Displaying 1 - 7 of 7
<p>The author argues that for understanding of Jirel cultural meanings, in-depth investigation of all aspects of their language is necessary. The article then surveys some Jirel vocabulary. Jirel is one of the languages included in the Sino-Tibetan language family. The article includes tables containing Jirel kin terms and their extensions, raksi and chang vocabulary, and Jirel household terms. (Rajeev Ranjan Singh 2006-10-12)</p>
<p>The article describes the rites and rituals of the Jirels of eastern Nepal. The Jirels practice Lamaistic Buddhism but also visit Hindu shrines according to Bista (1980:71). The Jirels are distributed among clans and every clan worships their kul devata. The assembly of clansmen to worship their kul devata is an overt expression of their common identity as members of their respective descent groups. The different clans worship different deities. The Devlinga and Meyokpa clans worship Nangy Laha, Garchiga worship Cheramjo, the Serba and Thurbido and Chungpate clans worship Chyomu. (Rajeev Ranjan Singh 2006-10-14)</p>
<p>The article discusses the traditional Jirel political structure. The Jirels are the indigenous population occupying the Jiri valley in the Dolakha district of eastern Nepal. The article attempts to describe the position of the Jirels within the local political structure and to determine some of the factors that continue to keep them at the bottom of the political and economic hierarchy. The article writes about the participation of Jiri in politics in the panchayat period and post multi-party period. (Rajeev Ranjan Singh 2006-10-11)</p>
<p>The article gives an account of the Phombos. Phombos are the traditional healers and shamans of the Jirels. The article is an extension of the article "Jirel Religion" from the same volume, which describes on the role of the Phombos in the clan rituals of the Jirel. This article also discusses the functions of the Phombo and includes their similarities with lamas and jhakris in Nepal. (Rajeev Ranjan Singh 2006-10-13)</p>
<p>The article discusses ethnosemantics of vocabulary relating to birds in Jirel. The article starts with a brief discussion on ethnographic study and cognitive anthropology. It discusses the principles of folk biological classification. It includes tables containing Jirel names for birds, Jirel bird name binomials, sorting task results, description of selected birds, sort by altitude, sort by nesting environment, sort by food, and free sort. (Rajeev Ranjan Singh 2006-10-13)</p>
<p>The author argues that the ethnographic literature on the Jirels is extremely sparse and in this article intends to fill some of the gaps in the ethnographic literature by providing an outline of Jirel ethnogenesis, social organization, and the kinship system. The Jirels have a subsistence economy based upon the cultivation of millet, maize, wheat, barley, potato, and also rice in few lower valleys. There are several conflicting accounts concerning ethnogenesis. The Jirels are divided into 23 patrilineal, patrilocal descent groups referred to as clans and subclans. The article discusses the relation and interrelation of clans and also discusses clan leadership. The article gives a brief account of Jirel marriage. It also includes a map illustrating migration patterns in the hills of Nepal and a chart on Jirel kinship discussing some kinship terminology. (Rajeev Ranjan Singh 2006-10-14)</p>
<p>The article explores the history and impact of transportation infrastructure on the Jiri Valley in Nepal. The Jiri Valley was once isolated from other parts due to lack of transportation facilities. The Swiss Association for Technical Assistance (SATA) initiated a multipurpose development project in 1957. With the infrastructural developments, social and political changes were seen. The facility of transportation has caused changes in all major aspects of Jirel subsistence patterns and the economy. The article discusses the sociocultural consequences of transportation in the Jiri valley. The article concludes that the road has had a significant impact in the district as a whole. (Rajeev Ranjan Singh 2006-10-12)</p>