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 THE PEOPLE OF NEPAL
The Himalayan range acts as a tremendous natural barrier between South and Central Asia, but for thousands of years its passes have provided a place for encounters between the Mongolian groups of Tibeto-Burmese speakers, who adhere to Tibetan Buddhism and numerous naturalistic religions, and members of the Caucasian peoples speaking Indo-Aryan languages and practicing Hinduism as their religion.
When trying to assign individual ethnic groups to particular geographical regions, one must realize that these regions are extremely varied. Individual ethnic groups, for example the Tamang, have to be very flexible when it comes to adapting to their surroundings. And they must accept legwork as a fact of life. They plant rice on fields 700 meters in altitude; they cultivate potatoes, wheat, buckwheat, millet and corn at around 2,500 meters; and they go up to 4,500 meters to bring their livestock to pasture.
The Terai and the Hill Region
The main ethnic groups represented in the Terai include the Tharu, the Darai, the Kumhal, the Danuwar and the Majhi, as well as the Hindu population with its roots in India. These groups speak primarily Nepalese and northern Indian dialects. They live from agriculture, mostly as tenant farmers on private estates, which they were unable to register for in time, thus losing their land. In addition, the Majhi are employed as drivers, the Kumhal as potters, and the Danuwar as fishermen.
The Northern Region
In the far north live - among others the Sherpa, the Dolpo pa, the Baragaonli, the Manangi and the Lopa. They usually earn a living as guides and porters for mountain climbing expeditions, as high mountain farmers, and as yak and sheep breeders. They are linguistically - as well as culturally - connected to Tibet. In general, they are often referred to as Bhotiyas. The previously mentioned traders are recruited from these groups in particular. Also to be counted among them are the Humli-Khyampa, who subsist as nomadic traders in the westernmost section of the country.
Kiranti and Tamang Peoples
As a rule, the Kiranti (predecessors of the Limbu, Rai, Sunawar and other ethnic groups that live today in Nepal) are considered to be the oldest inhabitants of central and eastern Nepal. Numerous myths exist about their origins and role in the process of history. It is questionable whether the Kiranti had in reality stayed partly in Benares, partly in Lhasa and partly in the Kathmandu Valley in "early" times, as is portrayed in their myths. It is also difficult to verify the myths of other ethnic groups, with their supposed glorious pasts as kings and high dignitaries. Their origins, the time of their arrival in Nepal, and their political development are all difficult to research.
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