Reading Series I: Tamang History, Society and Culture
Reading Series I: Tamang History Society and Culture
Explore the unsung history and intricacies of Tamang society and culture
This is an introductory course on the Tamang History, culture and society specifically focusing on Nepal. The course has three primary objectives: i) critically review selected literature on Tamang peoples, ii) develop an understanding of various themes from an insider’s perspective using the social science method, and iii) find ways to contribute towards the expand knowledge.
In this reading series, the participants are required to read assigned articles/chapters in advance and contribute to the discussion in seminar. We read, share our understanding of reading, critique them, ask questions and find answers to deepen collective understanding, generate new knowledge and expand dialogue. This course will be valuable to people who are interested in learning about Tamang society as well as who would like to carry out further research on the theme.
The course duration is 12 weeks, starting from June 1, 2024. The classes are held for 2.5 hours on each Saturday from 7-9:30 am.
Course facilitators: Dr. Mukta S. Lama and Sanjila Moktan
Venue: Tamang Adhyayan Pratisthan Seminar Hall, Baudha, Kathmandu.
Course Fee: NRs. 5,000 (Waiver available for needy)
Eligibility: a) Bachelor's and above level education and b) who can attend the regular classes and complete assignments.
Interested applicants should send their application to email [email protected] by 25 May 2024.
The application form is available here.
Weekly Theme and Reading
Seminar I: Who are Indigenous Tamangs?
Lama Pakhrin, Santa Bir, 1957. Tamba Kaiten Whai Rimthim. Silgadhi: IB Lama.
Sharma, Janak Lal 2039 VS. Nepalko Tamang Samaj. IN Samro Samaj Ek Adhyayan. Lalitpur: Sajha Prakashan, Pp. 314-334.
Bista, Dor Bahadur, 1967. Tamang. In The People of Nepal. Kathmnaud: HMG Nepal. Pp. 48-56.
Seminar II: Tamang history and identity
Fürer-Haimendorf, C. v. (1956). "Ethnographic Notes on Tamangs of Nepal." Eastern Anthropologist 9(3-4): 166-77.
Holmberg, David. (1989). Order in Paradox: Myth, Ritual, and Exchange among Nepal’s Tamang. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press. Chapter 2 Tamang Comparatively Reconstructed, pp.11-34
Lama, K. (2022). The Tamangness as a Cultural Trope: A Rhetorical Analysis of Works by the Tamang Poets. SCHOLARS: Journal of Arts &Amp; Humanities, 4(1), 65–76.
Seminar III: Tamang relation with Tibet
Macdonald, Alexander W. 1989. Notes on the language, literature and cultural identity of the Tamang. Kailash 15(3-4):165-177.
Tenzin, Acharya Kirti Tulku Lobsang and K. Dhondup 1982. Early Relations between Tibbet and Nepal (7th to 8th Centuries) The Tibet Journal, 7(1/2):83-86.
Samuels, Jonathan 2016. “Are We Legend? Reconsidering Clan in Tibet,” Revue d’Etudes Tibétaines, no. 37, pp. 293–314.
Tamang, MS. 2019. Southern Himalaya and Northern links: A Note in Tamang history. Paper submitted for CASS Forum & the 3rd International Symposium on Himalayan Regional Studies, June 8-10, 2019, Kathmandu, organized by The Institute of Ethnology & Anthropology (IEA) of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), and the Nepal-China Kailash Culture Promotion Development Association.
Seminar IV: Social Organization
Tamang, M. S. (2017). Tamang Clan and Social Organization. In L.P. Uprety, B. Pokharel & S. Dhakal (eds.). Kinship Studies in Nepali Anthropology. Kathmandu: Central Department of Anthropology, Tribhuvan University, pp. 29-241.
Campbell, B 1994. Forms of Cooperation in a Tamang Community. In Michael Allens ed. Anthropology of Nepal. Kathmandu: Mandala Book Point. Pp. 3-18.
Parajuli, Mahesh Nath, Indra Mani Rai, Prakash C Bhattarai and Suresh Gautam. 2019. Local Values in Governance: Legacy of Choho in Forest and School Management in a Tamang Community in Nepal. Journal of Indigenous Social Development. 2019. 8(1): 35-55.
तामाङ,मुक्त सिंह (२०८०),तामाङसमुदायमाकिनस्वीकारिन्छमामा-फुपूकाछोराछोरीसँगबिहे? यस्तो वैवाहिक सम्बन्धबारे स्वास्थ्य विज्ञानले के भन्छ? सेतोपाटि,भदौ ३, २०८०
Seminar V: Religion and Spirituality
Holmberg, D. H. (1984) "Ritual Paradoxes in Nepal: Comparative Perspectives on Tamang Religion." Journal of Asian Studies 43.4 (August): 697-722.
Gole, KR. 2009. Tamang Samajma Bonbo Parampara. Tamang Journal 1(1):62-106. Kathmandu: Tamang Pragya Sabha.
Tamang, MS. 2068 VS. Tamang Samajma Bauddha Dharma. Stupa Daimasik, Buddhapath, Nepal.
Hofer, Andras 1986. Wieso hinduisieren sich die Tamang? (Why do the Tamang become Hindu?) Nepalica.
Fricke, Tom. 2008. Tamang Conversion: Culture, Politics and the Christian Conversion Narrative in Nepal. Contributions to Nepatese Studies, 35(1):35-62.
Seminar VI: Tamang Shamanism
Hofer, Andras. 1993. Some Hyperpragmatic Patterns in Tamang Shamanic Recitations, Nepal Shaman, 1(1-2):41-52.
Holmberg, D. 2006 “Transcendence, Power, and Regeneration in Tamang Shamanic Practice.” Critique of Anthropology 26.1:87-101.
Peters, L. 1978. Psychotheray in Tamang Shamanism. Ethos, Pp. 63-91.
Seminar VII: Culture and Traditions
Tamang, Rabindra. 2054 VS. Tamang Rimthim. Kathmandu: Self.
तामाङ, रामसिंह (२०७३ वि. सं.), उत्तरी धादिङको तामाङ संस्कृति । धादिङ: आदिवासी जनजाति समन्वय समिति, जिविस ।
तामाङ-बल, प्रताप (२०७३ वि. सं.), दोर्जेलिङला तामाङ रिमठिम । दार्जिर्लिङ: पश्चिम बंगाल तामाङ डेभल्पम्न्ट एण्ड कल्चरल बोर्ड ।
Seminar VIII: Festival and Ceremonies
Holmberg, D.H. 2016. Tamang Lhochar and the New Nepal. In David Gellner, Sondra L. Hausner and Chiara Letizia eds. Religion, Secularism, and ethnicity in Contemporary Nepal. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
Taustcher, G. 2007. Himalayan Mountain Cultus: Silung, Kalinchok and Gosaikunda. Territorial Rituals and Tamang histories. Kathmandu: Vajra Publications. Territorial Gods
Tamang, MS. 2066 VS. Ghewa: Tamang Bauddha Mrityu Sanskar. Tamang Journal 1(1):107-116. Kathmandu: Tamang Pragya Sabha.
Seminar IX: Oral Tradition and Performing Art
तामाङ, मुक्त सिंह र थुप्तेन ग्याल्छेन लामा,(२०६२ वि. सं.) जिक्तेन तामछ्योइ । । काठमाडौं: तामाङ अनुसन्धान केन्द्र ।
मोक्तान, धावा वाङ्गेल (२०७५ वि. सं.) ताम्बाला काइरन । काठमाडौं: एससिआरसि ।
Yonjan-Tamang, A. et al. 2074 VS. Nepal ka Lok Pradashankari kala, Pradeshik Anusandhan, Pradesh 3. (Tamang Section). Kathmandu: Nepal Sangit tatha Natya Pragya Pratisthan.
वाइबा, तुलसा (२०६६), तामाङ सेलो: वर्गीकरण र विष्लेषण, तामाङ जर्नल, वर्ष १, अङ्क १ । , पृ. १५४–१६७ ।
Seminar X: Tamang Women
योन्जन-तामाङ, अमृत । २०७३ । उज्यालो यात्रामा तामाङ महिला । काठमाडौँः गान्बा प्रकाशन ।
March, Kathryn S. (1984). Weaving, writing and gender. Man 18:729-744.
March, Kathryn S. (1987). Hospitality, Women, and the Efficacy of Beer. Food and Foodways.
March, Kathryn S. What can be learned from indigenous women in Nepal?
Seminar XI: Colonization and Labor
Tamang, Parshuram 1992. Tamang Under the Shadow. Himal, May/June, 1992: 25-27.
Holmberg, D. H. 1999 “Local Production/Local Knowledge: Forced Labour from Below.” (co-authored with Kathryn March and Suryaman Tamang). Studies in Nepali History and Society 4.1:5-64.
Tom, O. N. (2004). "Weaving Wages, Indebtedness, and Remittances in the Nepalese Carpet Industry." Human Organization 63(2): 211.
March, Kathryn, 2014 The impact of men's wage migration on women farmers in Nepal; redefining Tamang men's and women's honor
Seminar XII: Social Change
Holmberg, D. H. 1996 “Introduction to South Asian Edition.” In Order in Paradox: Myth, Ritual, and Exchange among Nepal’s Tamang (South Asian Edition): ix-xi. New Delhi: Motilal Banarsidas.
Tamang, M.S. 2009 Tamang Activism, History and Territorial Consciousness. In D. N. Gellner (Ed.), Ethnic activism and civil society in South Asia (pp. 269-290). New Delhi; London: SAGE.
