Gurung People

Gurungs comprise less than 3% of the population and are most known for their participation as “Gorkha Soldiers” in Britain armies. They probably moved into Nepal from Mongolia with the other Kirat ethnic groups, Limbu and Rai, and have since then settled in Western parts of Nepal and elsewhere. Gurungs practice a unique blend of Hinduism, Buddhism and Bon or Shamanistic religion. While some Gurungs claim that they practice a unique form of Himalayan Shamanism and did not originate from Tibet, many do agree that once descended from Tibet as did many other ethnic groups in Nepal. While Gurungs have their own language, many younger Gurungs speak Nepali and have never learned their mother tongue. There are many Gurungs living abroad, especially in England where their legal battle over pension rights brought them into public prominence.