Nepal Thami Samaj
Nepal Thami Samaj (Nepal Thami Society) is the national Indigenous organization representing the Thami (Thangmi) people of Nepal. It works to preserve and promote Thami language, culture, traditions, religion, identity, education, and community rights. It is listed as the Thami Indigenous Peoples Organization affiliated with NEFIN.
Nepal Thami Samaj is a national social organization established to unite and support the Thami/Thangmi Indigenous community of Nepal. Historical organizational documents identify its central office in Koteshwor, Kathmandu, and show its work in language and cultural preservation.
The organization works to protect and develop Thami language, traditional knowledge, cultural practices, religious traditions, education, and Indigenous identity. It has also supported the development of Thami-language educational materials and other initiatives aimed at keeping the language alive among younger generations.
Thami communities are concentrated particularly in Dolakha and Sindhupalchok, with populations also found in Ramechhap, Sindhuli and other parts of Nepal. The National Foundation for Development of Indigenous Nationalities (NFDIN) identifies Thami as a highly marginalized Indigenous hill nationality and records a 2021 census population of 32,743.
Nepal Thami Samaj has district and local committees and continues to participate in cultural and community-development activities. Recent examples include work on the Thami religious/cultural text “Siloke Palakhe” and Thami-language education