Maharjan

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Maharjans (Nepali: महर्जन), also known as Jyapu, are one of the original Newars of Nepal, predominantly in Patan of Kathmandu Valley. Their primary occupation is farming and are the sole suppliers of food materials in the community. More information on Newar can be read at http://www.geocities.com/newanepal/details.html . Other last names considered Jyapu are Dangol, Singh, Awale, Suwal etc

Maharjan are indegeneous people of kathmandu valley and now can be found that they are scattered across Nepal. But, they are densely populated in cities of Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Kirtipur and Bhaktapur of Nepal. Maharjan (jyapus) have higher stake in preserving ancient cultures existed from thousands of years tradition. They speak Newari also called as Nepal Bhasa (mother tongue of newars). Modern newars has embraced Nepal Prachalit Lipi (script) as their means to communicate by writing. You can read about different types of script clicking the link http://www.jwajalapa.com/lipi/index.php .

Music is an inseparable part of the culture of Jyapus. The flow of emotions and sentiments can be measured from the music. Exploring into more details, we can easily find the unique music related to birth, death, harmony, love, events etc in the community. Musical instruments that Maharjan community has exceled through Manka Guthi is Dhyamey, Khee, basuri, taa, kaa, bhujyaha etc. Read more about newar's musical instruments http://www.geocities.com/newanepal/musical.html . Not only they are artistic and creative, they are hardworking as well. They feed all kathmanduties with their hardwork since ancient times working in the field with the traditional agricultural techniques. Still, most of the ancient agricultural are popular among the Jhyapus in present times. Fertile land that served Jhyapus for generation are due to the three major fresh water rivers i.e. manohar river, bagmati river and nakkhu river. Most of Jyapus main crops that they grow are rice, wheat, green vegetables such as spinach, mustard greens, collards, cauliflower, onions, garlic etc. Some of the agricultural tools they use are ku, tow-ku, ee, khatan muga, kaki cha, etc.

Due to massive unplanned urbanization in Kathmandu and vicinity, once, Jyapus agro-lands has been now built into houses and roads. Jyapus, ancient techniques of agriculture are on the verge of extinction. It could be realized, they started to convert themselves into other profession from 1980s. In order to preserve the ancient heritage of most indegenious people in Kathmandu, there has been Jhyapu Mahaguthi established which helps this community to unify and provide smooth transition from traditional cultural setting to modern cultural setting with mimimal effect on the heritage that has been carried away through teachings from generations and generations. Read more about guthis in newar society and culture clicking the link below http://www.himalassociation.org/baha/FromKinToCaste.pdf