Nepal celebrates Indigenous Peoples' Day with calls for rights and inclusion

Nepal marked the 32nd International Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Sunday, August 9, with a nationwide series of events celebrating indigenous identities, culture, and unity. The main official program convened at Khullamanch, following a vibrant rally that originated from Bhrikutimandap.

The procession featured a diverse array of indigenous groups from Nepal, including Tamang, Kirat, Jirel, Magar, Newa, and Tharu communities. Participants showcased their distinct traditional attire, played traditional instruments, waved their respective flags, and carried banners from their institutions. The march notably included queer indigenous individuals and indigenous people with disabilities, presenting a powerful message of intersectional identities.

Indigenous peoples constitute over 35 percent of Nepal’s population and 6.2 percent globally. The UN General Assembly declared August 9 as International Indigenous Peoples Day in 1994 to commemorate the first session of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations. Since then, communities worldwide use the day to celebrate their heritage and advocate for indigenous rights and inclusive political dialogue.

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Inclusiveness should not remain limited to slogans but should be visible as equal access to the state’s policies, plans, resources and means.

This year's theme, 'Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and well-being,' was inaugurated by Vice President Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav. He emphasized that inclusiveness must translate into tangible equal access to state policies, plans, resources, and means, moving beyond mere slogans. Yadav also lauded the vital role of indigenous traditional knowledge and practices in promoting environmental balance and combating climate change, calling it a global model.

During the event, organized by the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN), Vice President Yadav encouraged the younger generation to embrace education, science, and technology while preserving their languages, cultures, and identities. The celebration, which opened with a welcome dance from the Sherpa community, also saw the presence of Kathmandu's Acting Mayor Sunita Dangol, Minister of Energy Biraj Bhakta Shrestha, and several Members of Parliament. The national slogan this year focused on protecting already-gained rights, opposing the government's attempt to dissolve the National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN).

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This knowledge has today become exemplary for the whole world in addressing climate change and environmental balance.