Tamang A mountainside village inhabited by Tamang The Tamang ( also known as Murmi ) are one of the several ethnic groups living in Nepal descended from Tibeto-Burman origins . Living mainly north and east of the Newars in the Kathmandu valley , they constitute 5.6% of Nepal 's population , which places their population at 1 , 280 , 000 , slightly higher than the Newars . Due to their geographical location , their language is vaguely intelligible with Newari but closely related to both Tibetan and Sherpa . The name Tamang , in Tibetan , means horse traders , which suggest that their ancestors came from the north and traded horses with the local community ( Newars ) and later settled and intermarried among them . However , many of them today earn a living through serving as porters . Like the Sherpas , they are also good mountaineers and mountain-guides . Some of Tamang were also recruited to serve in the British and Indian Gurkha regiments . The Tamangs are followers of Tibetan Buddhism mixed with elements of the pre-Buddhist Bön and the Tambaist religion . Due to their proximity to the Newar , a slight Hindu influence can be seen in their practises . Their priests include Lama , Bombo and Tamba . Many Tamang clans do not permit intermarriage with other ethnic groups , although some clans do permit intermarriages with the Gurung , Magar , Newar , and Chhettri . Their descent is traced patrilineally . See also Tamang language References All India Tamang Buddhist Association General Profile about the Tamangs Categories : Ethnic groups in Nepal In other languages : Srpskohrvatski / Српскохрватски 