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 Gurung Ghatu Dance in Tamu Losar festival | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Manang, Parbat, Lamjung, Mustang, Gorkha, Kaski, Tanahun, Syangja and Dolpa | |
 Nepal | 543,790 (2021) |
 India | 139,000 (above) |
 United States | 17,000 |
 United Kingdom | 75,000 |
| Languages | |
| Nepali (Lingua Franca), Gurung (Tamu kyi, Manangi, Mustangi, Loki), Seke | |
| Religion | |
| Buddhism (62.72%), Hinduism (32.18%%), Bon (2.32%), Christianity (2.12%) | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Tibetan, Qiang, Tamang, Magar, Thakali, Sherpa | |
| Gurung people | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tibetan name | |||||
| Tibetan | ཏམུ | ||||
| |||||
Gurung (exonym; Nepali: गुरुङ) or Tamu (endonym; Gurung: རྟམུ) are a Indigenious people of Nepal living in the hills and mountains of Gandaki Province of Nepal. Among Nepal's various ethnic groups the Gurung people known as an ancient community, are typically found in hilly and mountainous regions and are considered to be descendants of the Gurkha. The Gurung people are a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group who trace their ancestry to the North in Tibet. They are one of the main Gurkha tribes. They believe that until the 15th century they were ruled by a Gurung king. Gurungs speak Tamu Kyi which is a Tibeto-Burman language derived from Sino-Tibetan language family, they have their own script called Kema Lipi though very few Gurung know about it, in recent time some Gurung organization are trying to revive Khema Lipi by teaching new generation, history and details related to their culture and tradition is passed on one generation to the other in oral form.
The majority of Gurung villages are found in the foothills of the Himalayas. The village of Lakpra, Barpak, Bhujung, sikcles, Ghandruk of Gandaki region apparently has a historical significance to the Gurungs. The Gurungs reside among the central hills at elevations ranging from 1,050 to 2,100 meters. Hence, it is only natural for Gurungs to inhabit the Annapurna region.
As mentioned before, it is believed that the Gurung people migrated from North. Their forefathers crossed Himilayan range before entering Nepal through Mustang. They arrived in Nepal before Buddhism spread to Tibet. Their religion combines Animistic rituals and Buddhist beliefs.
History
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The origin of the Gurung people can be traced back to Qiang people located in Qinghai, China. As a result of foreign and Korean Christian missionary activities, some Gurung people have also converted to Christianity.
After the end of the Anglo-Nepalese War and the signing of the Treaty of Sugauli in 1816, the British started recruiting soldiers into the British Army from the northern villages of Nepal. The majority of these soldiers come from four ethnic tribes one of which is the Gurung tribe.
To this day, Gurungs continue to be recruited in the British, Indian and Bruneian armies and the Singapore Police Force (under British supervision) as regular soldiers and police officers who retire after serving for anywhere from 15 to 35 years. Upon retiring, with the exception of India, the soldiers and police officers serving in the British and Bruneian armies and Singapore Police Force had to return to Nepal.
However, in 1999, the British government updated its policy under the original 1816 Treaty of Sugauli and allowed Gurkha British Army retirees to settle with their families in the United Kingdom. As a result, since the early 2000s, there have been a large migration of Gurungs from Nepal to England, Wales and Scotland. The number of British Gurkha citizens today totalled in the tens of thousands and is expected to increase.
Despite the Singaporean government relying on the British for recruitment of their Gurkha police officers, it has not updated its policy on the Treaty of Sugauli and continue to forcefully return the police retirees to Nepal despite the majority of their children being born and educated in Singapore.
In the last two decades, the majority of the children of these British, Indian, Bruneian and Singapore servicemen have become better educated. They have gone on to first study and then, work and settle in other Western nations.
The United States of America has seen a huge influx of Nepalese American Gurungs numbering in the thousands in the last two decades. Today Gurungs work in both blue and white collar jobs in the Western world. This number is expected to increase as an increasing number of young Gurungs leave Nepal in search of a better life due to the absence of good governance, massive corruption and lack of opportunities to improve their lives in Nepal since 1990.
The first Nepalese American to be appointed a judge is a granddaughter of a retired Gurkha Contingent Singapore Police Force inspector from Bhukha Deurali village, Parbat.
Genetics
Genetic analyses suggest that the Gurungs share ancestral ties with populations from regions in present-day China, particularly the Qiang people from Qinghai. This is supported by both genetic data and oral traditions. Tek Bahadur Gurung's doctoral research indicates that the Gurungs' ancestors migrated southward from the upper reaches of the Yellow River around 8,000 years ago, reaching the Yunnan area about 6,000 years ago, and eventually settling in present-day Nepal over 2,000 years ago.
The Gurungs' genetic makeup also shows affinities with other Himalayan and East Asian populations. Dermatoglyphic studies (analysis of fingerprint patterns) indicate similarities between the Gurungs and other Asiatic populations, especially those residing in the southern Himalayas.
Additionally, comparative analyses of oral traditions and genetic data suggest a connection between the Gurungs and the Naxi people of China, indicating shared ancestry and cultural linkages.
Geographical distribution
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At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, 798,658 people (2.97% of the population of Nepal) identified as Gurung. The proportions of Gurung people by province was as follows:
- Gandaki Province (11.4%)
- Bagmati Province (2.2%)
- Koshi Province (1.4%)
- Lumbini Province (0.9%)
- Karnali Province (0.7%)
- Sudurpashchim Province (0.2%)
- Madhesh Province (0.2%)
The proportions of Gurung people were higher than national average in the following districts:
- Manang (57.1%)
- Lamjung (31.4%)
- Mustang (20.1%)
- Gorkha (19.8%)
- Kaski (29.3%)
- Tanahun (11.6%)
- Syangja (9.0%)
- Dolpa (7.1%)
- Chitwan (6.8%)
- Dhading (5.6%)
- Sankhuwasabha (5.4%)
- Taplejung (4.6%)
- Parbat (3.7%)
- Rasuwa (3.1%)
- Tehrathum (2.9%)
- Ilam (2.9%)
- Nawalpur (2.9%)
- Kathmandu (2.6%)
- Rupandehi (2.0%).
Culture
Gurung people, also known as Tamu, are an indigenous ethnic group predominantly residing in the Annapurna region of central Nepal. They are renowned for their rich cultural heritage, which encompasses unique traditions, languages, and social practices.
Festivals
The Gurung community of Nepal celebrates several vibrant festivals that are integral to their cultural identity.
- Tamu Lhosar: Tamu Lhosar is the Gurung New Year, celebrated on the 15th of Poush in the Nepali calendar (December/January). This festival marks the beginning of the Tamu Sambat or Gurung calendar year. Celebrations include traditional dances, songs, and feasts, fostering community bonding and cultural expression.
- Sildo Thi-ba (Sildo or Sildo-Naldo): Sildo Thi-ba is a festival where the Gurung people honor and worship natural deities believed to protect their villages by bringing rice and rain. The term 'Sildo-Naldo' reflects this belief, with 'si' meaning rice grain, 'na' meaning rain, and 'Ido' translating to 'to do.' The festival involves rituals and offerings to these deities, emphasizing the community's deep connection with nature.
- Rodhi Gatherings: While not a festival in the traditional sense, Rodhi gatherings are communal events where Gurung villagers, especially the youth, come together to sing, dance, and socialize. These gatherings play a crucial role in preserving and transmitting cultural heritage and are often associated with festive occasions.
Traditional Attire
Gurung men traditionally wear a bhangra, a white cloth tied across the chest and open like a bag in the back, serving as a carrying pouch. This is paired with a kachhad, a short sarong or kilt-like garment wrapped around the waist.
Gurung women usually wear a maroon velvet ghalek (blouse) paired with a black or blue lungi (skirt). The ensemble is complemented by large gold earrings and necklaces made of turquoise and coral, signifying cultural identity and marital status.
In recent times, there are some challanges in the prevalence of traditional Gurung attire has diminished, especially among the younger generation, due to the influence of modern fashion trends and globalization. Efforts are being made by cultural organizations and community leaders to preserve and promote traditional dress, recognizing its importance in maintaining cultural heritage.
Music and Dance
Music and dance are integral to Gurung society for cultural expression.
- Dohori Songs: Dohori is a popular form of folk song performed in a duet between males and females, often during fairs and festivals. These songs involve playful, improvised exchanges that showcase wit and creativity, and are a staple in Gurung gatherings.
- Ghatu Dance: Ghatu is a traditional dance performed by young girls during the Baisakh Purnima festival. The dance narrates historical and mythological stories, with performers often entering a trance-like state. It is accompanied by songs and music, and is a significant aspect of Gurung cultural expression.
- Maruni Dance: Maruni is another traditional dance performed during festivals and special occasions. It involves vibrant costumes and is accompanied by traditional instruments, reflecting the joyous spirit of the community.
Religion
Further information: Gurung shamanism| Caste (jāt) | Traditional occupation | Clan titles (kul) or surnames (thar) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.
Four Clans (45%) |
Buddhist family and Buddhist monk | Tamu: Kle, Lam, Kon, and Lem Nepali: Ghale, Lama, Ghotaney and Lamichane |
Buddhist priests and family priests of mostly from Parbat, Lamjung and Tanahu. During the 13th Dalai Lama's visit to Nepal in the early 20th century, the then Rana rulers appointed the esteemed monk from the village of Bhuka Deurali in Parbat district, Kumbasing Gurung as the Buddhist community's representative for northwestern Nepal. Lama Gurung had previously studied together with the 13th Dalai Lama in Tibet. |
| 2.
Sixteen Clans (65%) |
Farmers and shepherd | Tamu: Pachyu, Ghyapri Nepali: Paju, Ghyabring |
Buddhist family from Syangja and Kaski |
As per the Nepali census approximately two thirds of Gurungs are Buddhists while one third are Hindus and around 5 % are Christian
Gurung Dharma include Bon Lam (Lama), Ghyabri (Ghyabring) and Pachyu (Paju). Lamas perform Buddhist rituals as needed, such as in birth, funeral, other family rituals (such as in Domang, Tharchang) and in Lhosar. Lamas perform Buddhist ceremonies primarily in Lamjung, Parbat, Kaski, Manang, Mustang, and elsewhere. Some Gurung villages have kept remnants of a pre-Buddhist form of the ‘Bon' religion, which flourished over two thousand years ago across much of Tibet and Western China. They have also kept aspects of an even older shamanic belief system that served as a counter to the Bon religion.
See also
- Gurung language
- Gurung (surname), a surname of many Gurung people
References
- National Statistics Office (2021). National Population and Housing Census 2021, Caste/Ethnicity Report. Government of Nepal (Report).
- "Rai-Peoplegrouporg".
- Central Bureau of Statistics (2014). Population monograph of Nepal (PDF) (Report). Vol. II page 56. Government of Nepal.
- Ragsdale, T.A. (1990). "Gurungs, Goorkhalis, Gurkhas: speculations on a Nepalese ethno-history" (PDF). Contributions to Nepalese Studies. 17 (1): 1–24.
- "Gurung – National Museum". Retrieved 2024-11-09.
- "The Gurungs". www.alanmacfarlane.com. Retrieved 2024-12-10.
- Central Bureau of Statistics (2014). Population monograph of Nepal (PDF) (Report). Vol. II. Government of Nepal.
- "Opinion | Tracing the origins of the Gurungs". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- Woolley, Veronica; Dennis, R.L.H.; Sunderland, E. (2008-09-02). "A Dermatoglyphic Study of the Gurungs, Mangars and Kirantis of Nepal". Human Heredity. 34 (3): 141–147. doi:10.1159/000153451. ISSN 0001-5652. PMID 6469260.
- "2011 Nepal Census, Social Characteristics Tables" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2023-03-14. Retrieved 2019-09-06.
- "About Gurung". TAMU SAMAJ UK. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- "What Makes the Tamu Lhosar Festival in Nepal Special?". Discovery World Trekking. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- "Gurung Traditional Dress – Los Angeles Gurung (Tamu) Society, Inc". Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- "Traditional Gurung attire at crossroads as modernity seeps in". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- "Gurung – National Museum". Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- "Ghatu Tradition of the Gurung People – Part 1". 2020-09-20. Retrieved 2024-12-21.
- Panta, Sangam (2018-01-01). "Gurung Music of Ghyachchok - Sangam Panta".
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - https://nepal.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/Population%20Monograph%20V02.pdf
- von Fürer-Haimendorf, Christoph (1985). Tribal populations and cultures of the Christianity from Thai. Vol. 2. Brill Publishers. pp. 137–8. ISBN 90-04-07120-2. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- Macfarlane, A. 1976. Resources and Population: A Study of the Gurungs of Nepa1. New York, and Melbourne: Cambridge University Press Cambridge, London.
Further reading
- P. T. Sherpa Kerung, Susan Höivik (2002). Nepal, the Living Heritage: Environment and Culture. University of Michigan: Kathmandu Environmental Education Project.
- William Brook Northey (1998). The Land of the Gurkhas, or, The Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal. Asian Educational Services. ISBN 81-206-1329-5.
- Murārīprasāda Regmī (1990). The Gurungs, Thunder of Himal: A Cross Cultural Study of a Nepalese Ethnic Group. University of Michigan: Nirala Publications.
External links
- Gurung, Harka (1996-01-10). "Ethnic Demography of Nepal". Nepal Democracy. Archived from the original on 2011-04-17. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
- "Gurung". Britannica Student Encyclopedia online. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
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