The Tamangs live mainly in the high hills in the east , north, south and west of Kathmandu Valley in the Central part of Nepal. These Tibeto- Burman speaking ethnic group derive their subsistence mainly as porters for the traders and trekking expeditions. While trekking in the Helambu or Langtang , we come across many of these people. Despite being so close to the capital city of Kathmandu, they are still backward and impoverished.

Economy and Trade :- Most Tamangs, living in compact traditional settlements, are self- sufficient as far as food is concerned. Tamangs living outside such settlements are generally very poor and they mainly work as porters, coolies for the trekkers and traders in the hill areas. They can not sustain on the cultivation on their marginal strip of land. Tamangs are very skillful in making woolen garments from sheep wool. Some of them are also trained to paint beautiful thankas.

Culture and Tradition :- The Tamang community are divided into several exogamous clans. A Tamang may marry any other except from his or her own clan. Cross- cousin marriage is preferred. Polyandry is not found but polygamy is common.

The Tamangs are Buddhists. The religious activities are based on Jhankrism. There are several ghyangs (Buddhist temples) in every Tamang settlement. All their festivals and ceremonies are performed in Buddhist fashion. On the first day of Magh ( some day in January and February), they celebrate Chho in these ghyangs.

Another feasting ceremony , nara is observed on the full moon day. Altogether , the Tamangs represent a community greatly exploited and poor in general.