Tamang Museum and Cultural Centre at Dhunche Village

Rasuwa district holds the majority of Tamang people with 64% of its population and has widely been populate as the land of Tamangs in the tourism market. The rich Tamang culture, tradition, artifacts, songs and festivals together with natural attractions have attracted thousands of visitors in the district. Basically 3 categories of Tamangs such as pure Tamang in northern-west areas (Gatlang, Goljung, Haku), Tibetan influenced Tamang (Timure, Briddim, Langtang) and Lower Tamang (Bhorle, Dhaibung area) are found in Rasuwa. The age old rich Tamang culture is now under pressure due to poverty led activities in non tourist areas and over commercialization of culture in tourist areas. Both of these factors are resulting in the degradation of Tamang culture and ultimately degrading the potentials of tourism in the district. In order to minimize the degradation of Tamang culture and to preserve and satisfy the visitors with its rich culture, Tamang Museum and Cultural Centre (TMCC) is now operational at the Dhunche village of Dhunche, Rasuwa.

Objectives of TMCC

1. To preserve the rich Tamang culture, tradition and costumes

2. To raise awareness to the locals on the value and importance of culture

3. To promote cultural based tourism activities

4. To offer facilities for traditional cultural performance on a traditional as well as commercial basis

5. To offer space and facilities for meetings, workshops, conference, and documentary show etc.

Facilities and Services available at the Center

1. Museum Visit: The upper storey has been decorated with the museum material and information related to Tamang culture, rituals, costumes, ornaments, lifestyles, living/eating patterns and the old history. Tamang costumes are available for rental and photography.

2. Cultural Performance: The lower storey has been equipped with the facilities and services for cultural performance. The performance includes typical Syabru dance (Group dance), Lama Dance and Shamanic dance by the Shamans (Jhankri). During the clear and sunny days, programs can be performed in the outer yards.

3. Buying local Handicrafts: Locally made woolen and wooden handicrafts have been placed for sale at the corner of Museum complex. The crafts may remind the visitors of the rich Tamang culture and costumes.

4. Documentary show, training, meeting, workshops and other ceremony: The lower storey has been equipped with facilities for the culture and tourism related documentary show, meeting, conference and workshop etc on a rental basis.

Visitors are also expected to have a cup of tea at the Museum premises. Furthermore visitors are requested to visit the old Dhunche village to see the culture, tradition and the cultural transformation by comparing their lifestyles in reference to the Museum.

The Museum is open from 7.00 am to 9.00 am in the morning and 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm in the evening. The cultural program is performed at 7.00 pm on requested only. The lower storey is open for training, meeting and documentary show on request by the parties on payments.