In the ethnic melting pot of the Kathmandu valley, the Tamangs form the largest of the non-aboriginal tribes. The origins of the Tamang are obscure though ethnically they are classed as Tibeto-Burman. They are predominantly followers of Tibetan Buddhism, though often with elements of older animistic traditions thrown in. Economically the Tamangs are near the bottom of the scale and tend to supply most of the unskilled manual labour, especially as porters. In my experience they also tend to be the friendliest and least reserved of the local people.