Maghee: A case study of indigenous tharu cultural heritage for democratic practice and STEM education

Despite cultural heritage being central to social well-being, community cohesion, sustainable growth, and knowledge within an indigenous community, a focus on tangible heritage leaves the intangible heritage out of the equation. Cultural heritage is central to understanding how indigenous knowledge, practices, values, and beliefs are preserved and sustained over time. This case study of Maghee, a Tharu cultural heritage in Nepal, explores the emic view of cultural heritage and demonstrates how this contributes to a better understanding of the sociocultural values of the Tharu community of Thakurdwara village. Focussing on STEM education and education in general, recommendations are made for integrating Maghee knowledge at the curricular and pedagogical levels. The co-authors argue that STEM education could be leveraged to bring local indigenous youths into the fold of finding and seeing heritage as a way to pursue their future careers in sustaining and preserving their local heritage for the future.