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Description:
The article attempts to present information about the Kusunda who are called Ban Raja. The literal meaning of Ban Raja is 'King of the Forest'. The author writes that it is ironic that this tribe is becoming known just as it is disappearing as a cultural and physical entity. The article is based on information gathered from a few Ban Raja whom he had met, so it is difficult to speak of a "Kusunda culture". An article written by Brian Hodgson over a hundred years ago first mentions the Ban Raja in Nepal. The article also traces studies and articles on the Kusunda. Many interesting stories concerning the origin of the Ban Raja exist and a few are contained in this article. There is also an explanation of kinship terminology of the Kusunda and the spells of shamans. For example, it is believed that they know a 'love spell'. The article includes 7 leaves of plates. (Rajeev Ranjan Singh 2007-01-10)
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