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The Tharu community, particularly in the western regions of Nepal, celebrates the festival of Maghi with a rich tapestry of cultural festivities. This celebration has grown even more significant not only due to its rituals but also because of the diverse culinary delights prepared during this period. The festival is observed in various western Tarai districts, including Bardiya, Nepalgunj, Kapilvastu, Rupandehi, and western Nawalparasi, showcasing a shared love for this auspicious occasion among the Tharu people.
In Bardiya, relatives reunite, and faraway family members return to their hometowns during Maghi. A special delicacy called “jaad” (alcohol) is prepared by cooking rice mixed with larva (jungle herb) and stored in earthen pots. This concoction ferments into a drinkable syrup over time. Alongside this, traditional items like roti, dhikari, potatoes, and pork meat are enjoyed during the festivities. The celebration extends to Poush 28, marked by fishing, and Poush 29, dedicated to hunting wild boars. Traditional drumming, singing, and dancing around a fire are central to the Maghi celebrations.
Maghi is observed differently across Tharu communities, with a focus on communal activities and traditional practices. The festival involves men and women participating on different days, with men handling household chores while women visit relatives. Discussions on various household matters, planning agricultural activities, and addressing social issues occur during the festival. Initiatives against child marriage, polygamy, and limiting gathering sizes are topics of discussion. Tharu communities in different regions engage in various activities, including jungle hunts, crafting traditional items, and performing Jhumaru dances around a fire.
Preparations for Maghi begin a week in advance, with families enjoying special items like bhuja, tilko laddu, ghongi, fish, and dhikari for 13 days. Traditional dishes are prepared at home, and brothers pack rice, lentils, and salt for their sisters as a gesture of love. Despite modern challenges, the community emphasizes passing on these cultural practices to the younger generation to preserve their heritage. The festival reflects a blend of culinary richness, cultural heritage, and community bonding within the Tharu communities across different regions.
Maghe Sankranti, also known as the Khichadi festival, is celebrated differently in Rupandehi. Traditional drumming and dances are now rare, but a week before Maghi, preparations kick off with families relishing special items for 13 days. The Tharu community in Dang engages in various activities such as jungle hunts, crafting traditional plates, making homemade liquors, and enjoying fresh potatoes. The emphasis on passing down cultural practices becomes crucial as the current generation, involved in education and work, faces challenges in fully engaging in these cultural traditions. Despite evolving circumstances, the Tharu community remains committed to preserving its rich cultural heritage.
