Magar, Eastern
PrintA language of Nepal
462,000 in Nepal (2001), decreasing. Isolated enclaves of monolinguals are found in Nawalparasi and southern Tanahu districts. The identification of Magars is complicated by the fact that a number of other ethnic groups (Chantyal, Kham, Kaike, Kusunda, Raute, Raji) have claimed to be Magars to outsiders. Population total all countries: 533,700. Ethnic population: 1,620,000 ethnic Magar (2001 census).
Gandaki Zone, Tanahu, south Gorkha, and north Nawalparasi districts, east of Bagmati river, central mountains; Kosi Zone scattered, Bhojpur, Terhathum, Dhankuta districts; Sagarmatha Zone, Okhaldhunga district; Mechi Zone, Taplejung, Ilam districts. Also in Bhutan, India.
6b (Threatened). Language of recognized nationality (2002, NFDIN Act, No. 20, Section 2C).
Gorkha, Nawalparasi, Tanahu. Also long-extant migrant communities scattered throughout the Eastern Development Region speak a different variety from those west of Kathmandu. Reports of intelligibility between these varieties vary.
Traditional religion, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian.