The Raute, a nomadic tribe living in the forests of Karnali province, are known for their traditional way of life and resistance to education. For generations, the tribe has maintained a strict stance against formal schooling. However, in a surprising turn, some of the tribe’s children are now learning the alphabet, doing so in secret, away from the watchful eyes of their leaders.
The Rautes, who rely on forest resources for their survival, follow a unique lifestyle that involves frequent movement. They believe in not settling in one place for too long to preserve the natural resources of the forests. Recently, the community relocated from Barakhattar in Surkhet to Giri Ghat in Barakhattar Township 2. With a population of 137, the Rautes have not prioritized health, hygiene, or education.
Despite this, a group of Raute children and young adults has begun learning to read and write, thanks to the efforts of the Social Services Center (SOSEC), a non-governmental organization that has been working with the community. Lal Bahadur Khatri, a teacher appointed by SOSEC, revealed that 64 children under the age of 18 and four young people under 25 are now receiving basic education.
“Many of them can recognize letters and even write their own names,” said Khatri, emphasizing the growing interest in education within the community. SOSEC, which focuses on health and hygiene education, arranged for Khatri and another teacher to live near the Raute people. Their goal is not only to teach reading and writing but also to improve the community’s overall living conditions and health habits.
The teachers use videos to teach the children the Nepali alphabet, as well as the names of the days of the week and the months of the year. Khatri shared, “The children are enthusiastic about learning. We teach them what they are most interested in, such as writing their names.”
However, the path to education is not without challenges. The Raute’s tribal leaders, known as Mukhiya, oppose the teaching of reading and writing. According to Khatri, the teachers have had to be creative in their approach, keeping their lessons hidden from the elders. “We take the children to a distant location and use mobile phones to distract them while they learn. They rarely stay for long periods, sometimes only five to ten minutes at a time,” he said.
SOSEC has been working with the Raute people since 2018 to improve their quality of life, including offering health education. It wasn’t until recently, however, that the teachers began working with the children. Khatri explained that the children were initially drawn to educational videos, which sparked their curiosity and desire to learn. “The children are eager to read and write but are afraid of their parents and the Mukhiya finding out,” he added.
The Raute population is currently in decline, with high mortality rates, particularly among infants. The Karnali Provincial Planning Commission reports that nearly half of all infants born in the Raute community do not survive past their first year. Health experts attribute these deaths to poor nutrition, inadequate care, and alcohol abuse.
In response, government officials and NGOs have been working to raise awareness about health and hygiene. “We teach them basic practices, like washing hands before eating and seeking medical attention when necessary. Our focus is on the younger generation,” Khatri explained.
While some leaders like Mukhiya Dil Bahadur Shahi and Bir Bahadur Shahi oppose education, fearing it will disrupt the tribe’s traditions, others are more open to change. Mukhiya Surya Narayan Shahi expressed a more progressive view, saying, “Gradually, our children will learn to read and write.”
For now, some Raute children are determined to learn, despite the opposition. “Our parents scold us because they know we are learning. But when we see other children going to school, we also want to read and write. We want to at least be able to write our names, even if we have to hide it from our parents,” said a 13-year-old child eager to learn.
This shift in the Raute community reflects a growing desire for education, even in the face of traditional opposition. Whether the tribe’s leaders will eventually embrace education remains uncertain, but for now, the children’s quiet rebellion may mark the beginning of change.
