NEWAR

people of mixed descent who comprise about half the population of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. They speak a language belonging to the Tibeto-Burman family, but their culture has been strongly influenced by Indian religious and social institutions. The Newar population of Nepal is estimated to be about 540,000. Most of the Newar are Hindus, but some practice an Indian form of Buddhism. There are about 70 castes, Buddhist as well as Hindu, covering approximately the same spectrum as the caste system of India; they include the Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaisya, and Sudra varnas as well as numerous groups of untouchables. The Newar have a wide range of occupations. Many are farmers; others are prominent in the retail trades; and some occupy high political and administrative posts. They have traditionally been noted as architects and artisans, the builders of the famous temples and shrines of Kathmandu. From the 10th to the 16th century painting and sculpture flourished among the Newar, along with crafts such as pottery making, papermaking, wood carving, and metallurgy. Each of the crafts has traditionally been the specialty of a particular caste.