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| Tamang womans |
The word ‘Tamang’ belongs to an ethnic indigenous people group of Nepal. Literally it has two meanings ‘Ta’-Horse and ‘Mang’- Worriers/Combatants. That means they were the horse riding worriers. According to the history, our ancestors were the worriers from Tibbet. They came to this land and made their habitats. Large numbers of Tamang people live in the middle hilly region to Himalayan range (200 to 2700 meter from sea level) of Nepal including Capital city Kathmandu. The land of Tamang is known as ‘Tamsaling(Tamang Yul)’. Ten districts of Nepal are claimed to be ‘Tamasaling(Tamang Yul)’ they are Rasuwa, Nuwakkot, Dhading, Makawanpur, Chitwan, Sindhupalchok, Kavrepalanchok, Dolakha, Ramechhap and Sindhuli respectively. As well as they live all over the country and migrated to eastern India (Darjeling, Sikkim, Meghalaya, Asam, Nagaland, Gohati, etc.), Bhutan and Burma.
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| Damphu |
Tamangs have their own history, religion, culture, costume and living style (social structure) which make them different from others. Tamangs are followers of Buddhism (Tibbetan Buddhism). We go to Gompa (Monastery), Chhyorten (Stupa) for practicing Buddhism. We believe in Nature worshiping too (i.e. Bon religion). So we can see that these both religions are existing in Tamang society. Tamang language is one of the members of Tibeto-Burman family. We use Tibbetan (it is also know as Tamhig) script for writing. We have our own social structure. As we are Buddhist and Buddhism means equality. So there is no discrimination in gender, cast, and living standers in Tamang society. Everyone should equally involve in each and every social happenings.
There are different roles and responsibilities divided to the people in Tamang society. These are the distinct and unique factors of Tamang community. Tamba,Ganba, Lama, Choho, Laptaba and Bonbo are the highly appreciated and responsible persons of our community. They have to maintain different roles and responsibilities according to their post given by the society. Our ancestors have kept alive our history and civilization transferring these to new generations. Tamangs are fun loving people. They sing and dance in each and every events of their society.
Damphu, Tungna (Damhyan), Nharol, etc are the popular musical instruments of Tamang. Tamang Selo is the most preferred genre in music scenario. Selo, Mhendomaya, Saikole, Mhane etc are the dances and songs of Tamang. We perform these dances and songs in different occasions. Losar/Lhochhar is the biggest festival of Tamang community. This is the New Year of Lunar calendar. A circle of twelve animals are known as Lhokhorlo (year circle). The animals of Lhokhorlo represent years. Nhya (full moon) are special for us. Buddha Nhya (Buddha’s birth day/as Buddha was born on full moon), Gonhya etc.
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| Tamang boys with Damngyan(jTungna) |
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| Tamang womans with Pong |
More than 150 casts are found in Tamang community. They have different names such as ‘Ghising’, ‘Thokar’, ‘Gole’, ‘Bomjan’ etc. These every casts have chain of Swage ( Swage is like brother and sisters, we are not allowed to marry with Swage casts). To be specific I’ll give you an example: I am from Tamang community and my cast is Ghising. Lo, Glan and Ghising are Swage casts. They can not marry each other. Because they are swage casts. Likewise all other casts have their own chain of swage casts. We can marry with maternal uncle/auntie’s son/daughter. This is our culture and own style of living. These show that how Tamang community is different from others. If you visit Tamang villages you will feel loyal, welcoming and friendliness nature of Tamang people. It feels really nice to say that Tamang people never have any foods before serving all members joining the meal. We do Lhasso (greeting) before having meal. Then start having meal together. It indicates the distinct culture and civilization of Tamang community that is caring and respecting other people.
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| My sisters in Tamang dress |
But the people group having this much unique culture and strong social foundation was captured by new comers (Khas) by a clumsy game. Then our Dark era was begun. Our ancestors were kept under the foot of rulers of this nation. They lost their land. They were forced to change/leave their religion, own rituals and celebrations. Because of lack of education and skill maximum numbers of Tamang people are economically not so good. Our ancestors were strictly prohibited to write Tamang. So called rulers of this country used to call us ‘Bhote’, ‘Murmi’. These words used for humiliating us. Tamangs were categorized as potter. Tamangs were prohibited to gain education, join job in any governmental offices. They were totally bypassed from main stream of the nation. However our ancestors never gave up and continued to preserve our identity. As the result of our ancestor’s struggle we can proudly say that we are Tamang. This is Democratic (Lokatantrik) country now. Federalism with Ethnicity is agenda of indigenous people of this country. We all Tamang people should be together and fulfill our responsibilities for our land “Tamsaling(Tamang Yul)”.
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| Lochhar festival in Kathmandu |
