Gurungs
The most prominent ethnic group in the Annapurna region are the Gurung. Like the Sherpas, they were traditionally farmers and traders but many have moved into the towns and adopted urban professions. They are famed for their cultural performances which are commonly seen on treks and many villagers along the trails will arrange song and dance shows for trekkers during the main season.
For many years, Gurungs have been recruited to serve in the British and Indian Armies in Gurkha regiments. A noted Gurung tradition is the institution of Rodhi where teenagers form communal bonds and become Rodhi club members to socialise, perform neighbourhood tasks, and find marriage partners. The majority of Gurungs are Tibetan Buddhists, but about a third are Hindu.