Displaced Toponyms, Disrupted Identities: Ethnography of Magar Place Names in the Siddhartha Highway Sector Butwal-Palpa Corridor

Abstract

Toponyms are more than geographic markers; they embody collective memory, cultural identity, and indigenous epistemologies. The translation of Magar toponyms into Nepali reflects a governance-driven politics of homogenization, where linguistic standardization functions as a subtle instrument of cultural erasure and identity reconfiguration. This paper critically examines the governance practices of place name translation/displacement along Nepal’s Siddhartha National Highway, focusing on the displacement of Magar language toponyms by so-called standardized Nepali forms. Employing an ethnographic approach, the study combines participant observation, archival mapping, and conversation analysis to document how translational governance reshapes the cultural landscape between the Butwal and Palpa corridor. Findings reveal that the renaming of Magar places undermines indigenous identity, weakens community ties to land, and perpetuates epistemic injustice. At the same time, local narratives of resistance highlight the enduring significance of indigenous naming practices as acts of cultural preservation and political assertion. By situating toponymic translation within broader debates on governance, identity, and social transformation in Nepal, the paper argues that naming practices are central to the politics of inclusion, recognition, and justice. It calls for a rethinking of governance frameworks to embrace toponymic justice, respect cultural diversity, and foster participatory approaches that honor indigenous epistemologies. Ultimately, the study demonstrates that renaming the land is inseparable from rewriting identity, with profound implications for decolonial governance and the resilience of marginalized communities.