Trading Patterns in the Nepal Himalayas: The Case of Walongchung Gola

Abstract

More than one decade ago Prof. Flirer-Hairnendorf published his 'Himalayan Traders', an inspiring ethnographic study based on materials collected over a long period. He deals with different high altitude dwelling communities engaged or having been engaged in trans-Himalayan trade. The term 'trading communities', however, is misleading inasmuch as it implies: First of all, groups making their living primarily by trade. As Fürer-Haimendorf rightly points out, these communities conduct(ed) a mixed economy of agriculture animal husbandry and trade, the latter source of income being only one among others. Secondly, more or less egalitarian, unstratified groups in which all householders have the same potential access to trade and tend to follow the same pattern of trade However, the patterns found among the different 'trading communities' are very complex. In this paper we will discuss the different trading patterns among the Walongchung Bothiyas - hitherto rather neglected by researchers - within the context of
Nepalese economic history.