In the woodlands of Nepal live the nation’s last surviving nomads – the Raute. They call themselves ban ko raja, the kings of the forest. While modernisation threatens their ancient way of life, the Raute continue to preserve their traditions. Offering a glimpse into their rare culture is Nepalese documentary photographer Ram Paudel.
In September 2015, Paudel lived among the Raute, learning about and capturing their customs. “This is a very small, close community of about 150 individuals,” he says. The indigenous group speak a Tibeto-Burman language which has never been written down, instead continuing an oral tradition where knowledge is imparted through storytelling and rituals. They hunt and gather their food, relocating every two months and inhabiting distant forests and riverbanks. The Raute don’t have any use for money. Rather, they barter their delicate woodwork and crafts with nearby villages in return for the goods they need to survive.
From his time with the group, Paudel curated the photographic series The Raute. His striking images reflect not only their cuisine, travels, and shelter, but also highlights their harmonious relationship with nature and the community. “For them, there is immaterial value in supporting each other,” Paudel says. “Brotherhood and belonging is very important.”
The Raute have been offered opportunities from governing bodies to learn agricultural skills, send their children to schools, or acquire land. But they’ve declined each time. “It is so fascinating to see how proud they are of being a nomadic tribe,” Paudel says. Their choice to preserve their way of life is an act of resilience. Carrying their culture wherever they go, these nomads continue to reign in the forests of Nepal.
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