The Gurung Cast in Nepal.

The Gurungs of Nepal numbers about 170,000 according the 1971 Nepal census. They are an oriental people who migrated to the foothills of the Himalayas many centuries ago. The first Gurung village south of the Himalaya is said to be Khhol, the ruins of which are high in the forest of northern Larjung. The highest Gurung villages were originally at an altitude of 3,500 metres. These high villages have mostly now been abandoned in favour of newer villages which lie at a lower altitude, between 2,500 metres and 1,000 metres.
The origins of the Gurungs are contained in a written text which appears to be derived from a traditional oral history. This history has been translated by both Bernard Pignede in the 1960s and Don L Messerschmidt in the 1970s. The two versions suggest that the Gurungs may not be averse to the adjustment of their history to suit the politics of the day. In fact in 2005 the Gurungs ceremonially burned all the copies they could find of Pignede's book, together with a printout of the original version of this web page!
The story tells of Prince Locan who left India with his wife and his priest Bali Acharya to spend time in religious retreat in the Himalayas. Whilst there, they liked it so much that they decided to stay in the Himalayas, rather than return home. They settled down and started families. Prince Locan's sons founded the Ghale, Ghotane and Lama clans. The priest's sons founded the Lamechane clan. The story goes on to say that Prince Lochan threw a trident at the Himalayas and settled where it fell. Afterwards all their sons came down from Mount Kailash (the holy mountain in Tibet) and settled in the forest of Larjung. Thus the Gurungs claim to have both Indian and Tibetan origins. Their present day appearance suggests that they are from Tibet.
The change in the story between the 1960s and 1970 is the Indian origin of Prince Locan. This may have been added to improve relations with Kathmandu. Or of course it might just be true.
Anyone who has travelled among the Gurung people will know that they are good company. They are known for good fun and teasing. This good nature may have its origins in the 'Rodi' institution. Gurung teenagers are prepared for adulthood and marriage in youth associations known as Rodi. It is a girls' institution based in a semi-permanent dormitory, organised by sponsoring parents with a daughter of Rodi age. The couple are known as the Rodi father and mother. The members are Rodi friends. Boys are not left out of this, they are equal participants, and are invited by the girls. The Rodi members take part in group entertainment. Rodi is a time to have fun and for finding affection, love and marriage. The Rodi also work as a team to help with farm work. Sadly the institution of Rodi is declining with the increasing Hinduisation of the Gurung.