Magar People

The Magars are the inhabitants of Bar Magarat (East of Ridi) and Athar Magarant (West of Ridi). Athar Magrant consists of Bheri, Rapti and Dhaulagiri regions with Kham or Athar language and Bar Magarant consists of Tanahnu, Palpa and Gorkha districts. Thus, they have been divided into two group: Bar Panthi and Athar Panthi. They have three language group: Athar Magarat (Kham), Kaike and Magaranti. Rama, Jaisi and Dhami are the priests. They have their own language which comes under the category of the Tibeto - Burman family. Agriculture is their main occupation. The Magar youths are also recruited in British, Indian and Nepal armies.

Large numbers of Magars live in Palpa, Tanahu, Myagdi, Pyuthan and Rolpa. They are also found in Arghakhanchi, Syangja, Parbat, Baglung, Dolpa, Surkhet, Sindhuli and Udaypur. Research scholars opine that the Sen kings and Thakuris of the Magrant districts are also Magars. These facts make the Magars as one of the most pervasive ethnic groups of Nepal. They have their own unique dress codes and culture, which are doomed to extinction. They are Buddhist by religion.

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