ORIGIN:
The Gurungs are one of the many ethnic groups mostly living in Nepal which is located in southeastern Asia between China and India with Tibet to the north. The Gurungs first settled in the Himalayan region at a place known as Khhol at an altitude of 3,500 meters above sea level. Later, the agriculturalists Gurungs soon migrated to the lower regions of the country. Due of their strong physical features and well-known endurance to the high plains of Nepal, they were recruited by the British and Indian armies. These soldiers were known as Gurkhas. The most notable feature of the Gurkhan army is their knife called a Khukuri. Gurungs are well known in Nepal as well as around the world for their bravery and for their cheerful nature.
Bernard Pignede’s book "The Gurung" is considered to be the most commended piece of work on Gurung. He writes in his book that, "The Tamu (Gurung) Pye refers to the very beginning of civilization, more than eight or nine thousand years ago. They tell the origin of human beings and of the materials that they used. Tamu Priests still use some of these primitive utensils in their rituals."
LANGUAGES:
Gurungs have their own mother tongue called Tamu Kai, which is similar to Tibetan. Most of the Gurungs still converse in that language. Gurungs do not possess any written historical records. Whatever we know today is being conveyed through oral tradition.
ARTS AND MUSIC:
Gurungs are usually pretty fun to go along with. They lead a very simple life and enjoy every moment of it. They are not famous for any art work that could distinguish them from others. They are usually good at producing baskets and blankets. Their chief occupation is agriculture while some also breed animals. They have their own unique music and dances. They have their own style called Rodhi (similar to modern discoes) where young men and women meet for entertainment. The most famous dances are Chudka and Ghatu that can either be performed solo or in a group.
RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE:
Religion holds a lot of influence among Gurungs. Historically, they are the devotee of Shamanism or Bon (advanced form of animism) religion. There is no known date for the origin of this religion. Today, they do not fully observe a particular religion. Instead, their religious beliefs are very much influenced by different religions, dominantly Buddhism and Hinduism. They practice some of the same canons of Buddhism and Hinduism like karma. At the same time, they also possess their own set of beliefs which dates back to even pre-Buddha period. They consider their surroundings to be occupied by supernatural living beings. Although, many Gurungs believe in Hindu gods and Bhudda, but some of them also worship their own deities that are supposed to be powerful enough to control their surroundings.
Bernard Pignede brought forward a very interesting fact about the Gurungs in his research. He wrote, “In Tamu tradition, as they migrated from one site to another, they would call the new site by the old name if it was similar in aspect. Tamu Pye tells that the soul of a dead person is believed to go first to Koko-limar-tso, which is under water.
GURUNG'S TODAY:
At the present time, Gurungs are scattered all over Nepal with most of them living in the Gandaki region of Western Nepal and around the Annapurna mountain range. A few of the Gurungs are also believed to be living in Bhutan as well as in the Indian state of Sikkim and West Bengal. Gurungs make up 2.4 % of Nepal's total population, roughly around 686,000.
Though this page has been carefully researched, the author does not claim expertise on Gurungs.Please send questions, comments, and corrections to emuseum@mnsu.edu and include the URL of this page.If you are somehow related to Gurung's culture, your feedback is much appreciated.
Rotto, Rich
1997 Gurung People. Electronic document, http://internet.cybermesa.com/~rotto/gurung.html, accessed July 31, 2009.
Yetizone Guidebooks
2005 The Gurungs. Electronic document, http://www.yetizone.com/the_gurungs.htm, accessed July 31, 2009.
Best Cyber Zone
2006 Introduction of Gurung Culture. Electronic Document, http://www.bestcyberzone.com/nepaliarticles/index.php?a=articles&p=12, accessed July 31, 2009.
Pignede, Bernard
1993 The Gurung: A Himalayan population of Nepal. Ratna Pustak Bhandar, Khatmandu, Nepal.
Written By
Salman Hakim, 2009.