Tamang
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The Tamang (also known as Murmi) are one of the several ethnic groups living in Nepal descended from Tibeto-Burman origins. The word Tamang may be derived from the Tibetan words "ta" and "mang", meaning horse and soldier respectively. Living mainly north and east of the country, they constitute 5.6% of Nepal's population, which places their population at 1,280,000, slightly higher than the Newars.Their language, also called Tamang is related to both Tibetan and Sherpa languages.
The name Tamang, normally it is Tamag in Tibetan, means horse warriors, Tamags were border police sent by king Trisong of Tibet around 755. They are also good mountaineers and trekking guides. Many of Tamang have been recruited to serve in Indian and British Gurkha regiments since British Raj.
The Tamang generally follow Tibetan Buddhism mixed with elements of the pre-Buddhist Bön and the Tambaist religion. Due to their proximity to the Newar, a slight Hindu influence can be seen in their practices. Their priests include Lamas, Bombos and Tambas. According to the 2001 census, 98.26% of the ethnic Tamang in Nepal were Buddhists and 2.69% were Hindus.[citation needed] The typical song and dance of the Tamangs is "tamang selo" in which they dance to the beat of a drum called "damphu." Damphu is the traditional drum of the Tamangs.
Many Tamang clans do not permit intermarriage with other ethnic groups, although some clans do permit intermarriages with the Gurung, Magar, Newar, and Sherpas. Their descent is traced patrilineally.
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