suman ingnam architecture: ARCHITECTURE OF ATHPAHARIYA HOUSES

Thursday, May 8, 2014

ARCHITECTURE OF ATHPAHARIYA HOUSES

The word Athpahariya is not derived from the native language spoken by the people of

this ethnic group; rather its derivation is related to the Nepali compound word Athpahar,

involving Ath (which means eight in number‘) and Pahar (meaning the time period of 3

hours‘). Since eight Pahars equal 24 hours, Athpahariya means the person who

dedicates himself in working for twenty four hours‘. In the past, particularly the kings‘

body guards were the persons having such a duty to fulfill; therefore it is said that people

belonging to particular section of Rai community who were deputed as the kings‘ body

guards were entitled Athpahariya. But there are debates regarding who were the kings

these people had served as Athpahariya. In one document published by the government, it

is said that after taking control over the far-eastern Kirant kingdom, king Prithvi Narayan

Shah had deputed the people of this ethnic group in the post of Security Guard, for the

protection of Dhankuta Khalangakot; so they were called the Athpahariya. In another folk

etymological explanation, it has been said that the Athpahariya folk group was developed

from the eight families of eight surnames (in Nepali Ath Pariwar) of the Rai community

who used to live in and around Dhankuta region from time immemorial.

Pange is dwellings of Athpahariya Rai people used for day to day life. The house in uniquely designed in square plan and four way slope placed triangularly which is generally not found in other ethnic groups. Athpahariya houses are built in two storied and sometimes single also. The house is enclosed by bushes, flowers and sheds used for domestic animals. The houses are entered through part of terrace by steps or through alley created by slope of terrace and house or shed.

Space organization

The houses are horizontally split into three sections:

Outer sikuwa (mokha or verandah) Sikuwa exist between the agaan open courtyard and sanghar. Sikuwa serve as the sitting, meeting and chatting space. The space is like outdoor living room. The foreign people met here and not allowed inside from here.

Sanghar (part inside the door): Sanghar is indoor space except pangghar. This space consists of wooden staircase and open room. The room is used to keep agricultural stuffs, water pots etc. Sanghar and pangbhitra are open and divided by structural timber posts or half wall.

Pangbhitra (living room) Living room also include kitchen with three stoned hearth (triangularly placed). It is believed that the Rai ancestor believed that the Rai ancestor inhabits this hearth and so this place is considered to be their holy of holies. Should any outsider enter and touch this stones, then the Rai people believe that calamity will occur and effect the member of that particular houses. This is seen that non-Rai people are not permitted, under any circumstances to enter this place and the mere thought of touching the stone is taboo. (Gautam & Magar, 1994)

The interior wall is painted by red mud, floor coated by cow dunk. There are bi partition walls but could be half wall. The activities of cooking, sleeping and keeping things demark the area. Other additional spaces around the houses are large open space (agaan) and animal shed.

Agaan are the large open space in front of house. Generally the space is enclosed by house and animal shed at two sides of terrace and remaining two sides are part of terrace. The space is used for day to day life for family purpose. The space serves for activities such as weaving clothes, making of handicrafts item, playing for children etc. As there are three main festivals celebrated for 27 days in total, this same agaan serve a space for dancing, eating, singing and performing other rituals.