Leaving traditional caste-based occupation, youths from the Badi community have started manufacturing madal, one of the widely used hand drums in Nepal.
Leaving traditional caste-based occupation, youths from the Badi community have started manufacturing madal, one of the widely used hand drums in Nepal.
Badi is one of the most oppressed caste groups in Nepal’s Hindu social hierarchy.
Ever since these youths from Simrutu-2 started madal production using modern day tools, their economic status has improved. According to Buddhi Man Badi, one of the promoters of Tribeni Madal Udhyog, seven youths are involved in the job. They make five madals a day. The product sells for over Rs 1,500 a piece. Before getting into such an organised venture, people from the Badi community individually produced madals and exchanged them with essential commodities.
Their products are now is available in places like Dang, Nepaljung and Kathmandu. The demand in the local market too is increasing. Buddhi Man said they purchase raw materials like leather and wood, while crafting is done at their factory. “The factory is flourishing since the demand is rising, within and outside the district,” he said.
Rupantaran Nepal and Rukumeli Samaj Development Centre are supporting the factory financially.
“In the past, it was difficult to eke out a living from traditional profession,” said one Gopal Badi. “Now we are earning up to Rs 20,000 a month.”
Gopal added the factory plans to increase investment gradually and diversify into production of products like Sulpa and clay apparatus. “We have also started to make some savings,” he said.
Badi youths say the industry could flourish if the government lent support.
Rupantaran Nepal’s coordinator Govinda Maharjan said the association has been helping in promoting entrepreneurship among the Badi people.
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