Kumaoni people

Kurmanchal Kingdom

The Kurmanchal kingdom was a medieval kingdom of Kumaon. it was established by Vasudeo Katyuri. Its capital was Baijnath. It was one of the oldest Himalayan kingdoms, unified most of the Himalayas, and extended from Sikkim in the east to Kumaon in the west at its peak. After the fall of the kingdom, it was divided into eight princely states. The next ruling clan of Kumaon were the Chands. The dynasty at its peak controlled the Tons to the Karnail river. Kumaon was one of the few countries of South Asia that were never ruled or conquered by any Muslim dynasties.^[6]

British Raj

There was widespread opposition to British rule in various parts of Kumaon. The Kumaoni people, especially from the Champawat District, rose in rebellion against the British during the Indian Rebellion of 1857. Under the leadership of Kalu Singh Mahara, many Kumaonis also joined the Indian National Army led by Subash Chandra Bose during the Second World War.^[7]

In other countries

In Nepal there are castes of Brahmins who migrated from Kumaon to Nepal during the medieval period. They are now characterized as 'Kumain Bahun' or 'Kumai Bahuns'.^[3]

Thul-jat Rajputs

Thul-jat Rajputs(Thakur-Rajput) are immigrant warrior clans and titles who migrated into Kumaon during early political formations. They held power as landlords, soldiers, and administrators. They trace their lineage to Rajput dynasties from western India.^[9] Examples: Rautela^[10][11], Chand^[12], Negi^[13][14][15], Chauhan^[16], Rawat^[17], Bisht^[17],etc

Bhal Brahmins

These Brahmins migrated with Rajput settlers and served as priests and advisors. They are the highest in ritual rank and are associated with Vedic practices and Sanskritic. Migrated from plains.^[9] Examples: Chauthani^[18][19], Joshi^[20], Upadhyay, Pant^[21][22],

Khasi Rajputs

Khasi Rajputs are the original martial and landowning castes of Kumaon who were later absorbed into the Rajput status system. Despite similar roles, they are considered lower in status than Thuljat Rajputs.^[9] Examples: Banari^[23],Khas Rajput^[24],Bhotiya^[25] etc

Khasi Brahmins

These are indigenous priestly communities who performed religious functions across villages. Though respected locally, they rank below Bhal Brahmins in ritual hierarchy.^[9] Examples: Baithariya^[26],Banari^[26], Baneriya^[26], Bhanautiya^[26], Chaudase^[26], Chaunal^[26], Chavanral^[26], Chatgulia^[26], Daurba^[26], Dhulari^[26], Dhunila^[26], Dobhal^[26], Gahtyare^[26], Garmola^[26], Ghushuri^[26], Hatwal^[26], Kanyani^[26], Kanseri^[26], Kapheriya^[26], Kaphuli^[26], Kholiya^[26], Kunwala^[26], Kuthari^[26], Laimdari^[26], Lweshali^[26], Nainwal^[26], Oliya^[26], Pancholi^[26], Thapliyal^[26],Bhotiya^[27] etc

Dom

The Doms are described as a group traditionally regarded as polluting and were largely employed as servants and slaves. Within their own community, the Doms were divided into artisans and agricultural labourers, performing roles essential to society but considered low in social status.^[28][29] Examples:Koli^[28], Tamta^[28], Car^[28], Bara^[28], Lohar^[28], Jirua^[28], Dhari^[28], Bhool^[28],Baruri^[28], Bnasfor^[28], Chimariya^[28], Chmar^[28], Bakchariya^[28], Dhuna^[28], Hankia^[28], Bndi^[28], Hurkici^[28], Dnrzi^[28], Dholi^[28], Dunryogi^[28], Bhand^[28], Halia^[28] etc.

Traditional attire

Various attires are worn in Kumaon.

Pichhaura is a traditional attire of Kumaoni women, generally worn for religious occasions, marriage, and other rituals. Traditionally handmade using vegetable dyes, pichhauras are available in red and saffron. Local designs made in Almora, Haldwani and other parts of Kumaon use silk and accessories made of pearl. It is now made using machines.^[30]

Kumaoni men wear the black Kumaoni cap. White Kumaoni caps are worn during festivals, especially, during Kumaoni Holi.

Festivals

After harvesting season people mostly relax, rejoice, dance and sing, and thus a festival is generated. At the transition of the sun from one constellation to another Sankranti is observed. Each Sankranti has a fair or festival connected to it somewhere in Kumaon. Fooldeyi, Bikhauti, Harela, Ghee Sankranti, Khatarua, Ghughutiya are the most-observed Sankranties throughout the region. Other festivals have the bearings in the moon and thus the dates change frequently in the Gregorian Calendar. Basant Panchami, Shiv Ratri, Saton–Athon, Kumauni Holi, Uttarayani,^[31] Samvatsar Parwa, Ram Navami, Dashra, Batsavitri, Rakshabandhan, Janmastmi, Nandastmi, and Deepawali are some of the auspicious occasions.^[32]

Folk dances

Chholiya is popular dance in Kumaon region. It is the oldest folk-dance of Uttarakhand.^[35] Jhoda and Chanchari are other folk dances of Kumaon.

Theatre

Kumaoni theatre, which developed through its 'Ramleela' plays,^[36] later evolved into a modern theatre form through the efforts of theatre stalwarts like Mohan Upreti and Dinesh Pandey and groups like 'Parvatiya Kala Kendra' (started by Mohan Upreti) and 'Parvatiya Lok Kala Manch'. Besides this the famous Hindi poet, Sumitranandan Pant also hailed from Kausani, district Bageshwar.

Radio

• Trans World Radio (USA) – 7320 Hz (Shortwave)^[37]

Cuisine

Kumaoni food is simple and comprises largely of vegetables and pulses. Vegetables like potato (aaloo), radish (mooli), colocacia leaves (arbi ke patte, papad), pumpkin (kaddoo), spinach (palak) and many others are grown locally by the largely agrarian populace and consumed in various forms.

In Kumaon

As per 2011 Indian census, there were 1,981,062 (95.19%) Kumaoni speakers in the Kumaon division.^[38]

Kumaoni diaspora

There is a large Kumaoni diaspora in other states as well as outside India. However, due to the usage and acceptance of Hindi as their mother tongue, many Kumaonis do not list the Kumaoni language as their mother tongue. Hence there is an absence of data number of ethnic Kumaonis living outside Kumaon.