60 Abode of Gods
have made outstanding contribution for Kumaon.
In addition to above classes of people there are numerous
other nomadic tribes like Dok Pa, Gaddi, Khadewal, Ban
Rawat, Dotiyal and Tharus who wander place to place in pursuit
of livelihood forming an inseparable part of Kumaon scene.
Self-perpetuating society
The Kumaon way of life is most simple and self-perpetuating
being in essence the very synthesis of ancient culture and modern
civilisation. In giving this dynamic character to the culture of
Kumaon, Almora has always played significant role like Lucknow
has done in Oudh and Lahore in pre-partition Punjab. Almora
being the seat of power, people flocked here from different parts
of India and carried home Jatest cultural trends and advancement
in civilisation. Kumaonese till recently followed the rigours of
caste assiduously but now in pursuance to the general trend a
liberal attitude has come to take place. However, these rules
were not strictly applicable to Bhotiyas since they had their own
rules of propriety-impropriety, marriage and other ceremonies
mainly derived from Indo-Tibetan cultures. The Bhotiyas of
Darma Valley have distinct customs for marriage. They hold a
function called 'Rang Bhang' in which all the villagers gather
round the village fire, where a barrel containing chakti is placed
out of which men and women drink freely. They merrily go round
the fire singing and dancing. It is during this process that pros-
pective pairs enter into a pleasure sequence and ultimately to
disappear for making love, which is never looked down. Later
bridegroom's party contacts bride's family and asks for the hand
of the girl. Another feature of Bhotiya life is sharing of one wife
by two or more brothers or marrying the widowed sister-in-law
by one of the brothers of the deceased. Their society does not
entertain any prejudices of sex and drinking is never looked
down. But with the spread of education and increasing commu-
niqatioa with the outer world the old taboos are fast breaking.
Women a^d folklore
Kumaoni women are fair compexioned, well built, pink che-
eked and exceedingly good looking. They attire themselves in a
petticoat like frock over which they wear full sleeved blouse and