TangTing village is located about two hours drive up the Madi River valley to the northeast of Pokhara; the second biggest city of Nepal. TangTing lies just below the Annapurna IV and Lamjung Himal. It is situated at an altitude of 1685 meters above sea level directly opposite of the village Sikles. It is a very beautiful village with abundant natural scenery – surrounded by mountains, hills, thick forests, streams and waterfalls. The village faces North West and has a direct view of Annapurna range and Lamjung Himal. The village is picturesquely placed in the foothill providing a scenic view of surrounding landscapes. There is a virgin lake called ‘Dudh Pokhari’ right on the base of Lamjung Himal which can be reached within 2 days walk from TangTing.
Population
TangTing is a village with over 250 households, with a population of approximately 2000. The main habitants of this village are the Gurung’s (one of the four marshal tribe that has, for two hundred years, traditionally joined the British Army). Other castes, such as: Biswakarma, Pariyar and Nepali are also part of the community here. The village is divided into three distinct clusters of houses with majority of the farming land on the slopes below the settlement.
Dwellings:
The accommodation inside the houses are basic and traditional. The houses are built of mud, mainly of two levels: the ground floor consists of a lower living area with a wood cooking fire in the ground and mats for people to sit on. Sleeping is in a separate area on the ground floor and on the upper floor. Floors were mostly of mud with some concrete construction in a few of the newer buildings. The buildings consist of a lower living area having a simple wood cooking fire and shelving around the walls to hold pots and utensils. Little furniture are in evidence but most people use mats to sit on the floor. In some houses there are beds on the lower floor which are used for seating during the day. The upper floors of the buildings are reserved for sleeping accommodation using locally made beds. Some separate accommodation for sleeping are available at some locations.
However, recently, new and modern houses are built that have comparatively more facilities than previously built traditional houses. These new houses have advanced facilities with heating system, showers and modern restrooms.
Culture and Religion:
Tangting is rich in culture and traditions which are being passed from generation to generation. The villagers believe in many Gods. The traditional religion of the Gurung people is Bon (worship to the nature) like Buddhisum. but this seems to have been changed in the Madi Khola valley. Not many have been following the rituals that their past generation or ancestors used to practice of. However, TangTing has a Kwoibo (holy place for Bon people to worship) and a Gumba (Buddist temples) where occasional prayers are carried. This proves that TangTing has mixed religion that people have their own beliefs and respects mainly to Bonism and Buddhism.
The traditional dress of the Gurung was very much in evidence as everyday attire. Most women put their Gurung outfits while a large proportion of the men still wear the traditional Bhangra (like rucksack) and during cold weather, the Bakkhu. All of the traditional dress was seen being made as handicrafts around the village using locally produced materials. The Rhodhi tradition is being kept alive although it is not in its original style. The Mother Group and Youth entertain guests in the evening by playing or blending both traditional and modern music.
The main festivals that are celebrated in Tangting are the Nepalese festivals of Dashain (Hindu festival) which is an important family festival. During Dashain, temporary swings will be built in the village and young girls and boys often court each other. Other festivals celebrated by the community include Losar (December/January), Maghe Sakranti (January/February), Chaitra Dashain (March/April), Baishak Purne (April/May) and Saun Sakranti (August/September).
Agriculture and Livestock:
Most of the villagers are involved in agriculture and cultivate the slopes directly in front of, and around the village. Farming is their main occupation for living. The village has ample productive farming lands and produces 80% of the food requirements of the population. The main crops are rice, wheat, barley, corn, millet and vegetables. An agricultural advisor is resident in the village at the time of our visit. Livestock grown includes cows, buffalo, sheep, goats and chickens. An agricultural committee has been formed and is being liaising to the local authority or council for wider development of agriculture projects in the area while native people from abroad (especially from the UK) are encouraging villagers to produce and be independent on production.
In recent years, many people from this village migrated to Pokhara, Kathmandu; the capital and other parts of the country, as well as the world over in search of better economic opportunities.
Source of Income:
The main sources of income currently are Army Pensions, agriculture and craft production. Many local people have settled in Kathmandu and Pokhara perusing business and armed forces careers. They later contribute greatly to the village community.
However, recently, people are operating hotels and homestay programme as tourism in the village are increasing. People are starting making tourism business.
Community facilities:
The village has a health post/VDC office and a branch office of ACAP. There was a primary school, in poor condition, that offers education up to seven class. A new secondary school is being built in the village sponsored by the Pahar Trust, a UK based INGO. There is no police presence in the village. However, there are police check posts established on the way to the TangTing and surroundings where foreigners must possess their documents or permits to visit the area.
Standard rock paved trails are built throughout the village and so the side trails. The main trails being significantly better than the side trails. Drainage is mainly via the natural water courses running through the village from the slopes above. Drinking water of good quality is available at taps and some houses have fitted heating system providing hot water too. Many houses have modern toilets and bath facilities while few have hot water running system.
The village is supplied with 24 hours electricity from the central system by Nepal Electricity Authority.
School and Education
There is a High School in TangTing called Shree Himalaya Milan Secondary School. According to the Principal of the school; Mr. Om Prakash Gurung, the school in Tangting was first established in 1956 at a primary level and then upgraded to lower secondary level in the year 1976 before finally attaining full secondary level status in 1999.
In the past, students in Tangting had to go to Pokhara; the nearest city and neighboring villages for higher class studies. Students used to travel for almost four hours a day crossing rivers and streams. These had prevented many students from perusing their secondary school and higher studies.
Now, the school has two steroids RCC building consisting of six big classrooms in each stair. The building was built by the Pahar Trust Nepal UK (NGO); an UK base NGO. Also, has got two hostels built with the help of Government of Isle of Man particularly St. Thomas’ Primary School. The school has a yard for activities and a basketball court built with the help of ‘British Welfare Fund’ where they occasionally organize friendly inter-village competitions.
There are currently 200 students, between the ages of four and sixteen enrolled at the Himalaya Milan Secondary School. Subjects studied at primary level include Nepali, English, Mathematics, Social Study, art, music, and dance. The curriculum is expanded at secondary level to include Science, Population and Environment, additional Mathematics and Education.
With all these, TangTing in the late few years is being improving a lot in the sector of Education. But still have a long way to go and a lot to improve.
Local Attractions
TangTing has beautiful scenery and breathtaking views from and around. The area has obvious scenic attractions with impressive views of the massive Annapurna. What is less obvious is the amount of interesting historical material that is locally available. The famous ridge Mt. Annapurna and Lamjung Himal (a range of mountains) can be seen directly from this village. At a distance of about one to two days walk from TangTing is the locality of Kola-Sothar. This is thought to be the site of the first Gurung settlement west of Manang and the place from where all further Gurung migration originated. The village of TangTing itself has apparently, been relocated on several occasions and the remains of previous settlements are still in evidence, a short distance above the village. Cultural and traditional attractions are also available and preserved to make the village an attractive tourist destination.
More ranges of mountains and 360-degree view can be seen if you reach up to Naucho Hill (an hour walk from the village) and more from Krapu Hill; known as Gurung Hill (about 4 hours walk from the village). A new virgin trekking route (Gurung Sampada Marg) has been explored by the local government and trails is on progress. Manang (world famous trekking route; Annapurna circuit) can be reached from TangTing.
Socio-Economic Development
TangTing is on the process of development like many other villages in Nepal. Nepal Government and local authority are working together for the development of surrounding area. Motorable roads are built and the village is connected to the national electricity supply system. The local government is being focused and initiating many development projects specially to reform the agriculture in the village.
With all these developments and potentialities/prospects, TangTing still deprived of many other developments. The majority of the village infrastructures were developed by the help of various foreign or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are seasonal. It yet has to go a long way and the village lack of many other modern developments. The people who remain in the village are poor, aged and economically ‘disabled’. The ‘able’ and the ‘haves’ left the village in search of better lives elsewhere. Human poverty is more than a shortfall or lack of income. It is the denial of economic, political, social and physical opportunities to lead a long, healthy, creative life and to enjoy a decent standard of living, freedom, dignity, self-esteem and the respect of others. Poverty is a major cause of food insecurity.