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 |
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 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. Kumhali language is close to Tharu languages.[1]
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:
The frequency of Kumal people was higher than national average (0.5%) in the following districts:[9]