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Tamu Villages Barpak, A GURUNG VILLAGE Introduction: Barpak Village is situated upon the hill top at the north of Gorkha about 1900 meter high from sea level, approximately 45 Km away from Gorkha Bazaar in the mid western Nepal. There is gravelled road under construction from Abu Khaireney running on the bank of Darauti River to Baluwa which believed to reach Barpak this year finally after all the political hurdles. Barpak has nearly 1100 households and about 15 thousand populations mainly with Ghale ,Gurungs and small number of Kami, damai and sunar ( Dalit barga). Barpak is a very beautiful model village of Gorkha which has been loved and visited by so many people including famous celebrities time to time. History: Barpak is known as village of late VC Capt. Gage Ghale got the honour of receiving a Victoria Cross Medal for his heroics during the Second World War in Burma. He was also decorated with Nepal Tara by Late King of Nepal. There is a local mythology that there used to be a Ghale King who ruled Barpak and surroundings during early Twenty Two Twenty Four states. It used to be a main route of trade between Nepal and Tibet of that time. In the early days of 1400 to 1700 BC, Salt was traded with grains grown in fertile land of Nepal. During the unification campaign lead by Shah dynasty of Gorkha by king Drabya Shah invited Ghale King for a peace talk and was believed to be wiped out with trickery in Nimel on the sandy bank of Darauty River. Ghales where given enough wine in metal dish whereas Shah’s knights where served wine on hand made Plate called Tapari (Hand woven craft with leaves). After this binged drinking obviously Ghale King led force got drunk and drunken brawl broke out. Shah knights had already hidden swards under sand long before the party started and slaughtered everyone with their hidden weapons. This mass murder wiped Ghale Tribes and their Kingdom but only a handful of them survived who were still in their mother’s tummy or who simply fled and disguised themselves from the rulers, therefore even today; Dakey clan of Ghale tribe never drink water at Nimel believing it was flooded with blood of their own once open a time. Tourism and Its Possibilities: Barpak has its unique historic significance despite its isolation from mainstream politics and bustling cities. Its breadth taking natural beauty has melted so many hearts and drawn so many people from around the world. It has been visited by German Chancellor Dr Roman Herzog in early 97. Science Teacher from London; Mr.Mickey Gorden is one of the admirer of Barpak; who has been visiting Barpak year after year since 23 years and has helped the village school significantly. Barpak has even attracted state Television which telecasted documentary about Barpak recently. The unique sloppy shape of the village with clustered stone tile-roofed houses, over looking Darauti Valley and Baudha Himal are believed to be the main attractions of Barpak. Everyone expresses desire to visit Barpak once they have seen pictures of it. Barpak is one of the stopover village routes of trekking around Manaslu. Barpak has attracted countless tourists with its genuine hospitality and unspoilt natural beauty. People can go to Narad Pokhari from Barpak which believed to be one of the pilgrimages of Hindus. It is believed that if you make a wish after taking bath at Narad Pokhari at Janai Purnima, your wish would come true. But there is a saying that you must go there once you have said you want to go; however, journey is believed to be very harsh through the challenging mountain path. Locals are happy to assist and accompany or guide to Narad Pokhari if you arranged with them in the village. There are so many possibilities of developing eco tourism in Barpak as it has so much to offer to the guests. The activities are endles, Its rich culture, warm and friendly people breadth taking scenes of Himalaya watching Barpak, overlooking valleys of Darauti river and Treks to Dharkey Danda, Narad Pokhari or just a chill out tour around the village and many interesting festivals and culture of Barpakies to obsorve. Development: Electricity: Barpak has its own Micro-Hydro Power station which supplies 24/7 electricity to all households of Barpak. This was setup by Mr Bir Bahadur Ghale a local entrepreneur back in 1996. He believes this would create more opportunities in the village to discourage young people migrating to the urban areas in search of job and better life. As Bir bahadur had dreamed, electricity has transformed the lives of Barpakies. They are able to see better at night allowing kids to do their homework under bright bulb and enjoying national television in the evening. There is even Furniture factory and Bakery which was never possible without electricity. Bir bahadur had also setup a rope way with the support of British Embassy Kathmandu and local investors from buttom of Darauti River to hilltop of village to carry goods which unfortunately has now stopped following fatal accident killing 4 people back in 2000. The base station had also been washed away by Ghattey Khola during monson. Road and mobility: Life is tough in Barpak where things are all carried by people with Doko and Namlo. They spend a whole day to collect a Doko full of fire wood which will only last few days. This has contributed on further deforestation and landslide problems in Barpak. Barpak is once again going to change its face forever once the gravelled road reaches to Barpak this year allowing vehicles to reach Barpak during Winter and warm season apart from monsoon. It might take few more years to get paved road and proper bridges which is the most to operate this motorway but it is believed that Barpak would be a business hub of the region when road connects Barpak with other cities creating more opportunities to Barpakies and to the local economy School, College and Hospital: There are 6 schools operating at the moment including one high school. Barpakies are hopeful that they will soon get funding for a Higher secondary School (10+2) from the central government soon. Barpak needs a bank and a mini hospital to meet the healthcare needs of the growing population. At the time of birth complication and serious accidents, medical surgical help is 2 days walk reality which poor people even cannot afford it and they are sadly forced to die without proper medical treatment; instead, they depend on traditional lama Jhakri to cure their illness. This is very sad reality of Barpak and Barpakies without any question. Upcoming road will buy some time to take ill person to the nearest hospital soon. Religion Language Cultural and Faith: Ghale Language is spoken practically in Barpak and surrounding which has different dialects eg KHORLA,UIYA, JAGAT, PHILIM, NYAK . Ghale language is spoken by almost 25 thousand populations around Barpak Uiya Pukri to Gumda area. Barpak is believed to be very old settlement historically in the sense that people still practice old religion. They seemed to have adapted Buddhism and Hinduism over the centuries and now there is small minority of Christianity. It has one monastery and one temple and one church. But in practice; Barpakies go to Dhami Dorong (cemetery) on Baishak Purnima (on Buddha’s Birthday) to worship their ancestors. They gather especially brothers of same clan believed to be extended family from same forefather this day to commemorate their ancestors and get blessing from them offering food and wine following ritual puja from kul Jhakri(chosen Seamen). Barpakies celebrate Maghey Sangranti, Push Pandra Dashain Tihar Chaitey Dashain besides Biashak Purnima. In fact they celebrate Dashain more gracefully then anywhere else when most of the families get together at their homes in this festival. The head of the village (Mukhiea) would keep Jamara and start Dashain on Ghatashthapana. Every body especially children put on their new cloths on in Dashain and every home sacrifice a sheep or goat to celebrate Dashain. Dashain is celebrated and observed at Koth Than which is at the top end of the village following puja and offerings of animals fruits and vegitables. Dashain is brought to an end with putting away fulpati at Dhami Dorong following Chelo competition but it is still unclear as how long Barpakies have been celebrating Dashain. Occupation: Most of Barpakies own a piece of land where they grow wheat, millet, soyabean, corn, barley and also rice which is planted only in the lower part of village called loong and Goje. Most family own a herds of sheep and animal and they cash in well at the time of Dashain and other festivals. Therefore majority of Barpakies live on traditional agriculture to feed their family whereas some men join British Gurkhas , Singapore Police and Indian Army and Nepal army to earn their living and handful of pension to support themselves when they grow old. Some travel to middle east, Malaysia and korea to make a living. This has brought remittance in to Barpak but also has left Barpak without enough people to continue farming. Closing: Barpak is one of the beautiful model village of mid western Nepal which has so much to offer. Its breath taking natural beauty and friendly people always welcomes guests with open arms. Hopefully Barpak will be one of the favourite tourist destinations of this region once it is connected with the road network allowing many people to travel easily to enjoy visiting Barpak. Barpakies are very hopeful to get not only good road but also better medical facilities, good education institute and more opportunities in the village to stop brain drain culture.
Mandhoj Ghale |
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