Katuwal is an old technique of communication. If there is any new news or information to be given in the village, it is customary for the Katuwal to shout the information loudly from a place where everyone can hear. This is also called honking.
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The crowded Taksera village is often awakened by the sound of the Bharase Kami. When the Bharase starts shouting with a new message, everyone's attention is drawn to it. Even in the era of mobile phones and internet, everyone is interested in what new news has come to the village. The Bharase starts shouting loudly, looking for a place where everyone can hear it. Not only that, they also go around the village giving information.
It is the responsibility of Bharase to inform the villagers if there is any new news. He is the first person to know any new information in the village. Only through him do others know. Bharase, 55, of Taksera, Puthauttarganga Rural Municipality-10, is a Katuwal of the village. Even in the modern era of rapid development of information technology, his information is considered authoritative in Taksera village.
Local work is done only on the basis of Bharase's information. If someone gets married, dies, or has to hold a gathering, program or social work in the village, the work is done on the basis of his information. Bharase has been a Katuwal for three generations. His grandfather Haste and father Kamle worked as Katuwals. Bharase also learned the work of Katuwal from the age of 13, following his father.
Katuwal is an old technique of communication. If there is any new news or information to be given in the village, the katuwal has a custom of shouting it out loud from a place where everyone can hear it. This is also called calling out. In most villages, it was previously the custom to receive information through the katuwal. With the development of information technology, this custom disappeared, but in Taksera village, it still continues.
For doing the katuwal work, one had to go to every house and collect two maanas of grain for six months. Bharase said that he started receiving cash after 2067. He started receiving cash at the rate of 50 rupees per house for six months. Then it gradually increased to 75, 100, 150, and now he is receiving 160 rupees.
There are 319 houses in Taksera. ‘Now the toles collect it. It has become easier. Earlier, one had to go to every house themselves,’ he said, ‘Some people don’t like to give it.’ It is not easy to save this tradition. He plans to save this profession as long as he lives. He understands that it will be difficult to continue it after that.
He has four sons and a daughter. Even his grandchildren are now there, but none of them want to do this profession. ‘I will do it until I die, then it will probably disappear,’ he expressed concern about the existence of the Katuwal profession, ‘None of my sons want to do this work. Other villagers are also not ready.’
Earlier, there was a custom among the Kami community to draw lots and choose the one who falls for the Katuwal. Gradually, the attraction towards this profession decreased. No one was ready to become a Katuwal. After 2050, Bharase alone took over the responsibility of the Katuwal of Taksera. After the Maoist uprising of 1 Falgun 2052, this profession was in crisis. Magar-dominated villages like Taksera were targeted by the Maoist rebels and the government. Due to security reasons, it was no longer possible to travel around the village by hawking during the war. After that, Bharase left the village and went to Malaysia. After 6 years of foreign employment, he returned to the village. After returning to the village, the villagers requested him to take up the profession of hawking again. After the peace process, he had to wait until 2069 BS to resume this profession. Since then, he has been continuously working to revive the village by hawking.
Bharat Budha, ward chairman of Puthauttarganga Rural Municipality-10, said that the hawking practice was maintained in the ward to preserve the tradition. He informed that even though the hawking practice was disappearing in most villages due to the development of modern technology, it was continued in Taksera to preserve its history and culture. "There was a tradition of choosing a Katuwal for a year on Asar 1, the important festival of the Magar community, during which the land was celebrated," he said. "We are still keeping the Katuwal to preserve that tradition. Whenever there is any work in the village, the Katuwal never fails to come." He said that the villagers are also getting used to relying on the information of the Katuwal. He said that even when the Katuwal refuses to stay, the tradition is being maintained by increasing the remuneration according to the time.
