About Magar

Magars are one of the oldest indigenous ethnic groups of Nepal, residing mainly in the western and southern parts of Nepal. They are the third largest ethnolinguistic group in Nepal, representing about 7.1% of Nepal. Some of them also live in northern India, especially in the state of Sikkim. The northernmost Magar are mainly Buddhists, whereas farther southern have come under strong Hindu influence. They are believed to be of Tibetan/Magolean descent because their language and culture are quite similar. They speak their Magar language (kham, Dhut, Kaike, etc.), which is a Sino-Tibetan language.

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Lifestyles

Most of them draw their subsistence from agriculture. Others are Craftsmen, Pastoralists, or Labourers. Along with other ethnic groups like Gurung, Rai, Limbu, etc. They have made frames as Gurkha soldiers. The first VC winner native Gurkha was Kulbir Thapa Magar, who was from Magar the community.

Culture and Traditions

Magars from different parts of Nepal follow Hinduism and Buddhism and mainly northern Nepal’s Magar follow Bom (Shamanism). Originally Magars follow Shamanism, Animism, and Ancestor Worship. Some Magar also follows a form of Tibetan Buddhism, with a priest called Lama Guru. There, they developed a syncretic form of religion that combines Buddhist rituals and earlier shamanism with Hindu traditions. In their Shamanism and Animism, The Dhami called Danger and Jhankri (A faith healer or shaman) was the traditional spiritual and social leader of The Magar.

The major festivals of the Magars community are Maghe Shnkranti ( The most important annual festival of Magar celebrated on the first month of Magh), Bhumi puja (worship of nature), Baishakhe Purnima, Jestha Purnima, Mangsir Purnima, Chandi Purnima, “chhaigo” as Lhosar which is consider as New Year of Magar community according to their Naagchi Sambat.

They have contributed phenomenally to Nepali flok songs and dances, The major flok dances and songs originated from the Magar community are kauda or Kaura, Chudka, Salaijo, Maruni, Ghatu, Hurra, Jhorra, kanraha, Yanimaya, Sunimaya, Rung, Bon lama nach and more.

kauda Dance:

Kauda is a traditional dance performed by the Magars. It is typically performed at festivals, weddings, and other special celebrations. The dance is performed with the involvement of a group of men and women dancing in a circle with energetic rhymical steps. The dance is performed with music played on traditional instruments, such as the madal and the murchunga. The kauda dance is an important part of the Magars cultural heritage.

Maruni Dance:

Maruni is another folk dance of the Magars community, which is popular in the Magars of the Indian state of Darjeeling, Assam, Sikkim, and Bhutan. It is performed as a part of Dashain and Tihar festivals to commemorate “The victory of good over evils”. It is considered as beauty and glance of the Magar women and is often performed by young girls.

Salaijo:

Salaijo is a traditional folk song and dance of the Magar community. The song is typically sung in various celebrations and festivals and is characterized by its fast-paced, upbeat rhythm and joyful lyrics. The accompanying dance is performed by a group of men and women in a circle. It is considered a joy and spirit of the Magar people and is widely performed in the central and western region’s Magars of Nepal.

Mayur Dance:

Mayur dance is a traditional dance of the Magar community. It is popular in the Western Magar of Rolpa and Rukum, especially Kham Magar. It is performed in various celebrations and festivals. It is performed by a group of males and females imitating the movement of peacocks.

Language

The Magars speak their own language, which is a member of the Sino-Tibetan Language. There are variants in their language among several dialects, including Western Magar, Eastern Magar, and Southern Magar. Kham, Kaike, Dhut, etc are some of the variants of the Magar language

Magar’s dress

Magar male dress:

• Kachhad
• Bhoto or shirt
• Bhangra
• Nepali Topi

Magar female dress and ornaments:

• Lunghi or Phariya
• Chaubandhi Cholo or closed blouse
• Patuka or waistband
• Mujatro or Shawal like garment

Along with the dress, Magar female wears various ornaments like:

• Bulaki (On nose)
• Madwari (On ears)
• Phuli (On left nostril)
• Haari (The silver coin nicklace)
• Pote with Tilhari, Jantar, Dhungri, naugedi, phul, kuntha, etc.
• Raiya (On Hand)
• Sirbandhi, Sirphul and Chndra (On head)

Learn More: Magar Dress and Ornaments

Magar’s Clans

Magars are divided into seven clans (tribes) as Ale ,Bhudhathoki or Bhudha, Gharti, Pun, Rana, Roka, Thapa. Each tribes have same customs and social standing. Each tribe is further subdivided into many sub-clans as follows

Ale Magars

1. Arghli
2. Durungchung
3. Haski
4. Hungchen
5. Limel
6. Pade
7. Rakhal
8. Suyal
9. Sirpali,etc

Budhathoki Magars (Budha)

1. Arkali
2. Balkoti
3. Barkabiri
4. Chini
5. Darlasi
6. Deowal
7. Doyal
8. Gamal
9. Janjali
10. Jiyali
11. Jugjali
12. Jujali
13. Karmani
14. Kosila
15. Khame
16. Lamichhane
17. Namjali
18. Pahare
19. Pahari
20. Pare
21. Pojange
22. Ramjali
23. Romkhami
24. Singjali/Sinjali
25. Thami
26. Ulange, etc

Gharti Magars

1. Bhujel
2. Dagami
3. Galami
4. kalikotey
5. Masrangi
6. Pahari/Panre
7. Phagami
8. Rangu
9. Rawal
10. Rajali
11. Sawangi
12. Sene
13. Surai
14. Sinjapati
15. Talaji
16. Tirukia
17. Thini
18. Wale, etc.

Pun Magars

1. Amaja
2. Balali
3. Birkali
4. Baijali
5. Batha
6. Dut
7. Gaura
8. Garbuja
9. Khame
10. Ramjali
11. Pahare
12. Paija
13. Phagami/Fagami
14. Phungali
15. Purja
16. Sabangi
17. Sherpuja
18. Sain
19. Sanangi
20. Saureni
21. Sothi
22. Sut
23. Tilija
24. Thane
25. Tirke

Rana Magars

1. Aachhami
2. Aslami
3. Bangling
4. Chumi
5. Chutaurey/Chitorey
6. Deuka
7. Fewali
8. Gyangmi/Gyami
9. Jung
10. Khadka/Kharka
11. Kyapchaki/Kepchaki
12. Lungeli
13. Makkim
14. Maski
15. Marchu
16. Pali
17. Ruchal
18. Shrees
19. Surjabansi/Suryabangsi
20. Limel,etc.

Roka Magars

1. Baijali
2. Bajhangi
3. Dununge
4. Jelbangi
5. Dununge

Thapa Magars

1. Athaghare
2. Bagale
3. Bakabal
4. Bakheti
5. Baraghare
6. Birkatta
7. Byangnasi
8. Darlami
9. Dhenga
10. Jarga
11. Kala
12. Kummu
13. Khapangi
14. Midun
15. Mugmi
16. Palunge
17. Punwar/Puwar
18. Sathighare
19. Saplangi
20. Singjali/sinjali
21. Salami
22. Taramu
23. Tarami
24. Taramgi
25. Gaha Thapa
    • Bucha
    • Gora
    • Khanga/Khangaha
26. Resami Thapa
    • Dangal
27. Saru Thapa
    • Baral
    • Chauhan
    • Gurbachan
    • Ghale
    • Jhakote
    • Jhapurluk
    • Jhedi/Jhendi
    • kala
    • Khamcha
    • Khandaluk
    • Purbachhaney
    • Phounja
    • Pachabhaiya
    • Pithakote
    • Rakaskoti/Raskoti
    • Samal
    • Somai
    • Uchai

Now a days, Any Thapa who had lost three generations of ancestors in battle becomes a rana, with the prefix of his Thapa clan.

Learn More: Magar Clans | Sub-Clans | Caste List

Some facts About Magars

Also check:-About Gurungs