Rajkarnikar (

Devanagari Devanagari ( ; , , Sanskrit pronunciation: ), also called Nagari (),Kathleen Kuiper (2010), The Culture of India, New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, , page 83 is a left-to-right abugida (a type of segmental writing system), based on the ...

: राजकर्णिकार) are a newar clan of confectioners and sweet makers situated in Kathmandu Valley, in

Nepal Nepal (; ne, :ne:नेपाल, नेपाल ), formerly the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal ( ne, सङ्घीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्र नेपाल ), is a landlocked country in S ...

Etymology and origin

The name "Rajkarnikar" means state official. Rajkarnikars in Nepal are found mostly in Yen or Kathmandu Valley, over the regions of

Kathmandu , pushpin_map = Nepal Bagmati Province#Nepal#Asia , coordinates = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = , subdivision_type1 = Province , subdivision_name1 = Bagmati Prov ...

Bhaktapur , motto = ne, पुर्खले सिर्जेको सम्पत्ती, हाम्रो कला र संस्कृति , lit=Creation of our ancestors, our heritage and culture , image_map ...

and Lalitpur (Patan in Nepali; Yela in Newari ); In 2011, their population was 83,000. Around 60,000 still reside in rural areas, and around 20,000 in urban areas. They speak

Nepalbhasa Newar (), or Newari and known officially in Nepal as Nepal Bhasa, is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken by the Newar people, the indigenous inhabitants of Nepal Mandala, which consists of the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding regions in Nepa ...

. The ethologist and anthropologist,

Brian Houghton Hodgson Brian Houghton Hodgson (1 February 1800 or more likely 1801 – 23 May 1894) was a pioneer naturalist and ethnologist working in India and Nepal where he was a British Resident. He described numerous species of birds and mammals from the Hima ...

, during his posting in Nepal, Hodgson became proficient in Nepali and Newari. They are part of Newar clans and descendants of Kirat People.

Traditional Occupation

Halwais are sweet makers by tradition. They take on many responsibilities that are considered religiously important. Traditional sweets prepared include Jeri, Swari, and Haluwa. Rajkarnikars are Newar and have their own caste system. The caste-system for Newars are based on profession. They are in Kathmandu Valley also originates from their tradition and profession of confectionery. The Halwai people group, also known as the Palma Halwais or Rajkarnikar, are part of a Newar clan and were the original inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. The traditional occupation of the Halwai people is making candy and sweets, known as "mithai."

Culture

Traditionally, in the caste system, they follow Vajrayan Buddhism. Their culture, traditions, religions, beliefs and rooted to Asia, Tibe

and

. The worshiping of Kumari, Taleju Bhawani, Ganesh, Harati Ajima, Aakash bhairav, and Bhin Dyo is one of major worshipping for Halwai people. 'They also believe in Akash Bhairav, worshipping ancestors and believe in continued existence of life. They celebrate festivals, such as Yenya Puni, Yomari Punhi, Janbahadyah Salegu, Pahanchaare and perform pilgrimage during the month of Gunlaa.

Social status

{{Unreferenced-section, date=May 2021 Rajkarnikar is a highly respected caste. Their status as providers of food for their community also makes them responsible for making sweets and cakes. These are made for all festivals and celebrations, such as marriage or childbirth.

References

Newar caste system

Etymology and origin

Traditional Occupation

Culture

Social status

See also

References