Abstract
Tharu and Bote are indigenous groups of Nepal. They have been surviving by using their traditional skills and indigenous knowledge. However, at present, they have gradually started shifting their survival skills for their economic and socio-cultural development. Homestay is one such initiation and women’s role in particular has been vital to this initiation which is usually unnoticed in the society. In connection to this, this paper incorporates the stories of women who uses their vocational skills to run a homestay in their community. For this, a qualitative approach was used and Amaltari homestay which is run by the Tharu and Bote of Nawalparasi was selected as the research site. Several rounds of interactions with owners of the homestay, group discussion with community people and observation were used to collect information. The study found that the women of Tharu and Bote community in Amaltari homestay village have been using their skills in the area of hospitality, cooking traditional foods and crafting bamboo and wooden goods that can be sold to the guests as souvenir. Furthermore, they have been able to keep financial records of their business as well. In this sense, the homestay has significantly contributed to the indigenous practice and has been supportive in uplifting the Tharu and Bote women socially and culturally by using the traditionally learned vocational skills.
Highlights
Tharu and Bote, indigenous groups of Nepal have been surviving by utilizing their traditional skills and indigenous knowledge (Bhattachan, 2012)
Women’s role along with their traditional skills has been vital in the promotion of homestay which is generally unnoticed in the society
Participants again shared that Amaltari Community Forest Group took the initiation to establish community homestay in 2012 which would help to promote rural tourism in this area and improve the livelihood of community people
Summary
Tharu and Bote, indigenous groups of Nepal have been surviving by utilizing their traditional skills and indigenous knowledge (Bhattachan, 2012). Recently the women in the community are performing additional role and still including their traditional ones. They run homestay in their community which has been an important means for transforming their economic and social condition. Women’s role along with their traditional skills has been vital in the promotion of homestay which is generally unnoticed in the society. In this context, this paper interprets the contribution of homestay in empowering the Tharu and Bote women in the Amaltari homestay village
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