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FIWNA Hosts 4th Virtual Interaction on "Nhang-khor: Customary Self-Governance Systems of the Tamang Nation"
The Federation of Indigenous Women of Nepal in America (FIWNA) successfully hosted its 4th Virtual Interaction Session on the topic: “Nhang-khor: Customary Self-Governance Systems of the Tamang Nation.”
RK Tamang, an Indigenous academic activist, delivered an insightful presentation that delved into the historical governance systems of the Tamang Nation. He emphasized how these systems were disrupted following the rise of the Gorkha regime. Tamang highlighted how derogatory terms like “Gaiko masu khane,” “Masinya Matuwali,” and “Bhote” were used to undermine Indigenous identity and customs. He also shared that the Tamang Nation—historically known as Tamsaling (Tamsaling is the broader territories) and Tamang is the fifth largest ethnic groups in Nepal.
Tamang explained the structure of the Tamang customary system,
which features legislative, judicial, and executive governance that are
intertwined. These systems governed communities with principles of justice and
accountability. One core community saying he cited was: “Break heads but don’t
break stomachs,” referring to the importance of upholding justice without
depriving people of their basic survival and also not letting to go out to
colonial legal system.
He also critiqued the challenges Indigenous governance systems
face today, attributing their marginalization to external ideologies such as Brahmanism,
communism, economic trends, and unprincipled eclecticism—which, he argued, fail
to distinguish between immediate demands and the long-term goals of Indigenous
movements.
The session featured a vibrant discussion among participants
from various backgrounds, including students, researchers, journalists, and
advocates.
Advocate Durga Mani Yamphu suggested that learning from
historical rulers could help improve strategy and cautioned against harshly
worded accusations, which may sometimes worsen situations.
Kalpana Bhattachan, Vice President of the National Indigenous
Women Federation (NIWF), raised a critical question about why many Indigenous
nationalities in Nepal struggle to sustain their self-governance systems. She
asked how Indigenous communities could realistically implement customary law
today.
Tulabahadur Tamang, President of the Tamang Society of America,
inquired about the scripts historically used in Tamang governance.
Presenter RK Tamang addressed these concerns thoughtfully and
welcomed the feedback and suggestions offered by participants.
One of the event’s highlights was commentary from Professor Dr.
Krishna Bhattachan, a prominent Indigenous scholar. He emphasized that many
perspectives still operate within a colonized mindset and need decolonization.
He encouraged the presenter to focus on documentation, allowing communities to
determine how to use such records to build law. He referenced African
Indigenous Peoples, noting that they never ceded their land to colonial rulers,
and asserted that the same principle applies to Indigenous Peoples in Nepal.
Citing ILO Convention 169, Dr. Bhattachan underscored the
importance of free, prior, and informed consent—pointing out that it has often
been misused as “forced prior consent.” He argued that governments must
acknowledge and apologize for violations of Indigenous rights. He also urged
both presenters and participants to recognize and overcome colonial mentalities
still embedded in their approaches.
The event was moderated by Indira Chongbang, President of
FIWNA, who warmly welcomed participants and extended sincere thanks to the
presenter for his contributions. She reaffirmed FIWNA’s commitment to
continuing this series to raise awareness about Indigenous rights, cultural
heritage, and self-determination systems.
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