Tamang New Year (Lochhar)

Tamang are very rich in their tradition and culture. They have their own language, culture, dresses and social structure. Tamang generally believes in Buddhism. It is said 90% of Tamang are following Buddism as their religion. Tamang language is one of the members of Tibaten Burmeli family.

The Tamangs have their own music. Their musical instrument is called Damphu. It is a small round drum where one side of the circular wood is covered by the skin of a goat and is joined with thirty two small bamboo pencil-like pieces.

It is said long back, Tamang used to move from places to places for food and shelters. They live on wild fruits, yams and animals’ meat. They used to hunt for the food all day long and share food with the people living together in the temporary shelters. Once it happened, a leader of a group named Peng Dorjay went for hunting food along with some members, they were empty hands throughout the day. In the evening they were returning back home without food, the leader saw a goat grazing on a high cliff. He aimed his arrow at the goat and killed the goat. He skinned off the goat and dried the skin on the under the sun. As soon the skin went dry, he made a small, round drum and started playing it, thanking God for food. The same drum is called Damphu.

Tamang songs are known as Tamang selo. There are songs of humor and wit, philosophical thoughts, and of life's joys and sorrows. Tamang Selo has transcended the boundaries of linguistic, cultural and social limits. Tamang Selo music is one of the very popular Nepali music through Nepal.

Tamangs are playing damfu during tamang culture

Celebrating tamang culture.
Tamang girls in tamang dress in Lochhar

This traditional Tamang dance was performed as part of a promotion of the heritage trip in the area. Conservation of traditions such as this, while still avoiding the commodification of culture is a big challenge. Question is: should they be performing this traditional dance in front of oogling tourists for money? The dances actually have a purpose and timing....

Tamang Mother and Kid

The name Tamang, normally it is Tamag in Tibetan, means horse warriors, Tamags were border police sent by king Trisong of Tibet around 755. They are also good mountaineers and trekking guides. Many of Tamang have been recruited to serve in Indian and British Gurkha regiments since British Raj.