Maharjan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Maharjan's (Nepali: महर्जन), also commonly known as Jyapu, are one of the original Newar castes or groups of Nepal, predominantly from Patan and Kathmandu in Kathmandu Valley. Their primary occupation is farming and they are traditionally the sole suppliers of food in the community. More information on Newar can be read at http://www.geocities.com/newanepal/details.html . Other common Maharjans' last names are Dangol, Singh, Awale and Suwal.
Maharjan are the indigenous people of Kathmandu Valley but now can be found throughout Nepal. They mostly live in the Nepali cities of Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Kirtipur and Bhaktapur. Maharjan (Jyapus) have higher stake in preserving ancient cultures existed from thousands of years tradition. Their language is Newari also known as Nepal Bhasa, which is the mother tongue of Newars. Modern Newars use Nepal Prachalit Lipi (script) for written language. You can read about different types of script clicking the link http://www.jwajalapa.com/lipi/index.php .
It has also been claimed that the Jyapus are the true descendants of the original population of Kathmandu Valley. Other castes in Newar community are later add-ons by due migrations in later times.
Music is an essential part of Jyapu culture. The flow of emotions and sentiments can be measured from the music. Their unique music covers the themes of birth, death, harmony, love and community events. Traditional musical instruments that have been used through Manka Guthi include dhyamey, khee, basuri, taa, kaa and bhujyaha. 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. From ancient times to the present Maharjans have supplied food for Kathmandu using traditional agricultural techniques. They farm the fertile land along the large Manohar, Bagmati and Nakkhu rivers. The main crops are rice, wheat and green vegetables, including spinach, mustard greens, collards, cauliflower, onions and garlic. Agricultural tools they use include ku, tow-ku, ee, khatan muga and kaki cha.
Due to massive unplanned urbanization in the Kathmandu area, much of the Jyapus traditional agricultural land has been covered by houses and roads and the Jyapus ancient agricultural techniques are on the verge of extinction. Many have taken up other profession since the 1980s. To preserve the ancient heritage of indegenious people in Kathmandu, the Jhyapu Mahaguthi organisation has been 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
Jyapus are religious people. They are mostly Hindus, Buddhist or both (mixed). Mostly, their art and daily life is influenced from Buddhism. Learn about the fusion of newar religion, art and culture clicking the following link http://www.huntingtonarchive.osu.edu/Nepal/nepal.html .
[edit] Prominent Jyapu's
- Pashupati Bhakta Maharjan, King Gyanendra's personal secretary
- Tirtha Ram Dangol is a Nepalese politician. He was elected to the Pratinidhi Sabha in the 1999 election on behalf of the Nepali Congress.[1]
- Raj Kaji Maharjan, Constitution Assembly Election (2008) winner from Lalitpur Constituent - 2
