Ram Kumar Khatik, family matriarch

We had planned to visit the Pasi sub-caste, who are known for keeping pigs. Instead we make a detour and stop off to see a family of Khatik, a sub-caste that is closely linked to Pasi and also raises pigs.

Legend has it (rather charmingly) that the first Pasi, named Pashuram, saw a group of men killing sacred cows and brought the cows back to life with his perspiration (pasina in Hindi).  According to the 2021 housing census there were 9,152 Khatik in Nepal. The number of Pasi said to be around 4,600.

We meet Ram Kumar Khatik (photo), the matriarch of this family of 13. They live in a single house – seven daughters, one son, a daughter in law and 2 grandchildren. Ram’s husband is away at the market looking for pig food.

Ram Kumar Khatik has a strong personality and knows her pigs. The family currently owns sixteen and sells each pig for 20,000 rupees when they mature. The biggest challenge is finding food for the pigs (which should get fed three times a day). Pig food can cost up to 45,000 rupees a year and Ram Kumar’s husband constantly scours restaurants in Nepalgunj for food scraps. One pig died recently from disease, but this was very much an exception.

Like all of the families we visit, nothing comes easily for Ram Kumar Khatik and her family. They are living on top of each other and Ram Kumar says their lives would be much easier if they owned land. But they are certainly better off than most of the other groups we have met and relatively self-sufficient. They also have a real skill – rearing pigs – that is in demand and brings in good money. Ram Kumar’s son-in-law also earns money as a mason.

With the exception of education, which we have not inquired about, I do not see any role here for BASE. But there is still much more to learn about this group.

Next: The Ram Leather Artists