By M. Lilla and C. Bishop Barry
‘Hurried Trip to Avoid a Bad Star’ by two American Geographers M. Lilla and C. Bishop Barry is a travelogue that deals with the geographers’ journey of Karnali zone on their foot for 15 months in the year 1970. This travelogue projects the miserable life of the people of Karnali. Written in 1971 when Karnali was not linked by road facility, this essay explores social, cultural, and economic aspects of the life of Karnali people.
In the beginning and towards the end of the essay, the geographers focus on the economic relationship between Karnali and Nepalgunj. The Karnali people export the local products such as medicinal herbs, hashish, handknit sweaters/blankets, etc. to the market to Nepalgunj and import the necessary goods such as clothes, spice, ironware, etc. from there. The reference of the locals carrying baskets and going to Nepalgunj is an indication of small-scale business of export whereas the Karnali people buying the essential goods from Nepalgunj is an indication of small-scale business of import. This business of export and import has eased the livelihood and survival of the Karnali people.
Karnali people lack knowledge about the external world as suggested by the reference of the Chhetri woman. She is unable to distinguish between Nepalgunj and America because for her both these places are distant villages. Similarly, her message to the geographers also suggests Karnali people as the victim of unemployment and poverty. Her husband is a representative of the Karnali people and his story is the fate of Karnali people. Though Karnali people are the victims of unemployment, Nepalgung attempts to give them relief by offering job opportunities. In that sense, there lies the economic relationship between Karnali and Nepalgunj. Though the Chhetri woman is thirty, her husband had left her 15 years ago. That means, she must have got married before fifteen. This fact brings forth the issue of child marriage which is a popular practice in Karnali.
Karnali people are superstitious as suggested by the reference of the people of Sinja Valley who believe in the concepts of good star and bad star and act accordingly. Instead of processing Silajit in Sinja Valley, they process it in the forest because of superstition. They process Silajit below Sinja Valley thinking they have avoided the bad star and their good star has started. The reference of the skeletal-looking sal trees and a woman chopping down the branches for leaves to feed her goats brings forth the issue of deforestation. The reply of the woman, “ What can we do? The animals must eat today.” signifies many things. Firstly, it shows the ignorance of Karnali people about the impacts of deforestation. Secondly, it hints at animal husbandry as one of their occupations. Thirdly, it also implies that destroying nature is not their desire but an obligation.
The geographers conclude the essay with the reference of Karma and his dream. Karma, one of the porters, spends all his money on buying distillery equipment because he has the dream of going back to his village, selling liquor, and being rich. In fact, Karma is a representative of the Karnali people and his dream represents their dream too. Through Karma’s dream, the geographers imply that Karnali people are having a miserable life but they are hopeful about their future. Despite the dark present, they see the dream of a bright future. But after more than 50 years of passage of time, their dream is still a dream; it has not come true yet.
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