The Tamang are an ethnic group orginating in Nepal. Tamang people constitute 5.6% of the Nepalese population at over 1.3 million in 2001, increasing to 1,539,830 as of the 2011 census. Tamang people are also found in significant numbers in Indian state of Sikkim and districts of Darjeeling and Kalimpong in India, as permanent settlers. Tamang language is the fifth most spoken language in Nepal.
Etymology
Tamang may be derived from the wordTamang, where Ta means "horse" and Mag means war in Tibetan. However there are no written documentations of Horse Rider naming nor present Tamang people have horse riding culture.
Political participation
Tamangs are represented by Tamsaling Rastriya Mukti Morcha and Tamsaling Nepal Rastriya Dal. The umbrella group Mongol National Organisation supports self-determination and opposes discrimination, not just for Tamangs but for all groups in Nepal. The MNO is against conversion of non-Hindus to Hinduism. It currently holds no official parliamentary vote. The Federal Limbuwan State Council also works towards similar goals for self-determination for the Kirati peoples, who co-mingle with Tamangs, citing a reneged treaty with Kathmandu for autonomy. The associated Sanghiya Limbuwan Party has participated in calling banda during the 2015 Nepal blockade, but this did not attract the attention of the international press. In the 1980s, a violent Gorkhaland movement within India led by the prominent Tamang Subhas Ghising was viewed as a security threat due to the proximity of the Siliguri Corridor. Madan Tamang, a Tamang-Indian politician and proponent for Gorkhaland statehood, was assassinated in 2010, with the West Bengal government placing blame on another Gorkhaland political party, in effect weakening the movement. Gorkhaland Territorial Administration was created in place of statehood in India. In Nepal, ethnic discrimination issues regarding numerous groups have been left unresolved. In 2017 Binay Tamang was appointed as the Chairperson of GTA.
Culture
Tamang tradition and culture includes a distinct language, culture, dress and social structure. They have over 100 sub-clans. About 90% of the Tamang are Buddhist. Their language comes from the Tibeto-Burman language family. They follow the Chinese lunar calendar of the 12-year cycle. Colorful printed Buddhist mantra cloths are put up in various places in villages and towns. Their typical song and dance style is known as Tamang Selo, and includes songs of humor, satire, joy and sorrow. It has a brisk movement and rhythmic beat specific to the Tamangs. A distinctive musical instrument is the damphu, a small round drum covered with goatskin.
Festivals
Sonam Lhochhar is the main festival of the Tamangs and is celebrated in the month of Magh. It is celebrated to welcome the Tamang new year. The second most important festival is, a religious festival. Dashain and Tihar are also enthusiastically celebrated by Tamangs.
Livelihood
Most Tamangs are farmers. Due to the lack of irrigation at higher altitudes, their crops are often limited to corn, millet, wheat, barley, and potatoes. Also, Tamang farmers are dependent on rainfall and do not employ modern machinery. They often supplement their farming income with manual labour. Due to the discrimination experienced by the Tamang people in the past, they have remained on the whole poorly educated, and the majority have been limited to working as farmers, mountain trekking, portering, and driving in Kathmandu as well as serve British gurkha and indian Gorkha. They also work in the manufacture of Tibetan rugs, Thankas, driving and labour.
Trekking and tourism
Tamang villages are often visited on Nepal's numerous trekking routes, one being labelled Tamang Heritage Trail.
