The Thakali are an ethnolinguistic group originating from the Thak Khola region of Mustang District in the Gandaki Province of Nepal. Thak-sat-se is the traditional area of the Thakali community, which lies over Mustang District, the valley of the Kali Gandaki river in western Nepal. According to the 2001 census, Thakali population of around 12,973 constituted only 0.06% of Nepal's population. As per the 2011 Nepal census, there are 13,215 Thakali people in Nepal. Thakalis are some of Nepal's most successful business people. Thakali are considered one of the richest caste in Nepal. They trade in places like Tukuche and Thaksatse. Thakalis were classified according to the place of Mustang they came from. They are owners of Nepal's hotels and motels. However, due to extensive trade all over Nepal, and Tibet, many Thakalis have resettled in Pokhara, Kathmandu and in southern Nepal. A good number of Thakalis are in Japan and England these days. Thakalis have their own Thakali language and their own culture with distinct rituals during birth, marriage and death. Lhafewa (Barha Barse Kumbha Mela), Toranlha (ancestral worship) and Falo (Kumar Yatra) are the major festivals of Thakalis. Dhnom is the title of the Thakali priest who performs the work of the local shaman. Madaal, Khaprang and Thamken are their main musical instruments. Among the Thakalis, there are 4 types Thakali people who consider themselves Thakali. All four caste are different according to the Census of Nepal. Teen Gauley ( Thakali from Thini, Syang and Chimang village), Marphali (Thakali from Marpha village, classified as Hirachan Pannachan, Jwarchan, Lalchan), 4 jaat (Sherchan, Tulachan, Bhattachan, Gauchan) and Thakali (Thakali from Southern Mustang Tukuche and Jomsom). They all consider themselves as different caste and consider themselves as Thakali. The customs, culture, dress and festival are slightly different from each other. See also Toran La, a festival of Thakali people Nepal Mustang District Dhaulagiri References External links Ethnic groups in Nepal