Posted by: JPEG June 18, 2009
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Thakali nis beauty.
The emergence of name Thakali is relatively new. The name Thakali start to appear in the
beginning of the twelfth century. It is no doubt that Thakali migrated from the Tibetan plateau along with Lepcha, Sherpas, Tamang, Yolmo people. The History of the Kirat People states that the origin of the Kirat viz Tibeto-Burmese people can be traced back in combination of three races known by the names of Khambongbas(Khambos), the Tangsangthas(Mongols) and the Munaphens(Chinese). The Khambos were the first immigrants to this Himalayan region. The Tangsangthas and the Munaphens people came in later periods and intermingled with the Khambos to form a bigger human race. Scholar H.C. Ray Chowdhary(The Political History of Ancient India) states "In India, Kirat people occupied the regions from Himachal Pradesh to Assam in the north and from Manipur to
Chittangong in south-east." His work is compiled in the history of the Kirat people.
The stronghold of the Thakalis is Thak Khola in Mustang District. They have their own language, which belongs to the Tibeto-Burman family, and is similar to Gurung (Tamu) and Tamang languages. Thakalis have four major clans - Chhyoki (Gauchan), Salki (Tulachan), Dhimchen (Sherchan), and Bhurki (Bhattachan) - Lha Phewa is a major festival of the Thakalis, which is renowned as a 12-year cyclic fair. Thakalis adhere both to Bon and Buddhism. Their Toranlha festival coincides with the Fagu Purnima. hakalis have a language of their own. It belongs to the Tibeto-Burman family of languages. This language is similar to the languages of Tamang, Gurung and Chhantyals.
Dhom (Jhankri) performs the christening of a newborn. Like in many other indigenous peoples and
nationalities, the maternal uncle has a prominent role in the first haircut of a child. Thakalis have a traditional marriage rite called Haji or marriage by capture in which the boy captures the girl he loves
with her consent. Death rites are performed through Dhom method if available and if not
available through Lama method. Thakalis have converted from Bon religion to Buddhism.
Thakalis have an ancient political, judicial, social and economic institution which implements the rules,
laws and regulations made by the thirteen Mukhiyas (chieftains) of the thirteen thasang villages of Thakalis. It settles disputes relating to petty quarrels, theft, robbery and other cases, protects forests and controls social evils and promotes customs like Dhukor (Bhattachan, BS2056).Although the traditional occupations of Thakalis are agriculture and animal husbandry, they are famous today for trade and business. Their success stories in the economic field are illustrious and worth imitating by all.
work referenced:
The Thakali by Michael Vinding
Himalayan anthropology by James F. Fisher
The History of the Kirat People, 2003
The emergence of name Thakali is relatively new. The name Thakali start to appear in the
beginning of the twelfth century. It is no doubt that Thakali migrated from the Tibetan plateau along with Lepcha, Sherpas, Tamang, Yolmo people. The History of the Kirat People states that the origin of the Kirat viz Tibeto-Burmese people can be traced back in combination of three races known by the names of Khambongbas(Khambos), the Tangsangthas(Mongols) and the Munaphens(Chinese). The Khambos were the first immigrants to this Himalayan region. The Tangsangthas and the Munaphens people came in later periods and intermingled with the Khambos to form a bigger human race. Scholar H.C. Ray Chowdhary(The Political History of Ancient India) states "In India, Kirat people occupied the regions from Himachal Pradesh to Assam in the north and from Manipur to
Chittangong in south-east." His work is compiled in the history of the Kirat people.
The stronghold of the Thakalis is Thak Khola in Mustang District. They have their own language, which belongs to the Tibeto-Burman family, and is similar to Gurung (Tamu) and Tamang languages. Thakalis have four major clans - Chhyoki (Gauchan), Salki (Tulachan), Dhimchen (Sherchan), and Bhurki (Bhattachan) - Lha Phewa is a major festival of the Thakalis, which is renowned as a 12-year cyclic fair. Thakalis adhere both to Bon and Buddhism. Their Toranlha festival coincides with the Fagu Purnima. hakalis have a language of their own. It belongs to the Tibeto-Burman family of languages. This language is similar to the languages of Tamang, Gurung and Chhantyals.
Dhom (Jhankri) performs the christening of a newborn. Like in many other indigenous peoples and
nationalities, the maternal uncle has a prominent role in the first haircut of a child. Thakalis have a traditional marriage rite called Haji or marriage by capture in which the boy captures the girl he loves
with her consent. Death rites are performed through Dhom method if available and if not
available through Lama method. Thakalis have converted from Bon religion to Buddhism.
Thakalis have an ancient political, judicial, social and economic institution which implements the rules,
laws and regulations made by the thirteen Mukhiyas (chieftains) of the thirteen thasang villages of Thakalis. It settles disputes relating to petty quarrels, theft, robbery and other cases, protects forests and controls social evils and promotes customs like Dhukor (Bhattachan, BS2056).Although the traditional occupations of Thakalis are agriculture and animal husbandry, they are famous today for trade and business. Their success stories in the economic field are illustrious and worth imitating by all.
work referenced:
The Thakali by Michael Vinding
Himalayan anthropology by James F. Fisher
The History of the Kirat People, 2003
Last edited: 18-Jun-09 02:56 PM