Kami (caste)
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Nepal | 1,470,010 (5.04% of Nepal's population) (2021) |
| Languages | |
| Tiuni Rudiko (kami Vasa or Sunar Vasa), Nepali language (Khas kura) | |
| Religion | |
| Hinduism 96.35% (2011), Christianity (3.39%) (2011) | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Khas people, Darjee, Badi, Sarki, Gandarbha/Gaine | |
Kami is an Indo-Aryan Nepali-speaking group that primarily worked as metalsmiths. Later Nepal abolished its grading system. The tribal designation of Khas is given in some contexts. the Government of Nepal legally abolished the caste-system and criminalized any caste-based discrimination, including "untouchability" (the ostracism of a specific caste) - in the year 1963 A.D.
Caste-based discrimination and violence are a grim reality of Nepali society with numerous people losing their lives due to racially motivated mobs. Both the Government and many other INGO are working hand-in-hand in order to uproot the problem by targeting grassroot issues such as education, awareness and employment.
In the 21st century, the economic status of this group rapidly increased. They live in hilly or mountainous districts of Nepal and in the Indian areas of Assam, Sikkim and Darjeeling District.