Kumal people

Kumal (Nepali: कुमाल) is a caste or ethnic group in Nepal, traditionally associated with pottery.^[3] Their traditional profession is endangered due to competition from cheaper, more durable industrial pots.^[4] Fewer youths learn the skills.^[3] They are found to inhabit in the Terai, inner Terai and Mid-hills close to the riverbanks where bioresearches are rich to continue to their traditional occupation.^[5] Their traditional dance, the Pangdure, is considered endangered.^[6]

Kumal people

A Kumal man and woman in their ethnic wear
Total population
121,000 (2011 Census)[1]
Regions with significant populations
Nepal
Languages
Kumal, Nepali
Religion
Hinduism 98%, Christianity 1.4%[2]
Related ethnic groups
Tharu, Bote, Danuwar, Darai, Majhi

Language

Kumal people speak the Kumal language.^[7] According to the population census of 2011, 121,000 Kumals live in Nepal; there are 12,000 native speakers of the Kumal language.^[1].Less number of people speak kumal language (own language).

Geographic distribution

The 2011 Nepal census classifies the Kumal people within the broader social group of Mountain/Hill Janajati.^[8] At the time of the Nepal census of 2011, 121,196 people (0.5% of the population of Nepal) were Kumal. The frequency of Kumal people by province was as follows:

• Gandaki Province (1.5%)
• Lumbini Province (1.0%)
• Bagmati Province (0.3%)
• Madhesh Province (0.2%)
• Koshi Province (0.2%)
• Karnali Province (0.1%)
• Sudurpashchim Province (0.1%)

The frequency of Kumal people was higher than national average (0.5%) in the following districts:^[9]

• Nawalpur (3.9%)
• Arghakhanchi (3.4%)
• Gulmi (3.1%)
• Gorkha (3.0%)
• Palpa (2.6%)
• Tanahun (2.5%)
• Chitwan (1.6%)
• Dang (1.5%)
• Pyuthan (1.5%)
• Dhading (1.4%)
• Lamjung (1.0%)
• Nuwakot (0.9%)
• Parasi (0.7%)
• Baglung (0.6%)
• Parsa (0.6%)
• Sankhuwasabha (0.6%)