Kurma are the part of social structure of Rana Tharu. The clarity of division of work among these institutions has enabled to maintain and establish unique ethnic identity for Rana Tharus. The various festivals and ceremonies practiced and followed by Rana Tharu functions to reinforce and strengthen cooperation, harmony and social solidarity. The Rana tharu community live in large family in the past decades but now days practice in nuclear family. In Rana Tharu women have a good position in their community. Women spend more time on their home, cooking and cleaning house. Man work hard and they do work outside of house. Â Various social-cultural institutions, traditions and practices followed by Rana Tharu which has developed social solidarity and cooperation among Rana Tharu. This community lives in worm climate of the terai region of Sudurpaschim which is very good for agriculture.