GURUNG orTamu (interpreted in its own dialect meaning “ Okay ”) is the indigenous tribe of Nepal, mostly living in Northern Hilly region. Relating to Tamu Shaman (Priests) Pachyu and Klepris oral story (pye) could possibly trace their ancestor movement. Despite archeology explored in the Khola Sonthar, where the Tamu Village existed before 1000 to 1200 years ago prior to migrate in Sikles, Taprang and Ghandrung; Ko Ko Nor lake existence in Qinghai in China and some places in Manang, Mustang, Mongolia, Syberia still exist and yet to explore more.

Origin of word GURUNG may be derived from Gu-rong as explained by IS Chemjong in History and Culture of Kirat People, means a confederacy headed by Nine Leaders of Rong people from Southern Tibet who migrated in trans-himalaya region to settle in mid hill of northern Nepal.

The tribe Gya-rung from lower valley of Eastern Tibet (Yarlung Valley) may have become GURUNG in diversified pronunciation in long term as explanation retrieve from Brian Hudson, a diplomat in 19 Century.. Tibetan word Gya-rung referred to Land, Barbarous and Alien People.

What might be the origin of GURUNG word, its understand as Tamu among the GURUNG clan.

According to the various researcher and scholars, the ritual and religion perform by Tamu priests Pachyu, Klepri and Bonpo Lama was the Pre-Buddhist religion. This Pre-Buddhist religion is known as Bon religion well in practice before 200 BC. The Bon religion was forced to reform beyond recognization after the 7 century. Due to secret spell, limited resources, scriptures and dominating by the popularity of Buddhism, our ancestor religion is in the verge of extinction.

Bon means Way of Life or Basic Law is spiritual religion believe to nature and ancestral worship; and sacrificial of animal is an integral part of the faith. Along with the Tamu Pachyu, Klepri and Bonpo Lama, the Siberian Shaman has a similar spiritual faith and believed to be a strong carrier of the Bon religion to the date. The Bon religion is still predominately a live tradition in China (Yunan, Sichuan, Qinghai), Bhutan, Sikkim, Mongolia, Nepal (Dolpo, around Jomsom) and reviving in Tibetan as a fifth sector (other fourth sectors are – Nyingmapa, Kagyupa, Sakyapa and Gelukpa).

The main objectives of the web are not only entertain to the Bonpo followers, but –

•  to create peace and harmony among all religion and races. No humanism is better than any religion.

•  assist to explorer the myth as per our oral pray and share the facts with all human being.

•  the GURUNG are migrating all around the world. The young generation should know and aware that Tamu has its unique tradition and culture followed by own priest in which they memorize all instruction by mind and pray in Tamu languages! But, the young generation should be freed to choose and adopt any religion.

•  to provide the Tamu priests, those who required in deed.

•  to unite Pachyu and Klepri methodology and rituals practices of different region and emphasize them to follow in similar ways.

•  assist to develop scriptures from priest's oral and mind memory.

We should urge today to affirm our identity and retrieve to preserve ancestral tradition, religious and culture before it extinct completely!

References -
1. Bon in the Himalaya - BC GURUNG
2. The GURUNGS - Bernade Pignede
3. History & Culture of Kirat People - IS Chemjong
4. Himalaya Dialogue - Dr. Stan Royal Mumfo