LANGTANG TREK. 4,600m Closer to the Sky

Langtang is an area that belongs to the central region of Nepal, about 8 hours by Jeep from Kathmandu. We started our trek at Dunche, 2,000m above the sea level. On the second day we reach the Langtang pass at 4,600m. The video images belong to the second day, just before reaching the pass.

The area in inhabited by Tamangs and to a lesser extent by Sherpas. The tamang people represent 4% of the Nepalese population. They are believed to have come from Tibet, possibly around 3000 years ago.

The Tamang people were self-ruled and autonomous until 232 years ago. After the unification of Nepal, they were neither accepted into government posts, whether administrative, judicial or political, nor allowed to accept foreign employment till 1950. They were forced to serve as a reserve labour pool for the services of the ruling group.

According to the Nepali civil code of 1856, their status was Shudra (the second lowest rank in the Hindu hierarchical system), which meant that they could be killed and enslaved by those of a higher caste. This situation prevailed until the new civil code was formulated in 1962. Much of their land was redistributed and this poverty and lack of a voice within Nepal remains a serious issue in modern Nepal.

Tamangs generally follow a form of Tibetan Buddhism, speak a language derived from Tibetan-Barmeli and their culture is almost identical to that of Tibet. Tamangs are divided into 240 families but have no class or social status differentiations based upon the family groups. Every family has clans (Swagen Bhai). Marriage between their clans is restricted by Tamang traditions.

Photo: A Tamang.