Gurung FAQs
Q. What religion do the Gurungs practice?
A majority of Gurungs of Nepal do not follow only one religion. Long ago, they believed in nature and spirits, worshipping their ancestors and local gods with the help of shamans or traditional priests (kRo", घ्याप्री). Later, many Gurungs came under the influence of Buddhism and Hinduism, so their religion today is a mix of these traditions.
In many Gurung villages, both Buddhist lamas (monks) and shamans still perform rituals. Some Gurungs celebrate Buddhist festivals, while others also join in Hindu festivals like Dashain and Tihar. This shows that their faith is not strict or single, but a combination of different beliefs.
In short, the Gurungs practice a blended religion of Buddhism, Hinduism, and old shaman traditions, with their spirituality strongly connected to nature, ancestors, and community life.
Q. Do Gurungs practice endogamy or exogamy?
Traditionally, the Gurung people practice both endogamy and exogamy, depending on the context of the group or clan.
Caste Endogamy:
Gurungs are a specific caste within Nepalese society. Traditionally, they are expected to marry within the Gurung caste, a practice known as caste endogamy.
Clan Exogamy:
Within the Gurung caste, there are numerous subgroups or clans, including Ghotane, Lama, Ghale, and many others. Members of these clans are strictly required to marry someone from a different Gurung clan. This practice, known as clan exogamy, is a fundamental rule. Marrying within one's own clan is considered incestuous and is strictly forbidden. For example, a person from the Ghotane clan must marry a girl from a different clan, like a Ghale or a Lamchhane.
While clan exogamy is still widely and strictly observed, caste endogamy is becoming less common due to increased globalization and changing social attitudes.
Q. What is a 'gotra'? Do Gurungs follow the 'gotra system'?
A gotra (uf]q) is a concept from Hindu culture. It refers to a lineage or clan that traces its origin to an ancient sage (rishi) or an important male ancestor. Each gotra is typically named after that sage or ancestor. People who belong to the same gotra are considered to be like brothers and sisters, so marriage within the same gotra is strictly forbidden and seen as incest. For this reason, anyone following the gotra system must ensure that his or her future spouse belongs to a different gotra before marriage.
Not all Gurungs follow the gotra system. Among those who do, different sub-groups or clans have their own gotras. However, whether or not a Gurung follows gotra, all Gurungs strictly practice clan exogamy, which means they cannot marry within their own clan. The Gurungs have lived in proximity to Hindu societies for centuries and have been significantly influenced by Hindu traditions. It is believed that many Gurungs later adopted the gotra system into their social structure under Hindu influence, rather than it being an original Gurung tradition. Even today, many Gurungs strictly follow the principles of gotra in their marriage and ritual practices. Some examples of Gurung gotras are: Atri (clq), Bhardwaj (e/åfh), Kashyap (sZok), and Garga (uu{).
In Hindu culture, people from different castes can belong to the same gotra. For example, the Garga gotra is shared by several castes, such as Gajurel, Bastola, Gurung (Lamchhane), Bhurtel, and others. A Gurung who strictly follows the gotra system must still make sure that the future spouse belongs to a different gotra, even when marrying outside the caste. If your family follows the gotra system, it is important to know and remember your own gotra. So, what's your gotra?
Q. What are 'char jaat' and 'sorah jaat' in the Gurung social structure?
The Gurung social structure may seem somewhat complex. The Gurung community is traditionally divided into two main groups or clans: the Char Jat (Four Clans) and the Sorah Jat (Sixteen Clans). The four clans are Ghale (#n]), Ghotane (#f]tfg]), Lama (nfdf), and Lamchhane (nfd%fg]) in Nepali. In the Gurung language, they are called Kle for Ghale, Kon for Ghotane, Lam for Lama, and Lem for Lamchhane. Each of these clans may further contain smaller subgroups, though they are not as significant as the primary clans. The Sorah Jat, on the other hand, is a broader category that includes a larger number of Gurung clans, though not literally sixteen. Regardless of clan, every Gurung shares the same heritage and continues to live together in harmony, guided by their rich culture and age-old traditions.
Q. Are the Ghales and the Gurungs the same, and why don't the Ghales use 'Gurung' as their last name (surname)?
The Ghales and the Gurungs belong to the same ethnic community. The Ghales are simply one of several subgroups within the Gurung ethnic group. While all other subgroups traditionally use “Gurung” as their last name, the Ghales are an exception, choosing to retain “Ghale” as their surname. Despite this distinction, the Ghales are fully recognized as part of the broader Gurung community. Other notable subgroups, similar to the Ghales, include the Ghotanes, Lamas, Lamchhanes, and others, each with further internal divisions.
Q. How long have the Gurungs been serving in the British and Indian armies and the Singapore Police Force?
The Gurung people have been serving in the British and Indian armies for over 200 years, a tradition that began in 1816.
British and Indian Armies:
The military service of the Gurungs and other Nepalese ethnic groups, collectively known as the Gurkhas, began during the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814-1816). Impressed by the Gurkhas' bravery, tenacity, and fighting skills, the British East India Company began recruiting them into its army after the war ended with the 'Treaty of Sugauli' in 1816.
After India gained its independence in 1947, the original Gurkha regiments were divided between the British Army and the new Indian Army. Four regiments were transferred to the British, forming the Brigade of Gurkhas, while six others became a part of the Indian Army. Gurung men continue to be recruited into both forces today, upholding a tradition of distinguished service that has spanned two centuries and multiple conflicts, including both World Wars, the Falklands War, and operations in Afghanistan.
Singapore Police Force:
The Gurungs have also been serving in the Singapore Police Force for over 75 years. The Gurkha Contingent of the Singapore Police Force has been recruiting Gurkhas from Nepal since its formation on April 9, 1949. The decision to recruit Gurkhas was driven by a need for an impartial, honest, and highly disciplined force to maintain law and order in the then multi-ethnic society in Singapore.
Driven by globalization, today Gurung people are serving in the armed forces of various countries around the world, including the United States, extending their legacy of military service beyond the traditional British and Indian armies.
Q. What are 'Rodhi' and 'Rodhi Ghar'?
'Rodhi' (/f]wL+) is a traditional Gurung social institution or practice, serving as a communal gathering for young Gurung men and women. These informal, non-religious meetings take place in the evening at a designated venue or house called the 'Rodhi Ghar' (Rodhi House or /f]wL+ #/ in Nepali). Under supervision, participants socialize, sing, dance, share folklore, and sometimes even engage in a serious discussion on a common issue. Historically, the Rodhi was central to youth culture, functioning as the primary setting where young people learned their traditions and even engaged in courtship.
While the strict, traditional form of the Rodhi has diminished in many areas due to modernization and migration, it remains a powerful symbol of Gurung culture. Today, the term 'Rodhi' often refers to Gurung cultural programs and performances that recreate the atmosphere and traditions of the historical Rodhi gathering.
Q. Do the Gurungs have their own traditional priests or shamans?
Yes. The Gurung community has its own distinct class of traditional priests and ritual specialists. The primary ones are:
1. Pachyu or Poju (kRo')
2. Gyabri, Klehpri or Lhori (घ्याप्री)
3. Lama or Bonpo Lama (nfdf)
Due to variations in Gurung pronunciation and dialects across different regions, multiple versions of these names are common. Each group holds deep knowledge of Gurung tradition and rituals. Their essential duties include conducting life-cycle ceremonies, reciting sacred prayers and texts, performing divination and astrological calculations, executing healing and protective rituals to maintain harmony between the human and spiritual worlds, and also overseeing after-death or funerary ceremonies.
Alongside these traditional priests, many Gurung families also engage Hindu priests (पण्डित) for specific rituals, reflecting the community's cultural syncretism.
Q. What are the traditional Gurung funerary (after-death) rituals and their variants?
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