Page 84 - Social Studies 5

Respecting elders and loving juniors, putting ‘Tika’ before a long journey,
visiting temples from time to time, etc. are amongst many social systems
that are part of our culture. But, some of them are superstitious namely
accusing people of being a Boksi or visiting witch doctor for illness.

Most of them are still important to run our socio-cultural and economic
life. Such social systems were even found as organized form in the past.
Dhikuti, Bheja and Ghuthi are even considered as the foundation for
current co-operative organizations.

Such social systems were useful for socio cultural performances, mutual
help and co operations. They were also important during emergency or
crisis management. The social systems such as ‘Parma’ or ‘Paincho’ are
few examples of it. Such social systems encourage them to help and co
operates each other as well as unites people together for peaceful living.

(Seema and Suman are talking about some social rules and systems of

different community while returning home from school)
Seema : Suman, what are you holding in your hand?

Suman : It is a book of our school library. It is telling us about many
good social systems about different community. Some of
them are still in practice.

Seema : Interesting. Could you please tell me about them?

Suman : Sure. Guthi, Bheja, Paincho, Parma, Badaghar are few of
such social system, operated under an organization .
Seema : Oh! My father told me about Guthi. We are also the member
of a Guthi. It is like a social trust and works as an organization.
It performs religious and socio economic functions. It is still
practising mostly in the Newar community of Kathmandu Valley.

Suman : Yes, you are right. Likewise, Bheja is a systematic organization,
popular mostly in the Magar community of Nepal. It helps
in organizing religious performances, agricultural works and
social services such as building temples, Gumbas , orphanage
etc. Bheja is usually led by an eldest member of the group,
called as Mukhiya. Do you have any idea about Badaghar?

80 Megha's Integrated Social Studies - 5