Thakalis are in many respects an exceptional tribe. Although of Indo- Aryan origin they settle in higher elevations of the Annapurna area, which are normally inhabited by the people of Tibeto- Burmese origin. Unlike other related tribes of the subcontinent, which are all Hindu, they have since centuries adopted Buddhism.
The Kali Gandaki valley was the major route for the salt trade betweenn Tibet and the Indian subcontinent. The Thakalis profited by the trade extraordinary and today they are active in many areas of commercial life. Thanks the richness of Thakalis their houses are more ornate comparing to the houses of other mountain tribes.
