Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Despite these traits, Nepalese have earned a worldwide reputa-
tion as fierce fighters. Many Nepalese arts and crafts provide a
revealing glimpse of religious life among Hindus, Buddhists,
and people of other cultural communities.
A DIVERSE PEOPLE
Nepal's human diversity can best be studied regionally. Simply
stated, people who remain geographically separated from one
another tend to retain their individuality. Mountains, valleys,
and the close proximity of other lands and peoples (e.g., China,
Tibet, and India) contribute to regional variations. Rural peo-
ple living traditional lifestyles, in particular, tend to retain their
folk customs and practices. In addition to isolation, marriage
between individuals of different castes is prohibited. This prac-
tice reinforces group differences, even within particular ethnic
groups. Kathmandu represents the best example of interaction
among diverse ethnic groups from all parts of the country.
The Mountain (Himalayan) Region
The people and cultureﾭincluding language, religion, and
lifestyleﾭof the northern mountain (Himalaya) region are
highly influenced by Tibetan origin and values. Most people
are migrants from Bhot (Tibet) and practice the Buddhist
faith. The major ethnic groups of the mountain region are the
Thakalis, Tamangs, and Sherpas.
Thakalis live along the Kaligandaki Valley in central Nepal.
They were once famous salt traders between India and Tibet.
Today, many of them run tourist hotels along the Jomsom and
Annapurna trek routes, and in the city of Pokhara. They origi-
nally were Buddhist, but today some follow Hinduism.
The word
Tamangs
literally means “horse soldier.” These
people live in the northern hills of the Kathmandu Valley,
and Tibetan culture has a strong influence in their daily life.
Tamangs are hard workers and very sober in their nature. Tra-
ditionally, most of them worked on farms. Recently, however,
