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{{Short description|Overview of the Magadh culture}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2026}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2026}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group = Magahis
| native_name = मगहि लोग 𑂧𑂏𑂯𑂱 𑂪𑂷𑂏 مگاہی قوم
| native_name_lang = mag
| image = Magadh Map.png
| languages = [[Magahi language|Magahi]] Additionally [[Hindi]]-[[Urdu]]
| religions = '''Majority:''' [[File:Om.svg|15px]] [[Hinduism]] 
'''Minority:''' {{hlist
|[[File:Star and Crescent.svg|18px]] [[Islam]]|[[File:Dharma Wheel.svg|18px]] [[Buddhism]]|[[File:Christian cross.svg|12px]] [[Christianity]]|[[File:Jain Prateek Chihna.svg|12px]] [[Jainism]]}}
| related_groups = [[Bhojpuri people|Bhojpuris]], [[Maithils]], and other [[Indo-Aryan peoples]]
}}
'''Magahis''' ([[Devanagari]]: मगहि लोग, [[Kaithi]]: 𑂧𑂏𑂯𑂱 𑂪𑂷𑂏, [[Perso-Arabic script|Perso-Arabic]]: {{Nastaliq|مگاہی قوم}}) are an Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group native to the [[Magadha (region)|Magadh]] region of the [[East India]]n states of [[Bihar]] and [[Jharkhand]]. Magahi culture is rich with its distinct language, folk songs and festivals. They natively speak the [[Magahi language|Magahi]] language.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p3N81Di9EN8C&pg=PA6|title=Magahī Phonology: A Descriptive Study | access-date=30 March 2017 | pages=6|isbn=978-81-8069-525-4 |last1=Prasad |first1=Saryoo |year=2008 |publisher=Concept Publishing Company }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SylBHS8IJAUC&pg=PA91| title=Language, Religion and Politics in North India | access-date=30 March 2017 | pages=93| isbn=978-0-595-34394-2 | last1=Brass | first1=Paul R. | year=2005 | publisher=iUniverse }}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p3N81Di9EN8C&dq=%22Magahi+people%22+-wikipedia&pg=PA6|title=Magahī Phonology: A Descriptive Study|access-date=19 January 2020|pages=6|isbn=978-81-8069-525-4|last1=Prasad|first1=Saryoo|year=2008|publisher=Concept Publishing Company }}</ref>

==Language==
{{Main|Magahi language}}
The Magahi language is mainly spoken in south [[Bihar]] and parts of [[Jharkhand]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Magahi Folklore and Folk Tales |first=Sheela |last=Verma |publisher=Manohar |date=2008 |page=29 |isbn=978-81-7304-804-3}}</ref> It is in the [[Bihari languages|Bihari group]] of [[Indo-Aryan languages]]. Around 12 million people speak Magahi as a native language according to the [[2011 census of India]].<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/42458/download/46089/C-16_25062018.pdf | title=Census 2011 - Language - India, states and union territories | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130173406/https://censusindia.gov.in/nada/index.php/catalog/42458/download/46089/C-16_25062018.pdf | archive-date=30 January 2025}}</ref> It is spoken in eleven districts of [[Bihar]] ([[Gaya, India|Gaya]], [[Patna]], [[Jehanabad]], [[Aurangabad, Bihar|Aurangabad]], [[Nalanda]], [[Nawada]], [[Sheikhpura]], [[Arwal]], Lakhisarai, Jamui and some parts of Banka), and in eleven districts of Jharkhand ([[Hazaribag district|Hazaribag]], Palamu, Garhwa, Deoghar, [[Chatra district|Chatra]], [[Koderma district|Koderma]], [[Jamtara district|Jamtara]], [[Bokaro district|Bokaro]], [[Dhanbad district|Dhanbad]], [[Giridih district|Giridih]], [[Palamu district|Palamu]]).<ref name="ethnologue.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ethnologue.com/language/mag|title=Magahi|website=ethnologue}}</ref>

The people of Bihar speak the Magahi dialect of Magahi and the peoples of Jharkhand speaks the [[Khortha language|Khortha]] dialect of Magahi.

===Religion===
[[Shaktism]] (most prominent sect of Magadha), Saurya sect (now got completely merged with Shaktism), [[Shaivism]] (Shaivism have great significance in Magadha mainly the newly emerged movement of Shiv Charcha is growing fastly and [[Baidyanath Temple|Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga]] is also too much important for Magadhi peoples), While [[Vaishnavism]] is not much famous but sites like [[Vishnupad Temple, Gaya|Vishnupad]] temple shows its influence in history.
[[File:Sun-temple DEO Aurangabad Bihar,India.jpg|thumb|200px|{{center|[[Deo Surya Mandir]] in [[Deo, Bihar|Deo]], [[Aurangabad district, Bihar|Aurangabad, Bihar]], [[India]]}}]]

Jainism was also born in Magadha as last Tirthankar, Mahaveer Jain were born in Magadh, and it's also believed that almost 20 Tirthankars got enlightenment in magadha (Sammed shikharji and Pavapuri).

Last and 10th guru of Sikhism, Guru Gobind Singh ji was born in Patna (Patna Sahib) that's why Magadha also have great significance in Sikhism.

Tribal beliefs are also present as many tribes like Munda, Oraon and Santhali live in high number in Magadh region of Jharkhand and also in some parts of Bihar. Even many Hindus worship pre-vedic or Tribal deities like Sokha Baba, Bir Kuar Baba, Dihvar baba etc.

===Festivals===
[[Chhath]] is an important festival of Magadhi people.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/bhopal-over-25k-devotees-perform-chatt-puja-with-religious-fervor| title=Bhopal: Over 25k devotees perform Chatt puja with religious fervor|date=4 November 2019|access-date=19 January 2020}}</ref> Other important festivals are [[Durga Puja|Durga puja]], [[Holi|Fagua]](Holi), [[Sarswati Puja|Sarswati puja]], [[Teej]], [[Jitiya]], [[Sohrai|Gaiya dardh]]/Sohrai, [[Bhai Dooj|Godhan Kutai]], [[Karam festival|Karma Puja]], [[Ananta Chaturdashi|Anat puja]], [[Diwali|Deepavali]](Lachhmi puja), [[Chhath|Chaiti Chhath]], Jethaan puja/[[Tulasi Vivaha|Tulsi vivah]], [[Vat Savitri|Bar puja]]/Vat savitri vrat, [[Vijayadashami|Dussehra]], [[Rama Navami|chaiti Navami pujai]], [[Mahanavami|Ashin Navami Pujai]], Savan satami pujai, [[Ganga Dussehra|Ganga Snan]], [[Satuaani|Satuaan]], [[Makar Sankranti|Til Sakraat]], [[Vishvakarma Puja|Vishwakarma puja]], [[Chaitra Navrati|Chaiti Navrat]] and [[Holi|Magadhi new year]](Holi or Fagua), [[Mauni Amavasya|Gungi snan]], [[Pitru Paksha|Pitra Paksh]], [[Basanti puja|Chaiti Durga puja]],<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d5ceAAAAMAAJ|title=Magahi Culture: A Monographic Study|access-date=19 January 2020|last1=Maitra|first1=Asim|year=1983}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NcRHAAAAMAAJ|title=A Peep into seventyfive years of Bihar|year=1987|access-date=19 January 2020}}</ref>

===Music and dance===
[[File:Magahi folk singers.JPG|thumb|Magahi folk singers]]
Jhumar, Jatsaar, Samdaun(vidai geet), Domakch/Damkach, Pachraa, Saanjh, Deepavali geet( geet sung by women on dipavali for calling prosperity in house), Chhath geet, Paraat geet, Ropani-pavariha geet(sometimes known as only "Ropani geet" Shiv Charcha, Jharni geet(sung by Muslims during Muharram) and many types of songs sung during wedding rituals like Matkod geet, Bidai geet, Bhatwaan geet, Kanyadaan geet etc. are also integral part of Magadhi culture, performed on various occasions.

===Cinema===
Bhaiyaa was the first film with sound in the cinema of Bihar which was made in Magahi language and released in 1961 directed by Phani Majumdar.

===Painting===
In folk paintings Kohbar painting is most important in Magadhi culture, generally it's created on wedding. In Jharkhand (North part/Magadh) similar type of painting is famous called Sohrai-Kohbar painting it's also created during wedding and on the festival of Sohrai/Gaiya daardh. It achieved GI Tag in 2020.

Tikuli art is also a famous art of Magadh. It was originated in Patna around 800–1000 years ago. The word tikuli means "Bindi" in Magadhi(Magahi/Khortha) Language. This art have themes like Radhe shyam, Shiv and Parvati ji, sometimes animals could be part of it. During mughal period Tikuli art was generally carved on mirror but now it's also created on clothes and canvas.

Sujani art was originated in bhusura village of Arwal district of Magadh region during early 18th century, which got famous in whole Magadh region of Bihar and Jharkhand with time. Originally it was created on pillow and bedsheet of newborns, that's why it's called Sujani which means "auspiciouslly born". But during 19th century it became more famous and it became a tradition that every girl have to make Sujani embroidery on Pardah or Bedsheet or on canvas oranywhere to bring it to house of in laws. Sujani art achieved GI tag in 2006

Sohrai painting is painted during Sohrai festival. As during Deepavali there is a tradition of cleaning and decorating home so, peoples of Magadh celebrates Sohrai festival next day if Deepavali and to decorate homes they make Soharai painting on walls. Its history is traced bask to 7000BCE. them paitnings like Bhim betka are comsidered its origin. It aĺso got GI tag in 2020.

Khatwa embroidery and art is an art emerged from Patna.It's carved out on tents, saree, bedsheet.

===Folk ballads===
Despite "lacking literature", Magahi language contains an oral repertoire of folksongs and ballads,<ref>{{cite book |last=Chatterji |first=Suniti Kummar |author-link=Suniti Kumar Chatterji |title=Languages and Literatures of Modern India |location=Prakash Bhavan |date=1963 |page=74}}</ref> some of their subject matter also known to the northern part of India.<ref>{{cite book |last=Grierson |first=George Abraham |author-link=George Abraham Grierson |title=Linguistic Survey of India |volume=V: Indo-Aryan Family Eastern Group; Part 2: Specimens of the Bihari and Oriya Languages |location=Calcutta |publisher=Office of the Superintendent, Government Printing, India |date=1903 |page=35}}</ref> The ballads are sung by folk singers and bards, and tend to vary between each telling.<ref>{{cite book |last=Sharma |first=N. |chapter=Glimpses of Magahi Ballads |title=Indian Publication Folklore Series |volume=13 |editor-last=Chaubey |editor-first=Ganesh |pages=233–234}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=Magahi Folklore and Folk Tales |first=Sheela |last=Verma |publisher=Manohar |date=2008 |page=87 |isbn=978-81-7304-804-3}}</ref> Among the more famous ballads of the Magahi repertoire, there are ''Song of Gopichandra'' and the ''Song of Lorik'',<ref>{{cite book |last=Grierson |first=George Abraham |author-link=George Abraham Grierson |title=Linguistic Survey of India |volume=V: Indo-Aryan Family Eastern Group; Part 2: Specimens of the Bihari and Oriya Languages |location=Calcutta |publisher=Office of the Superintendent, Government Printing, India |date=1903 |page=35}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Chatterji |first=Suniti Kummar |title=Languages and Literatures of Modern India |location=Prakash Bhavan |date=1963 |page=74}}</ref> the latter also known as ''[[Lorikayan]]'' or ''Lorikayana''.

==Notable people==
*[[Ram Lakhan Singh Yadav]], freedom fighter & educationist
*[[Satyendra Narayan Sinha]], freedom fighter
*[[Nitish Kumar]], chief minister of Bihar
*[[Mathura Prasad Naveen]], poet

==References==
{{reflist}}

;Bibliography:
* {{cite book |last=Sharma |first=N. |chapter=Glimpses of Magahi Ballads |title=Indian Publication Folklore Series |volume=13 |editor-last=Chaubey |editor-first=Ganesh |pages=233–239}}
* {{cite book |title=Magahi Folklore and Folk Tales |first=Sheela |last=Verma |publisher=Manohar |date=2008 |isbn=978-81-7304-804-3}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite book |title=Magahi Culture: A Monographic Study |first=Asim |last=Maitra |publisher=Cosmo Publications |date=1983}}
* {{cite journal |last=Sharma |first=Nageswar |title=Three Magahi Ballads |journal=Folklore |volume=19 |issue=11 |date=November 1978 |pages=339–347}}

{{Bihar}}

[[Category:Culture of India by community]]
[[Category:Magadh division]]
[[Category:Social groups of Bihar]]
[[Category:Indo-Aryan peoples]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in India]]
[[Category:Hindu ethnic groups]]

Magahis - Revision history

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