Three of the four members of the Norwegian Team – Hem, Ellen and Arild – arrived in March to pick up where they left off in November last year. The fourth member, Per, followed in April. In their absence, Narendra and Krishna Maya have moved ahead with the aid of local residents and laborers. Significantly, the face of the once virtually abandoned village is changing rapidly as former residents and curious visitors from Nepal and abroad are making the journey to Tamagi along greatly improved access roads. Major accomplishments since our last visit are listed below. As always, your comments and suggestions are welcome!
Tamagi is gradually being ‘upgraded’ to serve the needs of existing and future residents as new roads are carved out of the rugged terrain and existing roads are improved. Local government authorities are currently constructing a new road passing by Tamagi just below the museum site, terminating in the neighboring village Bhadaure (only 500 meters remain). Newly erected metal power poles passing through Tamagi will soon reconnect the village to the national power grid, making the solar panels and diesel generators obsolete or backup solutions. Having been ‘powerless’ for seven years, full- and part-time residents are eagerly placing their orders for electricity meters in preparation. Local government is also erecting an observation tower at Chyasineh, one of the stops along TMLC’s Culture and Nature Trail (CNT – see below).
Inspired by initiatives such as TMLC and activities described above, former residents are gradually reconnecting with and rediscovering Tamagi. One resident has opened the Tamagi Homestay for visitors and and temporary housing for others currently restoring their homes, another with family ties to Tamagi has returned from Hong Kong to build a new house in the village. We anticipate that this is just the start of Tamagi’s rebirth as a thriving community in the foothills of Panchase.
TMLC staff have recently completed a Culture & Nature Trail (CNT) allowing visitors to experience not only the museums’s indoor displays and demonstrations, but also encouraging them to visit local vistas up to 2065 meters or sites of historical significance (initially 10 but more have been proposed) surrounding the museum. Guiding and signage will be in English and Nepali. The second major outside attraction will be four farming terraces, easily accessible 100 meters from the main museum building, where traditional agricultural practices will be demonstrated. Finally, separate housing for TMLC staff without local accommodations has been completed.
In the coming weeks the focus shifts to design of the actual displays in the museum and to demonstrations of traditional handicrafts visitors will enjoy in the TMLC cafe. Stay tuned for updates as we approach the scheduled museum opening in November!