Abstract
This paper examines the shifts in the inter-caste relationships brought about by the commercial practices at meat market of Kathmandu, where people from various castes are interacting. Focussing on the members of Khadgi caste who have been engaged in slaughtering, processing, and trading of livestock as a caste-based role in the Newar society in Kathmandu Valley, I described the negotiations between Khadgi and other castes from Newar society and Muslims in the daily commercial practices at the livestock market, abattoir, and meat shop.
In 1973, Khadgi established their caste-association. Pressurized by the formation of meat market and non Khadgi entrance to the market, this caste-association has enlarged its role as an agent for re-interpreting caste-image to ensure the caste category which help to keep their advantage in the market. Through this re-interpretation, the shifts in the inter-caste relationships have been brought about. For example, some members of Khadgi have been refused their traditional caste based roles which they considered to be linked with caste hierarchy. These developments can be seen as a result of the individualization mediated by the market economy. However, in case of Khadgi, since their livelihood is keenly connected with the caste based role, they don't simply seek the way for individualization, but they re-interpret the category of caste to facilitate their livelihoods by mixing with the norms of ‘caste based role’ and ‘market trade’.
