Languages · Profile

मगर

Magar

The language of the Magar, one of Nepal's largest indigenous peoples, whose hill villages gave the country generations of soldiers, farmers and singers.

810,315
mother tongue speakers in Nepal (2021 census)
2.78%
of Nepal's population
Tibeto-Burman
language family
Devanagari
script
In Nepal

Where it is spoken

Magar Dhut and Magar Kham varieties

The mid-hills of Lumbini and Gandaki Provinces, including Palpa, Tanahun, Syangja, Nawalparasi, Rolpa and Rukum.

LumbiniGandakiKarnali
Beyond Nepal

Who else speaks it

  • India: Communities in Sikkim, Darjeeling and the Northeast
  • Bhutan and Myanmar: Smaller settled communities
  • United Kingdom: Gurkha veteran families
The Dehat

Our work in Magar

Oral history and cultural coverage of Magar hill communities.

Speak Magar, or know someone who does? We want to hear your stories.

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Sources: National Population and Housing Census 2021, Nepal (mother tongue); Census of India 2011. Figures for small and endangered languages are estimates.