Magar cultural information

Image title: Magar cultural information

Description of the photo

Magar logo

Introduction:

Magars of Nepal are originally Mongoloids who are one of the indigenous peoples, belonging to Tibeto-Burman language family and practicing their own mother tongue, religion, culture and social customs. By population, the Magar tribe is the third largest group and the first largest group among the indigenous peoples of Nepal. Usually, the places, rivers, villages, Deurali, forests and roads or tracks in Nepal are named by the Magar language. Therefore, the Magar tribes are the indigenous people (Bhumiputra) ofNepal.

The Magar tribes are said to have originated in the land of Seem, which was situated west of the Tribhuli, east of Karnali, north of Shiwalik (Chure) ranges and south of the Himalayan ranges. The land of Magars is also called as Magarant which is located in the mid-western and western hills of Nepal. Although Magars all scattered almost all the places ofNepal, Magarant has the largest population of Magars. Despite Nepal, Magars also live in India, Bhutan, Burma and after the Second World War in Malaysia including Indonesia.

According to the scholars and historians, Magars had their own independent separate states (rajyas) though many historians have their own claims about the existence of Magar states. Arimudi and Balihang are considered to be the ancient Magar kings. The Khadka Magar king in Gorkha and the Ghale Magar king in Ligligkot have said to be the first Magar kings. Due to lack of written evidences, the Magar tribes have lost more information about their origin. Subdivisions of Magar Tribes

Primarily, there are seven clans of Magars. They are Thapa, Rana, Ale, Pun, Roka, Budha, and Gharti which are also further classified into several sub-clans. According to many scholars, these sub-clans are considered to be around four hundred to twelve hundred.

Language and Script:

Magars have their own mother tongue. The mother tongue of Magars that belongs to the Tibeto-Burman family is called the Magar language. They speak three different languages. The language spoken to the eastern Magarant (Barha Magarant) is called Dhut, and to the western Magarant (Athar Magarant) as Kham/Pang and Magar Kaike.

The Akkha script used during the Gautam Buddha’s time is considered as the written script of Magars, which has been practiced now. But Magar language used for a long time as spoken language has no other written script in the language.

Religion, Rituals and Culture:

Magars are basically the worshippers of Nature and forefathers (Kul). They believe in naturalism or shamanism and animalism who perform Baraju puja, Kul puja, Mandali puja, Jhankri puja, Divara puja, Ban puja, Nag puja, Vayu Puja, Bhayer puja, Bhumya puja, Simya puja, Chandi puja, Bhimsen puja, and Bhairav puja. Some Magars who belong to the Mahayani community of shamanism also practice the tradition of sacrificing animals to deities and gods.

The rituals of Magars such as birth, marriage and death are observed, employing their own kinfolk such as son-in-laws or daughters as priests (Bhusal). Naran (Nauran), Chewar, Badhin Lhetke, Purbhadai, etc. are some of the rituals of Magars. They have the tradition of marrying to the daughters of their own maternal uncles. They have also the tradition of living in the joint family.

The Magar tribes also sing and dance in their own ways. Some of examples of their forms of dances and songs are Kaura, Salaijo, Ghantu, Sorathi, Bhumya, Hurra, Painsyaru, Jhyaure (Jhyabhura), Jhora (Jora), Yanimaya, Sunimaya, Nani lai, Nirmaya, Thadobhaka, Laskebhaka, Asare Bhaka, Jibaimama, Jyanai Ohali, Nautunebhaka, Gopichan, Sisno Khosne, Jorasyai, Bhus Polne, Sarang, Tappa, etc.

The Magar tribes celebrate festivals of their own such as Maghe sankranti (Sakarati, Sanrati), Chandi Punrya, Bhumya, Rung, Karpakeli, Asare, tihar, Pushpandhra (Ro-in), etc.

Occupation:

Traditionally, mining (popular for mine expert or Aagri), agriculture, hunting, fishing, being Lama, Dhami or Jhakri, handicraft and military service are some of occupations of Magar tribes. They have joined the Indian and British military sevices as Lahures who are famous for their bravery and sacrifice. Lakhan Thapa Magar was the army chief who is the first martyr of Nepal. The British government has awarded the Magar military men with Victoria Cross, the most prestigious medal in England, for their gallantry. But with the changing situations, they are also employed as professionals in the fields of sports, industry, medicine, education, government service, law, journalism, development, aviation and in business within and outside Nepal.

Nature:

By nature, Magar tribes are straight forward, honest, brave and friendly.

Puma Bahadur Rana Magar
Chairperson
Nepal Magar Association, Kaski

Gallery information:

The Magar people represents one of the largest indigenous ethnic groups of Nepal whose written history dates to at least the 11th century. The Magars practice shamanism and animalism and practice a variety of Pujas (ritualistic worship). They speak the Magar language which is a branch of the Tibeto-Burman family.

Photo details:
Date: 2019-11-11
Camera: SONY ILCE-6400
Exposure: 1/25
Aperture: f/5
ISO: 1250
Focal length: 53mm

High resolution:
Download file
Size: 2.22 MB
Resolution: 1556 x 2400
© Photograph by Gabe Hiemstra.
License: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

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