Pub Date : 2023-06-13DOI: 10.3126/dsaj.v17i02.55714
M. Subedi
Loss of a loved one is deeply emotional. This obituary paper is about Professor Gregory G. Maskarinec (May 16, 1951-June 16, 2022), a true friend, an academic intellectual and an honest researcher of medical anthropology. Working with him and sharing ideas with open mind was a great opportunity for me and many scholars in Nepal. Based on collaborative work, interaction and the interview with Professor Gregory, in his remembrance, I have highlighted his academic background and work experiences, friendship and collaborative work, my privilege and opportunities to write about him for his professorship and some of the dreams that could not happen due to his sudden demise. My deepest sympathies are with his family.
失去所爱的人是非常令人激动的。这篇讣告是关于Gregory G. Maskarinec教授(1951年5月16日- 2022年6月16日)，一位真正的朋友，一位学术知识分子和一位诚实的医学人类学研究者。与他一起工作，以开放的心态分享思想，对我和尼泊尔的许多学者来说是一个很好的机会。在与Gregory教授的合作、互动和访谈中，在他的回忆中，我强调了他的学术背景和工作经历、友谊和合作、我为他的教授职位写作的特权和机会，以及由于他的突然去世而无法实现的一些梦想。我对他的家人表示最深切的同情。
{"title":"Professor Gregory: From Shamans of Jajarkot to Dr. Govinda KC’s Hunger Strike Research","authors":"M. Subedi","doi":"10.3126/dsaj.v17i02.55714","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/dsaj.v17i02.55714","url":null,"abstract":"Loss of a loved one is deeply emotional. This obituary paper is about Professor Gregory G. Maskarinec (May 16, 1951-June 16, 2022), a true friend, an academic intellectual and an honest researcher of medical anthropology. Working with him and sharing ideas with open mind was a great opportunity for me and many scholars in Nepal. Based on collaborative work, interaction and the interview with Professor Gregory, in his remembrance, I have highlighted his academic background and work experiences, friendship and collaborative work, my privilege and opportunities to write about him for his professorship and some of the dreams that could not happen due to his sudden demise. My deepest sympathies are with his family.","PeriodicalId":30105,"journal":{"name":"Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41468421","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-04-25DOI: 10.3126/dsaj.v17i01.46823
R. Pandey, Prabha Bhattarai
Marital adjustment implicates both the family and professional life of women. It has, however, not received adequate research attention in Nepal. This paper assesses the marital adjustment of working women and housewives in Kathmandu, Nepal, using the Marital Adjustment Inventory developed by Kumar and Rohatgi (1976). Data are collected using face-to-face interviews with 270 women selected through purposive-cluster sampling. The data were analyzed using descriptive and bi-variate level inferential statistics. Most respondents were well-educated young Newa community women living in joint families. Married women of Kathmandu Valley enjoy fairly well-adjusted conjugal union, with even better adjustment of working women since their earnings act as power. The bi-variate level test indicated a significantly associated between age at marriage, working status, monthly income, and type of family with marital adjustment. However, the prevailing scholarship indicates that factors affecting marital adjustment are not universal. Rather, they are context-specific. Working women of joint families showed higher levels of marital adjustment, indicating the strength of power (money as resources) and socio-cultural norms for family bonds for family happiness. While these findings seek policy recognition and practical translation of these elements under a wider approach to women’s empowerment and family well-being, we also recommend women go to work rather than stay at home, for a better conjugal relationship.
{"title":"To Go to Work or Stay at Home for Better Conjugal Relations? Reflection from Married Women of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal","authors":"R. Pandey, Prabha Bhattarai","doi":"10.3126/dsaj.v17i01.46823","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/dsaj.v17i01.46823","url":null,"abstract":"Marital adjustment implicates both the family and professional life of women. It has, however, not received adequate research attention in Nepal. This paper assesses the marital adjustment of working women and housewives in Kathmandu, Nepal, using the Marital Adjustment Inventory developed by Kumar and Rohatgi (1976). Data are collected using face-to-face interviews with 270 women selected through purposive-cluster sampling. The data were analyzed using descriptive and bi-variate level inferential statistics. Most respondents were well-educated young Newa community women living in joint families. Married women of Kathmandu Valley enjoy fairly well-adjusted conjugal union, with even better adjustment of working women since their earnings act as power. The bi-variate level test indicated a significantly associated between age at marriage, working status, monthly income, and type of family with marital adjustment. However, the prevailing scholarship indicates that factors affecting marital adjustment are not universal. Rather, they are context-specific. Working women of joint families showed higher levels of marital adjustment, indicating the strength of power (money as resources) and socio-cultural norms for family bonds for family happiness. While these findings seek policy recognition and practical translation of these elements under a wider approach to women’s empowerment and family well-being, we also recommend women go to work rather than stay at home, for a better conjugal relationship.","PeriodicalId":30105,"journal":{"name":"Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48218626","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-12-31DOI: 10.3126/dsaj.v16i01.50972
S. Panta
Majhis have coped with marginal resources in the Neoliberal economic context and are facing many problems. This article focuses on the Majhi people and their livelihood transformation from traditional occupation. The main objectives of this study are to explore the present condition of the Majhi people in Baglung and how they got into their traditional profession. This study adopts qualitative data based on observations, case studies, and in-depth interviews through primary and secondary sources of literature review. Majhi people have coped with marginal resources in the Neoliberal economic context and facing many problems. They usually change their traditional occupations to boating, selling firewood, gold mining, and fishing. There are forced to change their livelihoods due to globalization. Modern means of transportation and limited income are insufficient to fulfill their basic needs. They face social, economic, and physical difficulties in their daily lives. Globalization and modern modes of transportation present them with more challenges and fewer opportunities because of the construction of the Pokhara-Baglung highway. Majhi people have not been able to easily grasp opportunities for political, social, and educational changes due to a lack of education after abandoning their traditional occupation and living place due to the construction of Pokhara- Baglung highway. This paper will be valuable for policy maker and, future researchers, and academia as well.
{"title":"Development Defect: A Case Study on Destroying Indigeneity of Majhi Community","authors":"S. Panta","doi":"10.3126/dsaj.v16i01.50972","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/dsaj.v16i01.50972","url":null,"abstract":"Majhis have coped with marginal resources in the Neoliberal economic context and are facing many problems. This article focuses on the Majhi people and their livelihood transformation from traditional occupation. The main objectives of this study are to explore the present condition of the Majhi people in Baglung and how they got into their traditional profession. This study adopts qualitative data based on observations, case studies, and in-depth interviews through primary and secondary sources of literature review. Majhi people have coped with marginal resources in the Neoliberal economic context and facing many problems. They usually change their traditional occupations to boating, selling firewood, gold mining, and fishing. There are forced to change their livelihoods due to globalization. Modern means of transportation and limited income are insufficient to fulfill their basic needs. They face social, economic, and physical difficulties in their daily lives. Globalization and modern modes of transportation present them with more challenges and fewer opportunities because of the construction of the Pokhara-Baglung highway. Majhi people have not been able to easily grasp opportunities for political, social, and educational changes due to a lack of education after abandoning their traditional occupation and living place due to the construction of Pokhara- Baglung highway. This paper will be valuable for policy maker and, future researchers, and academia as well.","PeriodicalId":30105,"journal":{"name":"Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42612405","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-12-31DOI: 10.3126/dsaj.v16i01.50979
D. Ghimire
Many studies show that corruption negatively affects public investment, reduces government revenue, misuses public resources, and decreases expenditure and quality of life for the people. It is also considered the leading cause behind the low quality of infrastructure, damaging social, economic, political, and infrastructural development. Similarly, corruption also hinders development because it distorts resources affecting economic growth and service delivery. So, corruption and underdevelopment have a positive correlation. Corruption has been a major driving force behind underdevelopment in many countries. This article is written based on secondary data. The content of news published in newspapers was analyzed during the study. This paper reveals the prevalence of high levels of corruption in the governance system and development activities is the main reason behind the underdevelopment in Nepal.
{"title":"Corruption and Underdevelopment in Nepal: A Content Analysis","authors":"D. Ghimire","doi":"10.3126/dsaj.v16i01.50979","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/dsaj.v16i01.50979","url":null,"abstract":"Many studies show that corruption negatively affects public investment, reduces government revenue, misuses public resources, and decreases expenditure and quality of life for the people. It is also considered the leading cause behind the low quality of infrastructure, damaging social, economic, political, and infrastructural development. Similarly, corruption also hinders development because it distorts resources affecting economic growth and service delivery. So, corruption and underdevelopment have a positive correlation. Corruption has been a major driving force behind underdevelopment in many countries. This article is written based on secondary data. The content of news published in newspapers was analyzed during the study. This paper reveals the prevalence of high levels of corruption in the governance system and development activities is the main reason behind the underdevelopment in Nepal.","PeriodicalId":30105,"journal":{"name":"Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49349005","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-12-31DOI: 10.3126/dsaj.v16i01.50943
M. Maharjan
With increasing migration, commodification of land, and urbanization in Kathmandu, there is growing interaction and antagonism between local landowners and groups who wish to own land, which has generated a discourse about land. This paper considers perceptions, beliefs, practices, and policies about land as discourse on land. Such discourse included meanings and uses of land. On discourse about landownership, land seekers think that Newars do not need the land that they are historically owning, and land brokers (dalāls) are suggesting landowners to sell land and build houses or live off on the interest of the money by depositing it in the bank. Dalāls act not only as intermediaries between owners and buyers in the land market but as amplifiers and communicators, and often as creators, of discourse. The physical and socio-economic environment of Kathmandu is changing in such a way that landowners are unable to hold, or hold for long, their land, and they are becoming increasingly influenced by the discourse that land is a high-value commodity that should be sold. Such discourse can be explained by the political economic theory that considers the city as a growth machine that commodifies space for private profit-making and capital accumulation.
{"title":"Discourse on Land in Kathmandu","authors":"M. Maharjan","doi":"10.3126/dsaj.v16i01.50943","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/dsaj.v16i01.50943","url":null,"abstract":"With increasing migration, commodification of land, and urbanization in Kathmandu, there is growing interaction and antagonism between local landowners and groups who wish to own land, which has generated a discourse about land. This paper considers perceptions, beliefs, practices, and policies about land as discourse on land. Such discourse included meanings and uses of land. On discourse about landownership, land seekers think that Newars do not need the land that they are historically owning, and land brokers (dalāls) are suggesting landowners to sell land and build houses or live off on the interest of the money by depositing it in the bank. Dalāls act not only as intermediaries between owners and buyers in the land market but as amplifiers and communicators, and often as creators, of discourse. The physical and socio-economic environment of Kathmandu is changing in such a way that landowners are unable to hold, or hold for long, their land, and they are becoming increasingly influenced by the discourse that land is a high-value commodity that should be sold. Such discourse can be explained by the political economic theory that considers the city as a growth machine that commodifies space for private profit-making and capital accumulation.","PeriodicalId":30105,"journal":{"name":"Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"69264357","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-12-31DOI: 10.3126/dsaj.v16i01.50933
Namrata Khawas
Street vending is an important component of the informal economy of a city. It forms the major base of livelihood for a significant proportion of the urban poor. Embedded with the conceptual, theoretical, and methodological realm of urban anthropology and the right to the city, this article assesses vendors’ striving for subsistence livelihoods amidst the increased rigidness of local authorities towards them in Pokhara. Based on qualitative data collected through the ethnographic fieldwork carried out in the market centers of Pokhara Metropolitan City, this article documents the struggle of women street vendors against challenges posed by metropolis authority and their police, customers, and shopkeepers. As captured in stories, they strive against these challenges to support their livelihood. Their ceaseless striving for urban space for undertaking vending practices continues. The tireless engagement of the street vendors in coping with the adversities created by different agencies is an indication that they have been claiming certain kinds of rights over urban space in Pokhara City.
{"title":"Striving for Urban Space: A Case of Street Vendors of Pokhara, Nepal","authors":"Namrata Khawas","doi":"10.3126/dsaj.v16i01.50933","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/dsaj.v16i01.50933","url":null,"abstract":"Street vending is an important component of the informal economy of a city. It forms the major base of livelihood for a significant proportion of the urban poor. Embedded with the conceptual, theoretical, and methodological realm of urban anthropology and the right to the city, this article assesses vendors’ striving for subsistence livelihoods amidst the increased rigidness of local authorities towards them in Pokhara. Based on qualitative data collected through the ethnographic fieldwork carried out in the market centers of Pokhara Metropolitan City, this article documents the struggle of women street vendors against challenges posed by metropolis authority and their police, customers, and shopkeepers. As captured in stories, they strive against these challenges to support their livelihood. Their ceaseless striving for urban space for undertaking vending practices continues. The tireless engagement of the street vendors in coping with the adversities created by different agencies is an indication that they have been claiming certain kinds of rights over urban space in Pokhara City.","PeriodicalId":30105,"journal":{"name":"Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47772379","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-12-31DOI: 10.3126/dsaj.v16i01.50982
Prem Bhandari
This research note briefly describes the levels of measurement of variables and their applications in the quantitative analysis of survey data. It first presents the concept of the measurement of variables. Second, the four levels of measurements, namely, nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio, with examples are offered. Then, the application of these measurement levels to the statistical analysis of data at the univariate (descriptive statistics), bivariate, and multivariate (e.g., binary logistic and multiple linear regression) levels are discussed. This note is expected to be useful to the beginning (naïve) scholars for real-world application of statistical tools to analyze survey data.
{"title":"A Note on Survey Research Methods Levels of Measurement: Foundational Basis for Quantitative Analysis of Survey Data","authors":"Prem Bhandari","doi":"10.3126/dsaj.v16i01.50982","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/dsaj.v16i01.50982","url":null,"abstract":"This research note briefly describes the levels of measurement of variables and their applications in the quantitative analysis of survey data. It first presents the concept of the measurement of variables. Second, the four levels of measurements, namely, nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio, with examples are offered. Then, the application of these measurement levels to the statistical analysis of data at the univariate (descriptive statistics), bivariate, and multivariate (e.g., binary logistic and multiple linear regression) levels are discussed. This note is expected to be useful to the beginning (naïve) scholars for real-world application of statistical tools to analyze survey data.","PeriodicalId":30105,"journal":{"name":"Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44196697","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-12-31DOI: 10.3126/dsaj.v16i01.50916
Om P. Gurung
Equality is perceived as the backbone of a democratic society. But inequality, whether horizontal or vertical and objective or perceived, exists even in a democratic society and Nepal is not an exception. The political mission of the Nepali state is to create an equal and inclusive society by eliminating all forms of discrimination and oppression created by the feudal, autocratic, centralized, and unitary state on the ground of origin, race, religion, caste, class, language, gender, and geographical specificities and protect and promote unity in diversity, social solidarity, and cultural harmony. To achieve its mission, the government has introduced various laws/bylaws and pursued various policy measures and development programs, such as social inclusion and affirmative action, as remedies for discrimination and inequality. However, these laws, policies, and programs have not led discriminated and marginalized communities to equality and social justice as they continue to remain discriminated against and unequal. In this paper, I argue that discrimination and inequality in Nepal is a structural problem, for Nepal is a hierarchically stratified society based on caste. In such a caste-based hierarchically stratified society, discrimination, inequality, and injustice cannot be removed easily without the state’s strong intervention with appropriate social measures. In this context, all laws/bylaws, policies, and programs initiated and introduced by the government are to mask the problems of discrimination and inequality and disguise indigenous peoples and marginalized communities. They are part of remedies, not an end-all cure. These partial remedies are neither adequate nor effective and appropriate to address grievances of historically discriminated indigenous and other marginalized communities. As a result, Nepal is still in a state of ethnic conflict. I have substantiated my arguments with empirical evidence (primarily qualitative data), which I have collected from ethnographic field research. I have also used quantitative data from secondary sources which is essential to supplement my qualitative data.
{"title":"Social Inequality and Ethnic Conflict in Nepal","authors":"Om P. Gurung","doi":"10.3126/dsaj.v16i01.50916","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/dsaj.v16i01.50916","url":null,"abstract":"Equality is perceived as the backbone of a democratic society. But inequality, whether horizontal or vertical and objective or perceived, exists even in a democratic society and Nepal is not an exception. The political mission of the Nepali state is to create an equal and inclusive society by eliminating all forms of discrimination and oppression created by the feudal, autocratic, centralized, and unitary state on the ground of origin, race, religion, caste, class, language, gender, and geographical specificities and protect and promote unity in diversity, social solidarity, and cultural harmony. To achieve its mission, the government has introduced various laws/bylaws and pursued various policy measures and development programs, such as social inclusion and affirmative action, as remedies for discrimination and inequality. However, these laws, policies, and programs have not led discriminated and marginalized communities to equality and social justice as they continue to remain discriminated against and unequal. In this paper, I argue that discrimination and inequality in Nepal is a structural problem, for Nepal is a hierarchically stratified society based on caste. In such a caste-based hierarchically stratified society, discrimination, inequality, and injustice cannot be removed easily without the state’s strong intervention with appropriate social measures. In this context, all laws/bylaws, policies, and programs initiated and introduced by the government are to mask the problems of discrimination and inequality and disguise indigenous peoples and marginalized communities. They are part of remedies, not an end-all cure. These partial remedies are neither adequate nor effective and appropriate to address grievances of historically discriminated indigenous and other marginalized communities. As a result, Nepal is still in a state of ethnic conflict. I have substantiated my arguments with empirical evidence (primarily qualitative data), which I have collected from ethnographic field research. I have also used quantitative data from secondary sources which is essential to supplement my qualitative data.","PeriodicalId":30105,"journal":{"name":"Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45723938","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-12-31DOI: 10.3126/dsaj.v16i01.50920
Kumar Prasad Aryal
Scholars have carried out studies on different dimensions of the 2015 earthquakes. However, inequality in reconstruction has not been understood sufficiently in the context of Nepal. Taking this issue into consideration, this paper explores the issues of inequality in the reconstruction of private houses of different classes and caste/ethnic groups during the recovery from the earthquake. Based on this context study focuses on the behavioral and organizational response approach to disaster to handle the reconstruction process. This research was conducted in Dharmasthali of Kathmandu district in April 2016. The study adopted an ethnographic approach based on both primary and secondary sources. Data was collected through participant observation, in-depth interviews, key informant interviews, and informal discussions with earthquake victims, and representatives of government officials and different community-based organizations. Immediately after the earthquake, victims built temporary shelters either on their own or with support from state and non-state actors. The temporary shelters built by the people revealed the unequal capacity of the victims for reconstruction and also existing social inequality. The study shows that the poorer sections of the community bear the significant impact of disasters like earthquakes. Those with access to resources can construct their homes easily, but the poor face significant challenges in reconstruction. The study concludes that during disasters there is a need for government assistance to be generous and rules to be sufficiently flexible to enable the poorer victims to reconstruct their homes and lives.
{"title":"Inequality in Post Earthquake Reconstruction: An Ethnographic Account of a Peri-urban Locality in the Northern Part of Kathmandu","authors":"Kumar Prasad Aryal","doi":"10.3126/dsaj.v16i01.50920","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/dsaj.v16i01.50920","url":null,"abstract":"Scholars have carried out studies on different dimensions of the 2015 earthquakes. However, inequality in reconstruction has not been understood sufficiently in the context of Nepal. Taking this issue into consideration, this paper explores the issues of inequality in the reconstruction of private houses of different classes and caste/ethnic groups during the recovery from the earthquake. Based on this context study focuses on the behavioral and organizational response approach to disaster to handle the reconstruction process. This research was conducted in Dharmasthali of Kathmandu district in April 2016. The study adopted an ethnographic approach based on both primary and secondary sources. Data was collected through participant observation, in-depth interviews, key informant interviews, and informal discussions with earthquake victims, and representatives of government officials and different community-based organizations. Immediately after the earthquake, victims built temporary shelters either on their own or with support from state and non-state actors. The temporary shelters built by the people revealed the unequal capacity of the victims for reconstruction and also existing social inequality. The study shows that the poorer sections of the community bear the significant impact of disasters like earthquakes. Those with access to resources can construct their homes easily, but the poor face significant challenges in reconstruction. The study concludes that during disasters there is a need for government assistance to be generous and rules to be sufficiently flexible to enable the poorer victims to reconstruct their homes and lives.","PeriodicalId":30105,"journal":{"name":"Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45209713","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2022-12-31DOI: 10.3126/dsaj.v16i01.50947
B. Subedi
Today's world is increasingly recognizing the value of indigenous knowledge and expressing concern over its erosion. The protection of indigenous knowledge has been a global policy priority. This paper draws from a qualitative study conducted in a village setting in South-West Nepal and aims to reflect on the local narratives of the erosion of indigenous health knowledge and practices (IHKPs). Data were collected from healers, patients, and key informants using interview and observation methods and analyzed thematically. The findings are organized in five broad themes: (i) The context of socio-economic change, (ii) Existing health knowledge and practices, (iii) A decline in herbal literacy and home remedy, (iv) Market influence, increased healthcare options, and the shrinking role of traditional healers, and (v) Value perceptions of indigenous knowledge. Though IHKPs remain an inseparable part of community life, the field narratives strongly indicate a decline in home and community-based health practices and an intergenerational loss of herbal knowledge. Taking insight from the critical medical anthropological perspective, this paper discusses the micro-experience and macro-influence and argues for recognizing the health knowledge of indigenous communities. The recognition of knowledge should be a political and policy decision in protecting and promoting IHKPs.
{"title":"Whose Knowledge Counts? A Reflection on the Field Narratives of Indigenous Health Knowledge and Practices","authors":"B. Subedi","doi":"10.3126/dsaj.v16i01.50947","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3126/dsaj.v16i01.50947","url":null,"abstract":"Today's world is increasingly recognizing the value of indigenous knowledge and expressing concern over its erosion. The protection of indigenous knowledge has been a global policy priority. This paper draws from a qualitative study conducted in a village setting in South-West Nepal and aims to reflect on the local narratives of the erosion of indigenous health knowledge and practices (IHKPs). Data were collected from healers, patients, and key informants using interview and observation methods and analyzed thematically. The findings are organized in five broad themes: (i) The context of socio-economic change, (ii) Existing health knowledge and practices, (iii) A decline in herbal literacy and home remedy, (iv) Market influence, increased healthcare options, and the shrinking role of traditional healers, and (v) Value perceptions of indigenous knowledge. Though IHKPs remain an inseparable part of community life, the field narratives strongly indicate a decline in home and community-based health practices and an intergenerational loss of herbal knowledge. Taking insight from the critical medical anthropological perspective, this paper discusses the micro-experience and macro-influence and argues for recognizing the health knowledge of indigenous communities. The recognition of knowledge should be a political and policy decision in protecting and promoting IHKPs.","PeriodicalId":30105,"journal":{"name":"Dhaulagiri Journal of Sociology and Anthropology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48597722","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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