The Bhojpuri region (Nepali: भोजपुरी भाषी क्षेत्र; Hindi: भोजपुरी क्षेत्र; Urdu: بھوجپري علاقے) is an area encompassing parts of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in northern India and the Bara and Parsa districts of Nepal where Bhojpuri language is spoken as a mother tongue language. Ujjainiya Rajputs of the former Shahabad district of ancient Bihar established their headquarters in the town of Arrah, Bhojpur district from where the whole region received its name. Bhojpuri is also spoken in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Suriname, Jamaica, the Caribbean, Fiji, Mauritius, and South Africa. It is one of the national languages of Nepal and is recognized in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Mauritius, and Suriname. It is an official language of Fiji. The variant of Bhojpuri of the Indo-Caribbeans in the Caribbean (Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, and other parts of the Caribbean) is referred to as Caribbean Hindustani. In Mauritius a dialect of Bhojpuri remains in use, and it is locally called Bojpury. In Fiji the variant of Bhojpuri is Fiji Hindi. There is also a variant of Bhojpuri that is also spoke in South Africa.
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Language
Bhojpuri, a variant of Eastern Hindi, is chiefly spoken in this region, along with Nepali, Hindi or Urdu.
Culture
Culture of Bhojpuri region is a part of Nepalese culture and India's North-Central Cultural Zone akin to rest of North India. Bhojpuri region is one of the most ancient regions of North India and Nepal and enjoys a rich heritage and culture, particularly because of its association with cities like Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Gazzipur, Mirzapur, Sasaram, Rohtas,Chhapra,Arrah,Buxer,Balia etc. However, the economic and industrial growth of this region had been greatly hindered because of caste-guided political in-fighting and a huge population.
Festivals
Among the major festivals celebrated are Chhath Puja, Tihar or Diwali, Dashain, Hori (Paguwa), Navraat, Dasahara, Ramnavami, Shivraat, Sekraat (Khichdi), Eid, Bakrid, Muharram, Easter, Bara din (Big day), Naya saal (New year) and many other festivals.
Traditional attire
Traditional dresses for men are dhoti-kurta or kurta-payjama with a headgear turban (pagri) and for women, it is lehnga/ghaghra choli (historical), often worn during regional folk dances, celebrations or wedding, however most of the women wear saree or kameez-salwar and men prefer western dress like shirt, pants, T-shirt and denim etc. In urban regions, women especially girls prefer wearing western outfits, whereas in rural regions, women are supposed to be in ghoonghat by using a dupatta (odhani) or pallu (loose end of a saree).
During winter, both men and women cover their body with a shaal and many warm clothes. Women cover their head and body with the shawl.
Ornaments include anguthi (ring) and kada/bera (a thick metallic bracelet) for men and for women, mangteeka (worn over the parting line of hair), bangles (kangan), chain (includes mangalsutra and jiutiya), and hansuli (a big and very thick metallic circular ring worn on the neck by older women).
Folk songs
Kajri, Barahmasi, Chaumas, Chaiti, Chautal, Hori (Phagua), Sawani, Chhath geet, Thumari, Kahrava, Birha, Kawwali, Alha, Nirgun, Kirtan, Jogia, Bhajan, Kavi sammelan, Musayara.
Folk dances
Dances of the Bhojpuri region include Nautanki, Dakdhin Nepal nach, Kathak, Ramlila, Krishnalila, Bandar and Bhalu dance, Kaharwa dance, Dhobiya dance, Thumka, Kirtan dance and Ahirwa dance.
Ethnic groups
Major ethnic groups include Kushwaha(Koeri), Kurmi, Yadav, Nishad, Kewat, Brahmin, Jatt, Rajput, Yadava, Ahir, Dusadh, Bhumihar, Pathan, Rajbhar and Teli.
Popular regional sports
Cuisine
Bhojpuri cuisine is a part of North Indian and Nepalese cuisine. It is a style of food preparation common amongst the Bhojpuri people living in Bihar and Purvanchal. Generally Bhojpuri peoples enjoy eating both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Bhojpuri cuisine is heavily influenced by Mughlai and its neighbouring Awadhi cuisines.
Popular dishes include litti chokha, mal pua during religious festivals, and dahi chura.
Districts
Bhojpuri language is spoken in the districts of Western Bihar, Eastern Uttar Pradesh which is called Purvanchal and middle Terai region, (Pashchimanchal and Madhyamanchal, Purbanchal) of Nepal.