Message from Founder Chairperson

Historical Developments of the Hyolmo Indigenous Community

Nepal is a diverse nation of indigenous communities, a beautiful mosaic of various languages, religions, customs, and cultures. Among these, the Hyolmo community has flourished, a native son of the land since the beginning of Nepalese history. However, this community has bloomed amidst neglect and lack of care.

The Hyolmo people are inherently honest, simple, and tolerant, deeply devoted to Buddhism and religious work. Despite their modest economic means, they consider it their duty to contribute to religious and social causes, even if it means going into debt. Their practice of offering sympathy and support during difficult times, regardless of personal circumstances, continues to reflect their compassion and solidarity.

Hospitality and the service of religious leaders (lamas) are key pillars of the Hyolmo community. However, they have historically shied away from political involvement, enduring oppression and exploitation without raising protests. Despite these challenges, they remain a quiet and humble indigenous group, preserving their distinct identity.

Although there is no concrete historical evidence regarding the origins of the Hyolmo people, they have long regarded the Helambu region and neighboring districts as their ancestral homeland. Despite having a rich language, culture, and traditions, the Hyolmo people have been marginalized due to flawed governmental policies, placing them at risk of extinction in Nepal.

During the 104-year-long Rana regime, the Hyolmo community was denied rights and recognition. To secure employment, many Hyolmos were forced to change their identity, adopting surnames like Gurung or Magar. This led to Hyolmos residing in areas like Gorkha, Lamjung, and Darjeeling under different identities.

Despite being sons of Nepalese soil, biased policies have marginalized the Hyolmo people in their homeland, threatening their cultural survival.

Key Demands to the Government

1. Educational Reservations: Scholarships and reserved quotas for Hyolmo students to pursue higher education.
2. Employment Reservations: Employment quotas to address unemployment and biased recruitment.
3. Agricultural Reservations: Subsidies on seeds, fertilizers, and loans to support farmers in high-altitude regions.
4. Industrial Reservations: Opportunities for small-scale industries with tax and loan interest subsidies in remote regions.
5. Education in the Hyolmo Mother Tongue: Teaching in the Hyolmo language in government schools to preserve cultural identity.

A Message to the Hyolmo Community
No matter where you are, never forget your homeland, your language, attire, customs, and culture. Return to your sacred land, nurtured by your ancestors’ love and sacrifice. Forgetting it would be a grave loss.

Kanchha Lama Hyolmo
Founder Chairperson
Nepal Hyolmo Society Service Association

Hyolmo – Itihas Dekhi Bartaman Samma (From History to Present)
– Sourced from 2057 B.S. (2000 A.D.)