Newar Community

Newar history is closely tied to the growth of settlements and kingdoms in the Kathmandu Valley. In the Licchavi and Malla periods, the Valley developed influential urban, religious, artistic and trading institutions. The term Newar encompasses descendants of groups that formed the Valley's society over many centuries rather than a single lineage.

After the Gorkha conquest of the Valley in the eighteenth century, Newar communities continued to shape commerce, craft, administration and cultural life while also establishing settlements in trading towns across Nepal. Specific origin stories often vary by caste group, locality, guthi and family archive.

The Kathmandu Valley remains the principal historical center of Newar life, particularly Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur and surrounding settlements. Newar merchant, artisan and administrative communities also developed in towns along historic trade routes, and today Newar families live throughout Nepal and abroad.

Newar cultural practices vary by locality, social group and religious tradition. Guthi institutions organize many religious, social and community responsibilities. Major public traditions include Indra Jatra, Bisket Jatra, Rato Machhindranath Jatra, Mha Puja and Nepal Sambat observances, although participation and ritual form vary. Newar cuisine, music, dance, metalwork, woodcarving and architecture are similarly diverse.