29th International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples marked

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Aug. 10: Various indigenous communities of Nepal marked the 29th International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples with the slogan of ' Indigenous Youth as Agents of Change for Self-determination' by organising various programmes across the country on Wednesday.

People from various indigenous communities including Tamang, Newar, Gurung, Tharu, Rai, Limbu and Sherpa among others organised a cultural rally at Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu,  under the leadership of the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities.   The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is celebrated on August 9 every year.

Among the total population in the world, 6 per cent are indigenous peoples, according to a World Bank report. 

The General Assembly of the United Nations on  December 23, 1994,  advanced the concept of celebrating  August 9 as International Indigenous People's Day. 

Indigenous are the communities that have been living in any place for a  long time and have original identities, including arts and crafts, and have been cultivating the soil of that land for generations. 

After the process of migration started with the development of human civilisation, the density of immigrants gradually increased and their identity, existence, different qualities and customs began to decrease. 

From the polar regions of the Earth to the South Pacific coast, the identity and presence of indigenous peoples are decreasing.