Country Nepal District Mustang District | Zone Dhawalagiri Zone Time zone Nepal Time (UTC+5:45) | |
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Tangbe (Taye in Tibetan) is a small village in the village development committee of Chhusang in the Mustang District of Nepal. It is located on a promontory with a good view over the Kali Gandaki Gorge on the Upper Mustang trekking route, between Kagbeni and Chhusang.
Contents
Map of Thangbe, Chhusang 33100, Nepal
Demography
The people of Tangbe village call themselves "Tangboten". Most Tangbotens are using the surname "Gurung", which is a very well known surname in Nepal. Whereas some of the Tangbotens use the surname "Tangbetani".
Tangbotens come from the village of Tangbe, which is a part of the Bahra Gaunle (12 villages) confederation in Mustang district. According to oral history, they have come to Tangbe from Bhurcho of Manang District.
Most of the Tangbotens have already migrated from Tangbe. A majority of the Tangbotens are living in Pokhara, some are living in Kathmandu and some of the Tangbotens are living in the United States as well. There are only 32 households in the Tangbe village. Some 85 families are found in Pokhara, around 25 families in Jomsom, around 20 families in Kathmandu and around 50 individuals in the United States.
They were traditionally salt traders. The ruins of an ancient fortress have become a silent witness of history, when Tangbe was on a major salt trade route between Tibet and India. After the decline in this trade many years ago, most Tangbotens stated to be engaged in farming and other vocations. Nowadays a majority of Tangbotens are owners of Fashion Wear Shops at Pokhara.
The Tangbotens have been described as an indigenous people of Nepal, residing in the Barhagaun area of Mustang. They resemble Lhoba in physical appearance and are influenced by Tibetan Culture. They have their own unique language called the "Serke", meaning the golden language. They have their own unique dress and ornaments. They also have their own traditional cultural songs, which are sung during the festivals. They also dance along with the melody of the songs they sing.
Religion and Culture
All the Tangbotens are Buddhist. They celebrate several festivals such as Chhau/ Losar (Lhochhar: New Year), Yartong (The festival of riding on a horse and going to the Muktinath) and Dhachyang (The festival for playing Bow and Arrow). According to their tradition, second son should become Dhawa (Lama: Religious Devotee, Buddhist) and second daughter a Jhuma (a Buddhist nun). Their marriage system is polyandrous by tradition, but such marriages are not practiced by them these days.
Community
A social association of Tangbotens have been established in Pokhara. This association is called "Tangbe Samaj Sewa Sanjh". The office and conference hall of this association is located at Parsyang, Pokhara.