The Raute people of Nepal describe themselves as Ban Ko Raja, which means “Kings of the Forest.” This self-isolating nomadic tribe of mountain hunter-gatherers live in a closed society comprised of less than 125 individuals. The Raute, whose culture, traditions, and ideals are slowly disappearing, are the last nomadic peoples of Nepal and one of the last nomadic mountain tribes on earth.
They have lived in the highlands and mountains of Nepal for centuries. Their society is gender-neutral, giving men and women equal say, and they only make contact with village outsiders to exchange woodworking for grains and vegetables. The Raute speak an ancient Tibeto-Burman language and live by a set of unwritten laws. They proudly reject modern society and live in temporary hut camps for no longer than a few weeks at a time. Their survival relies on the forest around them and they believe they are one with nature. The forest gives them life.
Explorer and conservationist Sean Burch was granted unprecedented access to the Raute tribe to obtain a record of their culture and values. What can the Raute teach us about sustainability and respect toward one another to help combat the divide and social network that is destroying the fabric of society?
We are on the edge of two universal truths- the present and future that await us on a global scale. Today’s environment is killing cultures like the Raute. If we can’t save a small nomadic tribe of less than 125 people, how can we ever think of saving humankind?
For the first time on camera, their leader reveals their beliefs.