Rautes mourn the loss of Chief Surya Narayan Shahi
He died on Monday night at around 9:30 PM, according to sources close to the community.
KATHMANDU: Surya Narayan Shahi, the chief of the endangered nomadic Raute community, has passed away.
He died on Monday night at around 9:30 PM, according to sources close to the community.
His death was reportedly caused by excessive alcohol consumption, confirmed Lal Bahadur Khatri, a community teacher associated with SOSEC Nepal, an organization working closely with the Rautes.
Shahi had assumed the role of Raute chief in Jestha 2072 B.S. and was a prominent leader among Nepal’s last remaining nomadic forest dwellers.
At the time of his death, he was leading one of the two Raute groups currently living in separate locations. His group had been residing in Sotkhola of Barahatal Rural Municipality–8 in Surkhet District.
The other group of Rautes is currently based in Karekhola, Birendranagar–13, under the leadership of two other chiefs.
Surya Narayan Shahi’s death marks a significant moment for the Raute community, raising concerns over leadership and the future of their traditional way of life.
