Tamangs

Tamangs form an integral part of the tribal population of Sikkim. In Sikkim, Tamangs occupy an important position among the tribes residing in the territory of Sikkim.

The Tamangs of Sikkim claim to belong to four different families. One group of the Tamangs in Sikkim opine that they belong to the Bal family. But the other group of the Tamangs at Sikkim claim to hail from Yonjon, Moktan and Ghising families. The Bal, Ghising, Yonjon and the Moktan families seems to bear the progenitors of the Tamangs of Sikkim.

Further, the Tamangs in Sikkim are divided into two main groups, viz. the Bara Tamang and the Atharajat. These two groups of the Tamangs reflect the social hierarchy in the Tamang society. The Bara Tamang belong to the higher strata of the society among the Tamangs at Sikkim. The Atharajat in Sikkim rank second in social hierarchy: the Bara Tamangs seems to be socially superior to the Atharajat in the social strata of the Tamangs.

Moreover, it can be said that the Tamangs are in many ways similar to the Gurangs. The cultures and customs of the Tamangs reflect the ways of the Gurang community of Sikkim. The language spoken by the Tamangs bears a close affinity with the language of the Gurangs.

In Sikkim, Tamangs generally belong to the Buddhist cult, that it is to say, the Tamangs are Buddhists: the Tamangs follow Lamaist Buddhism.