Language
Thami (Thangmi Wakhekham) is a Tibeto-Burman language. The name is often explained as “Tha” (border) and “Mi” (people), describing frontier communities.
AboutThami Dictionary
Thami (Thangmi)
Thami, also called Thangmi, are an indigenous people of the Eastern Himalayas with deep roots in Dolakha and surrounding hill regions. Communities also live across nearby Indian districts and in Bhutan.
Snapshot
- Also known as
- Thangmi
- Language family
- Tibeto-Burman
- 2011 census
- ~28,671 people
Culture & Religion
Traditional life includes nature-centered worship and shamanic practice. Seasonal observances such as Udhauli and Ubhauli remain important, alongside veneration of local deities including Bara-Dewa and Bhumya Dewa.
Over time, many families have adopted Hindu and Buddhist traditions as well. This blending has also placed pressure on language and ritual continuity.
Demographics & Society
Nepal‘s 2011 census recorded roughly 28,671 Thami people (around 0.1% of the national population). Largest concentrations remain in Dolakha, with smaller communities in Sindhupalchowk, Ramechhap, Ilam, and Sindhuli.
Historical marginalization and limited access to education have shaped economic outcomes. Many households rely on agriculture, manual labor, and local trades.
Geographic Distribution
Primary presence: Dolakha district in Nepal. Diaspora communities live in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Kurseong, and Sikkim in India, with some families in Bhutan.