1. Background
According to the 2011 A.D. census of Nepal, the Puma Rai language is spoken by 6,686 individuals among 123 languages. However, we claim that the number of our community is even greater than this. The Puma Rai language, belonging to the Sino-Tibetan language family and the Kirati sub-group, is spoken by the Puma Rai people residing in various areas of eastern Nepal, including the former Diplu, Mauwabote, Devisthan, Chisapani, Pawasera, Saunechur, Suntale, and Faktang Ga. V. S. (currently Jante Dhunga Municipality and Barahapokhari Municipality) in Khotang district, as well as Chaurandigadhi Municipality in Udayapur district. Due to migration, the population has spread out, and the number of speakers is estimated to be declining. Previously, we, the Puma Rai, had a total of two dialects; however, we currently have four dialects, including Dabulung, Ruthum (Palun), Sakshalung Tanglung (of the Henyong community), and Ninam (the place of migration), and 14 other variants. The study of Kirat Rai has identified the Puma Rai language as highly endangered, and it has been classified by the Government of Nepal as a nearly extinct language.
2. The Need for the Organisation, Establishment, Naming, and Some Important Decisions
The Kirat Puma Rai Tupkhabangkhala is a non-profit social organisation established to unite all Puma Rai people under a common thread for the preservation of the Puma Rai language, culture, and heritage. Particularly, the increasing discourse around identity politics in Nepal and the need for support during the Mardaparda period prompted the organisation to bring together the Puma Rai residing in the Kathmandu Valley at that time. On the 4th of Poush, 2060 B.S. (December 19, 2003), the first meeting of the Puma Rai living in Kathmandu, led by Mr. Pravin Puma, was held in Talchikhel, Lalitpur. Present at this meeting were Mr. Bhupraj Rai (Chhuplung, Diplu), Mr. Durga Bahadur Rai (Ailegaira, Diplu), Mr. Rukhman Rai Sapviar (Ailegaira, Diplu), Mr. Ganesh Rai (Mawabote), Mr. Tara Rai (Mawabote), Mr. Pravin Puma (Pathibhara, Chisapani), Mr. Jaykumar Rai (Pathibhara, Chisapani), Mr. Suryabikram Rai (Pathibhara, Chisapani), Mr. Dhan Bahadur Rai (Pathibhara, Chisapani), Mr. Ashok Rai, Mr. Birbal Rai (Satmara, Diplu), and Mr. Lakhman Rai (Devisthan).
Similarly, on the 11th of Poush, 2060 B.S. (December 19, 2003), the second meeting of the Puma Rai language speakers residing in the Kathmandu Valley established an organisation named “Puma Rodungchibo Tupkhabangkhala” for the purpose of studying, researching, and preserving the religion, culture, customs, and traditions of the Kirat Puma Rai. A seven-member ad hoc committee was formed, with Mr. Tara Puma as the chairperson, Mr. Bhupraj Puma as the vice-chairperson, Mr. Krishna Puma as the treasurer, Mr. Pravin Puma as the secretary, and members Mr. Milan Puma (Kathmandu), Ms. Devika Puma (Lalitpur), and Mr. Durga Bahadur Puma (Bhaktapur). On this day, the records show that Mr. Pravin Puma, Mr. Khadag Puma, Ms. Chaturkumari Puma, Mr. Dhan Bahadur Puma, Mr. Bhupraj Puma, Ms. Krishnakumari Puma, Mr. Dhyaneppa Puma, Mr. Durga Bahadur Puma, Mr. Milan Puma, Mr. Birbal Puma, Mr. Kapil Puma, Ms. Mina Kumari Puma, Mr. Suman Puma, Ms. Naramaaya Puma, Ms. Ambika Puma, Ms. Maiya Puma, Mr. Ashu Puma, Mr. Gyan Bahadur Puma, Ms. Kamala Puma, Mr. Dipendra (Sagar) Puma, Mr. Dal Bahadur Puma, Mr. Tara Puma, Ms. Tikamaya Puma, Mr. Jas Bahadur Puma, Mr. Vivek Puma, Mr. Kumar Puma, Mr. Umesh Puma, Mr. Narendra Puma, Ms. Pavita Puma, Mr. Deshraj Puma, Mr. Bhupendra Puma, Mr. Gopal Puma, Ms. Devika Puma, and Mr. David Rai were present, among others, totalling 40 individuals.
The ad hoc committee meeting held on the same day decided that the organisation’s meetings would be held on the first Saturday of every month at 11:00 AM at the home of the chairperson, Mr. Tara Puma Rai, that a fee of NPR 50 would be collected from each member every month, a fee of NPR 25 would be collected for general membership, and that letterheads and stamps would be printed in the organisation’s name. On the same day, it was recorded that Mr. Dhan Bahadur Puma Rai, Ms. Pavita Puma Rai, Mr. Ashu Puma Rai, Mr. Kumar Puma Rai, Mr. Narendra Puma Rai, Ms. Naramaaya Puma Rai, Mr. Dipendra Puma Rai, Mr. Dal Bahadur Puma Rai, Mr. Gopal Rai, Mr. Dil Bahadur Puma Rai, Ms. Maiya Puma Rai, Mr. Karn Puma Rai, Mr. Gyan Bahadur Puma Rai, and Mr. Ambar Puma Rai became general members of the organisation.
In the meeting held on the 3rd of Magh, 2060 B.S. (January 17, 2004), a total of 24 individuals were present, and the meeting decided to add the general members Mr. Khadag Bahadur Rai, Mr. Narendra Rai, Ms. Padmakumari Rai, and Ms. Pavita Rai to the committee, expanding it to 11 members. Furthermore, it was decided that if any committee member or officer was absent from the regular meeting, they would have to pay double the usual fee, and the next meeting would be held at the house of the treasurer, Ms. Krishnakumari Rai, in Thechow. Initially, it was decided that meetings would be held at the homes or lodgings of all officers and members in a rotating system.
Likewise, the fourth meeting of the organisation was held on the 2nd of Falgun, 2060 B.S. (February 14, 2004), and the fifth meeting on the 7th of Chaitra, 2060 B.S. (March 20, 2004). In the fifth meeting, the organisation’s seal and constitution were amended and passed, and the committee was expanded by adding Mr. Narendra Rai as the assistant secretary and four others, Mr. Bhim Puma, Mr. Suryabikram Puma, Mr. Amrit Puma, and Mr. Gyan Bahadur Puma, making a total of 15 members in the committee. Additionally, the previous name of the organisation ‘Puma Rodungchibo Tupkhabangkhala’ was amended to ‘Kirat Puma Rai Tupkhabangkhala.’ Tupkha refers to the place where the Puma Rai language is spoken, while Bangkhala means a place for conversation or dialogue. These words convey a deep and far-reaching significance.
3. Affiliation and Registration of the Organisation
In the year 2003/2004, during the political transition period, it was not easy for social organisations to register. Therefore, Kirat Puma Rai became affiliated as the first linguistic organisation of the Kirat Rai community. Although other social organisations of Rai-speaking communities had been registered and functioning properly before this, there was no practice of becoming affiliated with Kirat Rai Yayokha in this manner. After the political system changed, on 23 November 2008, the organisation was formally registered at the Lalitpur District Administration Office in accordance with the Organisation Registration Act of 1977 and became affiliated with the Social Welfare Council. The registration was carried out by the central working committee elected from the second convention, led by Mr Amrit Puma Rai.
4. Objectives and Programs of the Organisation
According to Article 4 of 2008, the main objectives and programmes of the organisation are as follows:
(a) To assist in the compilation of the mother tongue (Rokongla) of the Kirat Puma Rai, including the creation of dictionaries, grammar, textbooks, curricula, etc.
(b) To collect and publish works in the Puma language, thereby enriching Puma literature.
(c) To promote the use of the Puma language in print media such as radio, television, and newspapers, as well as in educational and administrative activities, in collaboration with relevant bodies.
(d) To research and conduct studies on various festivals of the Puma Rai, the rituals from birth to death, cultural practices throughout the year, and aspects of their lifestyle.
(e) To study, research, archive, and publish significant individuals from the Puma community who have contributed meaningfully at different times, as well as important events that have influenced society.
(f) To search for and publish genealogies according to the lineage of all groups within the Kirat Puma Rai community, and to refine them accordingly.
(g) To facilitate the exchange of cooperation with the Puma Rai and all indigenous and tribal peoples both domestically and internationally.
5. Expansion of the Organisation’s Structure
Since the establishment of this organisation, district working committees have been formed in Chisapani of Khotang, Belatar of Udayapur, Dharan of Sunsari, Chhintang of Dhankuta, and Jhapa, and are actively functioning. Similarly, amidst foreign employment and migration, organisations have also been established in the names of Kirat Puma Rai Tupkhabangkhala in various countries, such as the UK, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Malaysia, and Qatar, with active participation from Puma Rai residing in these countries, conducting various activities to strengthen awareness and unity within the Puma Rai community.
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