This study has two main aims: (1) to provide an in-depth documentation and analysis of the economic and social processes of a Nepalese village, and (2) to examine how this data relates theoretically to studies of peasant communities in other areas. The fieldwork upon which the study is based was originally carried out in 1971-1972 in the Okhaldhunga District of eastern Nepal. Research centered on two sites, Okhaldhunga Bazar (population 874) and Bigutar (population 346). As the investigation was primarily concerned with the social system of the agricultural village of Bigutar, a major portion of the fieldwork (May, 1971 – June, 1972) was conducted there. In addition, another ten months (June, 1970 – April, 1971) were spent in the district capital, Okhaldhunga Bazar. The latter served as the primary population and economic center for the inhabitants of Bigutar and, as the research was also concerned with the villagers’ external relationships, an investigation of both sites seemed necessary. During fieldwork information was obtained primarily from observation and through informal interviews. Except during the first four months in Okaldhunga Bazar, interpreters were not used and much information was gleaned from the villagers’ day-to-day conversations. Information collected during the original period of research (1971-1972) as well as during a six-week visit in the fall of 1977 is presented in chapters one through five. This description and analysis, written between 1974 and 1978, has been retained in its original form. Information presented in chapters six through eight was collected during three additional visits, each of six weeks duration, in 1987, 2000 and 2001. Besides these periods of fieldwork, contact with the people of Bigutar was also maintained during the past 30 years through correspondence.
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