Introduction to 'Chhantyal'

Chhantyal are believed to have thrived in sacred place called 'Chhentu' sometime in the remote past and spread along the Southern slopes Dhaulagiri Himal।Today they are found concerntrated in some village of Myagdi, Baglung, Mustang districts.Their population is beleived to be around 20,000. Chhantyal youths in traditional dress

As inhabitats of the Magrat region, the Chhantyal culture and their habits resemble those of the Magars.They have own language quite a kin to Thakali, however, the Bhalanja section of Chhantyals considers the Kusundas as their ancesters. The chhantyals are animists and profess shamanism. In most religious parctices, they are closer to the magar. In the past, they were well known for their exceptional knowledge and skills of mining. Their main occupation was mining in old days. As government banned on mining, they had to depend slowly on horticulture these days. According to census 2001, the population of chhantyal is 9,814.

Chhantyal are an indigenous people of Myagdi and Baglung districts। They have fairly large settelment in village like Gurjakhani, Malkabang, Patlekhark , Arman, Machhim, Chaurakhani, Thadakhani, Kuinekhani, Malampar, Kharikhet, Makilmi, Chinakhet, Mangalekhani, Baranja of Myagdi district and Lammela, Bongakhani, Ghosakhani, Sethara, Musikot, Ghayakhani, Bahungaun, Khungkhani, Narjakhani, Darling, Kalapatal and Khahare of Baglung district. Similarly, there are settelment of Chhantyals in some village in Gulmi too. They are nowadays found living in distrct of Mustang, Parbat, Rupandehi, Chitwan, Pokhara and Kathmandu. According to census 2001, population of chhantyal is 9814. A servey conduct by themself in 1988-1999. however, has given the number to be 10,521(Nepal Chhantyal Associaton b.s. 2055). Some people are of the view that the name Chhantyal, was given after a village called 'Chhyantu' in Baglung disttrict near Dhorpatan as they dispersed from thet village.

Chhantyal call their language 'Chhantyal kham ' and its close to the Gurung and Tamang languages.Their culture resambles that of Magars to great extent. Whereas chhantyal of bhalanja clan consider themselves as descendants of Kusunda. Chhantyal marry within their community as far as possible. Marrige can be arranged by request or by mutual consent of the bride an the bridegroom. Chhantyal can marry Magars but they have to pay fine for doing so. Magars have the practice of marrying moternal uncle's daughter only whereas chhantyal can practice cross-cousin marrige. it is reciprocal among chhantyals. Chhantyals are bury or cremate their death ones. it is practice that the eldest son undergoes rigorous funeral rites on the death of father and the youngest so does so on the death of mother and any member of hte family can undergo such funeral rites on the death of other.
Chhantyal follow Buddhist religion an animism. They believe in Dhamis and Jhakris. They worship gods an goddesses, including Barah, Kuldebata, Sime Bhume, Mandali etc; by offering hen, sheep and goat as sacrifice. Their conventional occupatin is mining and they specialize in mine exploration an mining. Their occupation these days is agriculture and animal husbandry. Chhantyal women are skilled in weaving woolen carpets , woolen blanket, Hadaula, Ghoom, clothes of Bhangro, Docha. The status of women in chhantyal society equals that of men and they are seen their own independent business, but they are not given share in inherited property.

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