Hidden Potential of Humla

By MADAN PHADERA, Class of 2009

Born to embrace peace, feed for nature, grow up to face the challenges and struggles of nation are the main mantras of Humli people. Humla lies in the mountain region of North-Western Nepal and is, area wise, the second largest district in the country. Humla is rich in biodiversity and has a pristine, still unadulterated and a well balanced ecology. It has its own unique styles of culture, tradition, and lifestyle. Traveling across Humla therefore always involves a great deal of learning.

Among the unique traditions is Deuda, the famous folk song style that is sung in the greater Karnali region in general and people of Humla, Jumla and Mugu in particular. The song is generally performed by groups dancing in a circle with rhythmic foot movements. Beyond the entertainment, Deuda is also performed to share different emotions like sorrow, happiness, or to mark special occasions and festivals.  With a complex set of rhythms and rhyming schemes, Deuda is considered to be a very difficult style to perform.

There are also interesting cultural practices in Humla one of which is the practice of Dhami – people believed to have been possessed by a godly spirit. When someone is possessed he is required to follow a certain set of rules like refraining from eating meat, wearing white clothes, and avoiding interaction with people from different castes so that he can please the spirit. On the occasion of Vijaya Dashami, groups of Dhamis perform their special dances shaking their bodies violently and jumping in the air amid fast and loud drumbeats. It is believed that the power of Dhamis can be transferred to one of their offspring during that night.  Also known as Puni, Vijaya Dashami sees various Deuda performances on the same night from different groups of people.

People in Humla use animal husbandry and depend on other natural resources for living. Clothes are generally weaved from the furs of yak, sheep, and mountain goats. Animals like sheep, mules and donkeys are also used as popular means of transporting goods. Humla also has a big potential in horticulture as different varieties of apples are found throughout the district. But because of lack of big markets, a lot of apples are used locally to brew alcoholic drinks and sold for cheap prices. Most of the commodities of daily use in Humla are brought from Tibet. The nearest border town of Tibet is at least two days walk from the headquarter Simikot.  Because it is expensive to trade with other parts of Nepal, people prefer to trade with Tibet.

If government could improve the transportation and make it less expensive, Humla has great potential to improve economically. If infrastructures in Humla are improved and its resources properly utilized, Humla could come out of poverty and even contribute to the growth of our country.

For more information and pictures, please visit the official website of the District Development Committee of Humla: http://www.ddchumla.gov.np

Note: Madan Phadera is an Ullens alum who joined the school in 8th grade and was a member of Ullens's first SLC graduating class of 2009.  He comes from Srinagar, Humla.