SINHAS Vol 29 No 1 Kanako Nakagawa

“Improve the Work of Our Ja-Ti to Uplift the Community”: The Reorganization of a Traditional Caste-Based Practice

Abstract
This article examines a particular case of change in traditional caste-based commercial and ritualistic practices in the face of modernization. Focusing on the Khadgis, who have historically been engaged in buffalo slaughter and animal sacrifice as part of their caste-based roles in Newar society, I show how they have adapted to the industrialization of the meat market as well as to government-led public health control measures. In the most recent past, public health management has been strengthened in Nepal. The traditional processing of buffalo meat by the Khadgis is mainly done by hand in simple slaughterhouses that are open-air or have tin roofs. I discuss how the Khadgis have reorganized their practice of animal slaughter by both re-assembling their traditional practices and the modern discourses surrounding caste. Khadgis established a company to produce “healthy and hygienic meat” in partnership with the government. They also continue justifying their role in blood sacrifice for goddess Taleju, and claim that only they can legitimately perform this role. Thus, they have fought to preserve their identity within both the ritual and commercial worlds.

Keywords: Khadgis, animal slaughter, sacrifice, modernizing caste identity