A deeply rooted prominent feature of inter-caste economic interdependen cy in Jumla is long-term hereditary contractual labor relations known as lagi-Iagitya. This relation is called riti-bhagya (Cameron, 1997:77) in far west epal and hali pratha in west and east Nepal. It is based on the traditional feudalistic Hindujajman i (patron-client ) system of caste-specd"ic task specialization . Lagi is a patron or landlord and lagitya is a ploughman. In Jumla. men from Buddhist communities plow their

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... agricultural fields themselves. Similar is the case among matawali Chhetris who occupy the dry slopes of higher valleys called pawai. Unlike many other 8al11ms, Thakllris alld Chhetris, these communities have less cultural restrictions to work 111 agricultural fields. The Hindu religious ideology does not prohibit them to plow their fields. The absent of low caste occupational groups in their communities, the shortage of agricultural lands, and the poor material conditions are also operative forces for these communities to plow their fields by themselves. A/IIolIg 8all1/11, Thakllri alld Cllhetri communities, who occupy lower valleys of Tila, Sinja and Pansayadara and own most parts of irrigated lands called .Jillla, men do not plow their agricultural lands themselves. For them, agricultural works 111 general and plowing in particular are ritually polluting. In order to plow their fields, they establish a special economic relation with low caste people who live close to their area. Dr. Om Gurun2. is the senior Lecturer in Anthropology at (he Central