Kanchanpur, Jan 17: The villages of the Tharu community in Kanchanpur district have initiated the process for selecting a Barghar, a community leader in the Tharu community. The members of the Tharu community are working for the selection of their Barghar, also known as Bhalmansa, after the celebration of the Maghi festival.
Barghar is tradition a widely practiced for generations in this community. It is a social leader selected annually to lead the Tharu community in various social and developmental activities and functions. In addition to Barghar, the Tharu settlements are selecting a Guruwa, a priest, his assistant called Kesauka and a messenger known as Chirakya.
“The best performers have a chance for the next term too. However, the community members choose a new face if the previous one was not preferred,” said Shov Khuna, a resident of Krishnapur Municipality-2 in Kanchanpur district.
He also shared that Barghar is often picked on the basis of consensus among community members.
Khuna mentioned that Barghar is highly regarded in the Tharu community as he is responsible for preserving traditional arts and cultures, and helps in implementing developmental activities.
“The people’s representatives develop plans and implement them by consulting the Barghar. Inviting Barghar and seeking their help for public participation and gathering is an old tradition,” said Chairman of Shuklaphanta Municipality-3, Narendra Prasad Chaudhary.
Dhan Bahadur Chaudhary, who was selected as Barghar for the Bani community in Krishnapur Municipality-2 two days ago, said he would work impartially since he was given the ‘responsibility by the villagers to establish a set of rules there and maintain system’.
He added that he would work to make arrangements for worship at shrines of deities, formation of musical teams, celebrations of social functions including weddings and so on.
As practiced, the members of the Tharu community, should abide by the decisions of Barghar and every household in the community should pay a certain amount of royalty or even foodstuffs to offer to Barghar.
The tradition of Barghar is widely exercised in the Tharu community in the districts of Banke, Bardiya, Dang, Kailali and Kanchanpur.
Likewise, some local governments have worked to make Barghar more systematic by making laws from their (rural) municipal assemblies.
