Languages · Profile
नेपाल भाषा
Nepal Bhasa (Newar)
The language of the Newar civilisation that built the temples, courtyards and festivals of the Kathmandu Valley, with written records going back more than eight centuries.
863,380
mother tongue speakers in Nepal (2021 census)
2.96%
of Nepal's population
Tibeto-Burman
language family
Ranjana, Prachalit, Devanagari
script
In Nepal
Where it is spoken
Classical and literary language of the Kathmandu Valley
The Kathmandu Valley (Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur) and historic Newar towns such as Bandipur, Dolakha, Palpa and Bhojpur.
BagmatiGandakiLumbiniKoshi
Beyond Nepal
Who else speaks it
- India: Communities in Sikkim and Darjeeling
- Diaspora: Newar communities worldwide
The Dehat
Our work in Nepal Bhasa
Cultural content, oral history and arts coverage of the Kathmandu Valley.
Speak Nepal Bhasa, or know someone who does? We want to hear your stories.
ContributeSources: National Population and Housing Census 2021, Nepal (mother tongue); Census of India 2011. Figures for small and endangered languages are estimates.