Jaari

A volatile, patriarchal husband whose bitterness over infertility fuels verbal and physical abuse of Hangma. His rigid pride drives him to threaten a second marriage to produce an heir. After his mother’s death, he experiences a slow-burn transformation as he witnesses the consequences of his pride in Hangma’s suffering, leading to a reconsideration of his actions and a reluctant path toward reconciliation.

A Limbu woman trapped in a volatile, childless marriage who endures abuse and social pressure. She asserts her autonomy by eloping with Serang, triggering the Jaari debt but choosing her own happiness. Returning to work off the debt, she endures hardship with quiet strength, and later challenges Namsang in a Palam contest as part of their evolving relationship.

A charming, earnest young man who wins Hangma’s heart at a cultural fair and becomes the catalyst for her second marriage. His presence intensifies the Jaari dynamic and heightens the stakes of Hangma’s pursuit of personal happiness within a traditional framework.

Hangma’s brother, crestfallen by his sister’s plight, takes on the burden of paying the Jaari debt by manufacturing and selling Chyabrung drums as fast as possible. His decision embodies familial loyalty and sacrifice in the face of social obligation.

Namsang’s ally who is enlisted to find a second wife for Namsang, but his efforts fail due to Namsang’s infamy. He functions as a foil to Namsang’s pride and as a practical reminder of how tradition operates through social networks.

An elder figure representing the older generation’s perspective on honor and tradition. His presence underscores the weight of ancestral expectations that shape the actions of his son and the family as a whole.