Ethnic Groups

Bhotiya People

The Bhotiya / Bhotia are a Tibetan ethnic group who migrated into Nepal from Sikkim during the 15th century. They have no one language, but often speak dialects with about 50% overlap to Tibetan. In terms of culture of religion, they practice many of the same traditions and rituals as other Tibetan Buddhists and follow the different lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. Bhotiya are known for their practice of polyandry, the marriage of multiple men to one woman. While this practice is rare today, Bhotia would traditionally marry several brothers to one woman in order to keep land holdings intact within the family. The name “Bhote” actually derives from a word that means “from Tibet.”