Day 15 - The Yakha Nationality 

Located in the Tehrathum, Sankhuwasawa, and Dhankuta districts of Nepal

IThe Yakha are a tribal group located in eastern Nepal. They are traditionally Animists, but have adopted many of the Hindu customs and beliefs. They celebrate and observe all of the important Hindu festivals such as Durga puja and Diwali as well as performing ancestral worship. Their pujhari or priests play an important role in their communities and are necessary for the performing of marriage and death rites as well as the puja or worship ceremonies at festival times. 

The primary occupation of the Yakha is that of farming. Most Yakhas are able to own their own land and to raise a few animals. On these farms, they raise their staple foods, such as maize, rice, and potatoes. They typically live in double storied houses made of timber, mud, and stone and covered with a thatched roof. 

Because of the sirmilarity in culture, many Yakha people intermarry with the Limbus and Rais. In most marriages, the boy chooses the girl he wishes to marry, and if her parents agree to it, then the wedding can take place, regardless of what the girl says. As a result of the common intermixing with other Nepali groups, most Yakha men and women can speak basic Nepali as their second language. 

Many Yakhas have heard the name of Jesus, and received Christian literature, but have not yet understood the message of the cross and Christianity. There are around 750 believers scattered throughout Yakha villages, which is about 3% of the total Yakha population. 

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