Gurung

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The Gurung is an ethnic group from the Central region of Nepal. They live primarily in West Nepal’s Gandaki zone, specifically Lamjung, Kaski, Tanahu, Gorkha, Parbat, district as well as the Manang district around the Annapurna mountain range. Some live in the Baglung, Okhaldhunga and Taplejung districts and Machhapuchhre as well. Small numbers are believed to be living in Sikkim or Bhutan.

As of 2001, there are 543,571 Gurung (Τemü) (2.39% of Nepal's total population) of which 338,925 speak Temü-Tan.

1 Origin
2 Lifestyle
3 Religion
4 References
5 External Links
6 Notes

[edit] Origin

The Gurung believed that Lamjung, Kashki and Gorkha are the birth places of their community.

Some anthropologists deduced that the Gurung, tamu(temu) are descended from the historical pre-Mongol, Hun people of Central Asia, and spread and settled in Nepal they came to be known as Gurung. Others argued that they are of more recent Mongol migrations.

"Pye-tan-lhu-tan" is the sacred scripture of the Gurung, which contain oral accounts of their traditional history.

[edit] Lifestyle

Their traditional occupation was based on sheep herding and trans-Himalayan trade. In the 19th and early 20th century, many Gurung were recruited to serve in the British and Indian Gurkha regiments. Today, the Singapore Police, Brunei reserve units and the French Foreign Legion incorporate ethnically Gurung members. While serving in the British Army they have earned more than 6 Victoria's Cross awards. Gurungs are not only restricted to military occupations, many live in urban areas and are employed in all types of labor, business and professional services.

Gurungs trace their descent patrilineally, organized into two groups, or moieties of patrilineal clans.

A noted Gurung tradition is the institution of Rodhi where teenagers form fictive kinship bonds and become Rodhi members to socialize, perform communal tasks, and find marriage partners.

[edit] Religion

The Gurung were followers of Bön shamanism. Tibetan Buddhism was later introduced to the Gurung. Today, the majority of the Gurung are followers of Tibetan Buddhism, especially those who live near the Buddhists. The influence of Bön shamanism is strong among many Gurung.

Hindu influence from the Nepali led to many Gurung practicing Tibetan Buddhism with influences from Hinduism as well as Bön. Pockets of Gurung who live among the Hindus have converted to Hinduism.

They are divided in two division 4 casts and 16 casts. Most of the Gurung still retain maintain household, village and regional priests, known as Pajyu, Ghyabri and Lama.