Shauka tribe
The Shauka Tribe living in the Johar Valley of Gori Ganga river in Munsyari, tehsil of the Pithoragarh District are also known as Johari Thakur. They are part of the larger Uttarakhand ethno-linguistic group, and one of the few of Uttarakhand tribes that shows a rich cultural heritage and adhere to the upper Caste system. Shaukas are the followers of Hinduism, and have Hindu Brahmins to conduct religious ceremonies. They worship various gods and goddesses like Goddess Nanda Devi in Martoli and Milam.
The legend of Rajuli - Malusahi relates to Rajuli, daughter of Sunpati Shauka (A local lord/king of Johar) and Malusahi, scion of one of the branches of Katyuri Kings based out of Bairath near Dwarahat. The famous explorers Nain Singh Rawat (C.I.E.) and Kisan Singh Rawat belongs to the Johar valley. Pangtey,Jangpangi,Sumtyal,Laspal,Dharmshaktu,Martolia,Nitwal, Brijwal,Burfal , Tolia, Mapwal, Marwal... are some surnames belong to shauka community.
See also
Further reading
- "Zu einer Zeit, als Bäume und Gräser noch sprechen konnten...". Sozioökonomie, Kosmologie und Mythologie der Rang-Shauka im zentralindischen Himalaya (Taschenbuch) von Sabine Leder
- History of the Origin of Shauka Tribe of Middle Himalayas, by Negi Girdhar Singh, Dept. of History, Kumaon University, Nainital. 2006. Lucknow Journal of Social Sciences. 2006, Volume 3, Issue 2. ISSN 0974-8148.