Day 12 - The Thami Nationality 

Live east of Kathmandu in the districts of Dolakha, Sindupaichok, and Ramechhap

The Thami were originally a nomadic tribe that came from the West to settle just east of Kathmandu.  They are hard working, but often easily exploited by neighbouring peoples.  Their staple diet is fish and dhendo (a mush made of millet or maize flour).  They also eat the meat of goats, fowl, duck, and cows, and consume a lot of alcohol.  Because of the cold climate, they cannot grow rice and many of the people suffer from malnutrition.

Many Thamis work in the stone quarrying business.  Their economic condition is very poor and the men often have to carry large, heavy stones at great distances to make a living.  many others travel to India to find work.

Although most Thami women have adopted modern clothing styles, such as saris, some still wear labaedas, which are made from plants that are beaten and woven into fibres.  They also wear large gold earrings and nose rings.  Men wear daura surwals made of black cloth, a wide waistband, and caps.  Marriage is considered a very sacred institution to the Thamis and they believe in staying faithful to one partner until death.

Thami people are not purely Hindus or Buddhists.  They worship deities that are not at all in any of the major religions.  They tend to lean towards Buddhism, but they use the rituals of the Hindu religion in their marriages.

Many Thamis have heard the name of Jesus and received Christian literature, but few have really understood the gospel message.  There is one small fellowship of twenty to thirty believers, but there is still no literature or Bible available in their language.  Most Thamis can speak Nepali, so Nepali is used in their fellowship meetings.

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