The Doko: More Than Just a Basket
The doko basket is an essential and iconic part of traditional Nepalese culture. These sturdy, cone-shaped baskets are handwoven from natural materials like bamboo, cane, or sometimes straw, making them both eco-friendly and durable. For centuries, they have been an integral part of Nepal’s rural lifestyle.
Traditional Uses
Dokos are primarily used in Nepal’s hilly and mountainous regions as versatile carriers. Farmers and labourers rely on them to transport a variety of goods, such as crops, firewood, grass for livestock, and even building materials. The baskets are carried on the back using a strap called a namlo, which is worn across the forehead. This ergonomic design allows the weight to be distributed efficiently, making it easier to navigate Nepal’s rugged terrains. Dokos are also used by trekking porters, many of them Sherpas from the Khumbu region of Nepal. They transport kit and equipment for trekkers and mountaineers, carrying weights of up to 60kg.
A pivotal part of Gurkha Recruitment
Every British Army Gurkha soldier will be familiar with the concept of the ‘Doko Race’. During the world-renowned annual Gurkha recruitment drive, the aspiring recruits are tasked with ascending a gruelling course in the foothills of the Himalayas carrying a ‘Doko’ loaded with 25kg of sand. They must complete the course within 46 minutes in order to proceed to the next round of selection.
Doko’s Deliver on Fundraising
GWT hold two fundraising Doko races annually in London and in Leeds where hundreds of particpants run in the footsteps of the ‘Bravest of the Brave’ taking on a 5km cross-country course with a weighted Nepali Doko basket strapped to their back.
Our 2024 events raised an impressive £21,000.
Register for our 2025 Doko Races
Registration is now open for our Doko North event which will be taking place on Sunday 25 May at Roundhay Park, Leeds. You can choose for your Doko basket to weigh 5kg, 10kg or 15kg, and can run, jog, or walk the route. Those looking to push themselves can aim to beat the Gurkha recruitment time of 46 minutes!
Register now
Our Doko South race will be taking place in June at a brand new venue to be announced soon!
Borrow a Doko for your own Fundraising event.
Here at GWT we have a store of Doko baskets available for our military fundraisers to borrow for their own events. Over the last year we lent out 850 baskets to military fundraisers who combined, raised a fantastic £7,023 for The Gurkha Welfare Trust.
In November 2023, members of British Forces Cyprus personnel took part in Cyprus’ first ever Doko race. Ten teams of four people took part in Cyprus’ first Doko race raising an incredible €720 to help support our work in Nepal to help Gurkha veterans and their widows live with dignity. Two teams from 15 Squadron, RAF Regiment came out on top, completing the race in 28 minutes and 19 seconds.
In September 2024, members from the 11th Signal Regiment hosted a charity event to commemorate The Queens Gurkha Signals’ 75th anniversary. Sixty participants took on a challenging 4km run while carrying a 15kg weight in a traditional Nepali ‘doko.’ Raising a terrific £534.00 for The Gurkha Welfare Trust.
Find out more about borrowing our Doko baskets