Newars Newa Community

Newar Civilization in Nepal

Newar are the historical inhabitants  Kathmandu Valley and its surrounding areas in Nepal and the creators of its historic heritage and civilisation. Newars form a linguistic and cultural community of primarily Indo-Aryan and Tibeto-Burman ethnicities following Hinduism and Buddhism with Newar language as their common language.Newars have developed a division of labour and a sophisticated urban civilisation not seen elsewhere in the Himalayan foothills. 

Newars have continued their age-old traditions and practices and pride themselves as the true custodians of the religion, culture and civilisation of Nepal. Newars are known for their contributions to culture, art and literature, trade, agriculture and cuisine. 

Total population: 1,321,933(5% of Nepal population)

Regions with significant populations: Nepal

Languages: Newar, Nepali

Religion: Hinduism and Newar Buddhism, Newar Islam minority

Related ethnic group: KiratilesMaithils; Pahadi people; other Indo-Aryan peoples; Tibeto-Burman speakers

Nepal Bhasa already existed as a spoken language during the Licchavi period and is believed to have developed from the language spoken in Nepal during the Kirati period. Inscriptions in Nepal Bhasa emerged from the 12th century, the palm-leaf manuscript from Uku Bahah being the first example. Nepal Bhasa developed from the 14th to the late 18th centuries as the court and state language. It was used universally in stone and copper inscriptions, sacred manuscripts, official documents, journals, title deeds, correspondence and creative writing.

A list of Newar Caste

1. Brāhman,

Shivamargi (1%) Rajopādhyāya, Sharmā, Achārya 

2. Chatharīya (Kshatriya) Srēṣṭha

Shivamargi (12%) 

Malla, Pradhānanga, Pradhān (Pamāhju)Referred to as Thako͞o/Thakur (of Malla-Karnat descent), nobles Rathore/Amātya (Māhāju), Raghuvamshi, Rājvamshi, Pātravamsha, Rājbhandāri, Rājkool, Rāwat, Onta/Wanta,Joshi, Daivajña (Daivagya) - Rajvaidya, Māskay, Māthémā, Timilā, Mulmi/Nyāchhon, Shrestha,

Rājbhandāri (Bhandāri, Bhadél, Bhāri, Bhani, Dhaubhadél, Tālchābhadél), Rathore (Gwanga/Gongol, Amātya, Rāya, Ujāthāchhéñ, Piyā, Mulepāti, Mool), Chauhan (Hādā/Bijukchhé), Chandel (Dhoñju, Joñchhén, Bajimaya, Bātāju, Munankarmi, Khwakhali, Palikhél), Kāyastha (Kasaju),Karmāchārya, Guruwāchārya, etc 

3. Pāñcthariya Srēṣṭha

Shivamargi (14%) :Madhi:kami, Dhaubanjar, Bhadra, Kakshapati, Kolakshapati, Banepāli, Sonepa, Deoju, Sivachārya (Tini), Sāhukhala, Sāhu,

Malla Khacarā, Thaku, Rajlawat, Bagha Shrestha, Badé Shrestha.

"Shrestha" of Thimi, Banepa, Dhulikhel, Dolakha, Panauti, and "Shrestha" of outside three royal-towns of Kathmandu, Patan, BhaktapurTraders and merchants 

(1. Gubhāju

2. Bañdā/Baréju

Buddhamargi (10%)

Gubhāju (Buddhist family purohit)

Baréju (Buddhist temple priests),

Vajrachārya

Shākya) 

3.Uray,udas

Buddhamargi (3%):

Tulādhar

Bānia

Sika:mi (Sthapit)

Tamot/Tāmrakār

Kansakar

Sikhrākār

Shilpakār

Selālik

Shilākār 

4. Pengu Dah: Halwāi/Rajkarnikar

Sthāpit/Bārāhi or Kāsthakār/Shilpakār  called Sikahmi; 

5. Jyāpu (~46%)Farmers

5.1 Maharjan, Dangol

5.2 Singh, Kawan, Suwal, Bāsukala, Desār, Koju, Bekoju, Tuitui, Lāwaju, Mākaju, Dholāju, Gosaĩ, Khaemali, Laghuju, Yakami, Chaguthi, Muguthi, Lageju, Dumaru, Twati, Achāju, Byānju, Rājthala, Kharbujā, Désemaru, Chāguthi, Thakubanjar, Hañchethu, Khāwaju, Galaju, Bhélé, Bhuyo, Basuju, Khichaju, Chhukan, etc

5.3 Kumhār, Prajāpati, Kumāh

5.4 Gopali, Sapu

5.5 Awālé

5.6 Shilpakar

5.7 Lohakami 

6. Khusa;Tandukār

7. Nāu:Nāpit

8. Pű:Chitrakār

9. Kau:Nakarmi

10. Gathu/Māli:Banmala, Mali, Mālākar

11. Tépe:Byanjankār, 

12. Duhim/Putuwar:  Putuwar, Dali, Rājbāhak

13. Sāyami (3%):Mānandhar, Sāyami

14. Balāmi:Balāmi

15. Pahari:  Pahari, Nagarkoti, 

16. Pulu: Pulu

17. Chhipa: Ranjitkar, Ranjit

18. Bhā:karanjit , 

19. Jugi/Kuslé: kusule,Darshandhāri, Kapali 

20. Nāya/Kasaiñ (3%): Khadgi, Shahi

21. Dhobi/Rajaka: Sangat, Rajak, Kannaujiyā

22. Kulu/Dom: Kulu, Carmakār, Badyakār

23. Pwo/Podé (2%): Podé, Deula, Pujāri, Deupālā

24. Cyāmakhala/Chamaha(r): Chyame, Nepali, Jalari

Newa Games

The games which had been played by prasanga people from their ancient time can be classified as Newa games.

Kana kana pichha (Blindfold game), Piyah (a game played with stone by pushing stone within the marks drawn in the ground), Gatti ( another game played with stone by hand), pasa are some games played by Newar people since ancient time.

Newa Food

Kwāti (क्वाति soup of different beans), kachilā (कचिला spiced minced meat), chhoyalā (छोयला water buffalo meat marinated in spices and grilled over the flames of dried wheat stalks), pukālā (पुकाला fried meat), wo (वः lentil cake), paun kwā (पाउँक्वा sour soup), swan pukā (स्वँपुका stuffed lungs), syen (स्येँ fried liver), mye (म्ये boiled and fried tongue), sapu mhichā (सःपू म्हिचा leaf tripe stuffed with bone marrow), sanyā khunā (सन्या खुना jellied fish soup) and takhā (तःखा jellied meat) are some of the popular festival foods. Dessert consists of dhau (धौ yogurt), sisābusā (सिसाबुसा fruits) and mari (मरि sweets). Thwon (थ्वँ rice beer) and aylā (अयला local alcohol) are the common alcoholic liquors that Newars make at home.

                One of the popular sweet, "Yomari

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