Reading Series II: Tamang Economy, Development and Politics

Reading Series II: Tamang Economy, Development and Politics

Learn about contemporary challenges of securing well-being and dignity

This is an introductory course on the Tamang economy, development and politics with a specific focus on Nepal. The course has three primary objectives; i) critically review selected literature on Tamang peoples, ii) develop understanding on various themes from insiders’ perspective using social science method and iii) find ways for contributing towards betterment of society and expanding knowledge.  The course is run in seminar format. The participants are required to read assigned articles/chapters in advance and contribute to the discussion in class. We read, share our understanding of reading, critique them, ask questions and find answers for deepen collective understanding, generate new knowledge and expand dialogue.  This course will be valuable to the people who are interested in learning about Tamang society as well as who would like to carry further research in the theme.

The course duration in 8 weeks starting from September 28, 2024. The classes are held for 2.5 hours on each Saturday from 7-9:30 am.

Course facilitators: Dr Sangram S. Blon Tamang and Sharmila Shyangtan Tamang

Venue: Online and 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 or further inquiry to email [email protected] by 22 September 2024.

The application form is available here.

Weekly Theme and Reading

A. Week 1 - 3 : Tamang Economy

Seminar I : Historical and Socio-Economic Contexts

Theme: Understanding the Historical Roots and Economic Strategies of the Tamang Community

This seminar explores the socio-economic foundations of the Tamang community, focusing on historical influences, labor dynamics, and economic strategies.

1. Campbell, B. (1993). The dynamics of cooperation: Households and economy in a Tamang Community of Nepal.[The heavy loads of Tamang identity(Chapter 2)]. (Doctoral Thesis). University of East Anglia.
2. Rai, D. R. (2011). Rajyale Tamang Jatilai Rojgar tatha Pesama Gareko Vived ra Shaikshik Avasthama Yasko Prabhav (in Nepali). Studies in Nepali History and Society (SINHAS) 16(1): 115–135.
3. O'Neill, T. (2004). Weaving wages, indebtedness, and remittances in the Nepalese carpet industry. Human Organization, 211-220.

Seminar II: Socio-Demographic Factors and Gendered Labor

             Theme: Exploring Socio-Demographic Changes, Mobility, and Gendered Economic Roles

This seminar delves into the socio-demographic makeup of the Tamang community and the gendered experiences that shape labor and mobility. 

1. Devries, S. M. (2012). Mobility Matters: Tamang Women's Gendered Experiences of Work, Labour Migration and Anti-Trafficking Discourses in Nepal (Masters dissertation, University of Guelph).
2. March, K. S. (1987). Hospitality, women, and the efficacy of beer. Food and Foodways, 1(4), 351-387.
3. Sapkota, B. N., Adhikari, G. P., &  Syangtan, P. (2023). Socio-Demography of Tamang Community in Nepal. Research Journal of Padmakanya Multiple Campus, 2(1), 1-10. 

Seminar III: Educational Barriers and Opportunities

Theme: Analyzing Educational Challenges and Future Economic Pathways

This seminar focuses on the educational experiences of Tamang children and youth, discussing how these experiences affect economic opportunities and community development. 

1. Acharya, L. (2017). The educational ceiling in a rural Tamang community in Nepal: An ethnographic study. Nepalese Journal of Development and Rural Studies, 14(1-2), 43-55.
2. Adhikari, S. (2020). Struggles of Tamang children in achieving elementary education. Siddhajyoti Interdisciplinary Journal, 1, 131-138.
3. Moktan, S. (2024).  डाब्जोङमा भाषा पाठशालाको स्थापना र शिक्षामा तामाङको पहुँँच (वि.सं. १९८६–२०१८). समाज अध्ययन, 19: 181-216.
    

            B. Week 4 - 6: Tamang Politics

Seminar IV: Political Rights and Identity Struggles

Theme: The Struggle for Political Rights and Recognition

This seminar examines the historical and contemporary struggles of the Tamang community for political rights, recognition, and representation in the context of Nepal's constitutional and federal framework. 

1. Tamang, M. S. (2022). Indigenous People’s Struggle for Political Rights and Recognition: Constitution-making and Federal Design. Reading Nepali transition (2006–2015), 163-194.
2. Lama, N. (2022) Tamang Identity: Historical Discrimination, Current Challenges, and Future Pathways. Tamang Journal. 

Seminar V: Ethnic Identity and Political Resistance

             Theme: Ethnic Identity, Resistance, and the State

This seminar delves into the dynamics of ethnic identity, state relations, and political resistance among the Tamang people, exploring how their identity influences their political engagement and resistance. 

1. Tamang, M. S. (2022). Nepal Central Highland: Resistance and the state. In Routledge Handbook of Highland Asia (pp. 169-181). Routledge.
2. Kukuczka, A. (2011). Negotiating ethnic identity in the Himalaya-the Tamang in Nepal. South Asia Chronicle, 1, 393-437.
3. Yonjan, T. A. (2024, May 15).  तामाङ सङ्घ संस्थाको इतिहास.Sailung Online. https://www.sailungonline.com/108827/15/05/2024/

Seminar VI:  Local Representation and Political Inclusion

            Theme: Local Political Representation and Inclusion

This seminar focuses on the Tamang community's political participation at the local level, exploring both their involvement and exclusion in local governance structures.

1. Tamang, P. (2017). Political Inclusion in Rasuwa. In Simkhada, D. Muluk ko Muhar. Himal Kitab Publications. 
2. Rai, J. K. (2023). Representing the Marginalized Tamang Community in BinaTheeng’s Yaambunera [Near Kathmandu]: A Hallian Analysis. Mindscape: A Journal of English & Cultural Studies, 2(1), 71-78.
3. Paudel, B., & Sapkota, K. P. (2018). Local levels in federalism: Constitutional provisions and the state of implementation. Swatantra Nagarik Sanjal, Kathmandu.
4. Tamang, M. (2022, May 29).  स्थानीय निर्वाचनमा तामाङ प्रतिनिधित्वको स्थिति र दायित्व https://www.sailungonline.com/87312/29/05/2022/

C. Week 7 & 8: Tamang Development

Seminar VII: Development and Indigenous Right 

Theme: The Intersection of Development, Rights, and Conservation

This seminar focuses on the relationship between development projects, indigenous rights, and biodiversity conservation, specifically how these dynamics impact the Tamang community.

1. Campbell, B. (2019). Indigenous views on the terms of participation in the development of biodiversity conservation in Nepal. In Investigating local knowledge (pp. 149-168). Routledge.
2. Syangtan, R. (2023, January 7). जंगल खोस्यो,  जमिन खोस्यो : अहिले बस्ती खोस्दै छ.Jhannaya .nayaparikadaily.
3. Rai, K.N. (2023). Free and Informed Consent of the Tamang Indigenous Peoples of Nepal. Lawyers’ Association for Human Rights of Nepalese Indigenous Peoples, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact and International Working Group for Indigenous Affairs. 

Seminar VIII: Development, Vulnerability, and Resilience

            Theme: Assessing Vulnerability and Building Resilience in Development Contexts

This seminar examines the Tamang community's experiences with development, vulnerability to natural disasters and climate change, and the role of traditional knowledge in fostering. resilience. 

1. गुरुङ, रुख । २०७७ । भूकम्पपछि रसुवामा राज्यको “रेस्पोन्स” ।समाज अध्ययन१५ : ३३–५८ ।
2. Dhital, A. P., Paudel, M., Karki, S., Kafle, S., Siwakoti, M., & Lamichhane, D. (2021). Traditional knowledge on use of medicinal plants by Tamang Community of Dolakha, Nepal. Journal of Plant Resources, 19(1), 192-203
3. Sujakhu, N. M., Ranjitkar, S., He, J., Schmidt-Vogt, D., Su, Y., & Xu, J. (2019). Assessing the livelihood vulnerability of rural indigenous households to climate changes in Central Nepal, Himalaya. Sustainability, 11(10), 2977.