In the middle hills of Nepal, auspicious occasions such as weddings and important holidays are often marked by the music of Damai bands. Playing in the Panchai Baja, Naumati Baja, and more recently, the Band Baja ensembles has been the traditional occupation of the Damai caste since around the 14th century C.E. In addition, Damai of far western Nepal have developed a tradition of ballad performance called the hudke dance, featuring a singer who drums and dances while performing epic songs. While the music of the Damai is enjoyed--and, in some instances, believed to be necessary for certain occasions--by members of all social groups, their caste status has historically been that of untouchables. Changes in Nepal's state and social structure, along with the rise of mass media, continue to impact the lives of Damai musicians.

This section concentrates on the major Damai ensembles mentioned above, with attention to their sonic and social dimensions. The history page provides some information about what is known of these ensembles' uses in the past centuries, and the current status page brings this history up to date, rooted in the experiences of Damai musicians in villages and in Kathmandu. The instruments section contains details about the instruments specific to Damai ensembles. The Profiles page goes into further detail about the lives of several musicians, and the Beats and Melodies section contains streaming audio examples of Damai musicians' performances.

Please note that to listen to the audio examples, you will need the free RealPlayer, available here.