Walungs
Walung or Olangchung Gola is a small village located to the north of Tamor River in the district of Taplejung in eastern Nepal. Though small in size, it was a trade hub for surrounding villages such as Yangmakh, Gunsa, Khangbachey and Lungdung. Walung is surrounded by Sikkim to the east and Tibet to the north and hence was once a strategic place between Tibet, Nepal and Sikkim. The Gorkha war between Nepal and Tibet was negotiated in this tiny village. The Chogyal of Sikkim, fearing incarceration by British India, went into hiding here, ready to escape into Tibet, though he was captured later.
The Walungpas, as the indigenous inhabitants are called, owe their origin to Tibet. Therefore, Nyingmapa Buddhism is practiced here. An ancient monastery sits on top of the village, which the Walungpas revere as their shelter from anything untoward. The language spoken here is Nepali and Toepa, which is a dialect spoken in southern Tibet. The occupation of the Walungpas is trade and herding yaks and dzos. Losar and Phutuk are the main festivals, which the people celebrate with full pomp and show.
However, lately the river flowing next to the village is gradually expanding towards the village posing a serious threat of submerging the village.