The Joyous Fort, Our Homeland in Thini

"The Joyous Fort, Our Homeland in Thini" opens the door to a secret corner of the world and invites you in to learn about the rich history and culture of the Thakali people, who call the small village of Thini their home. Written by two authors—with different perspectives—one born and raised in Thini, knowing all the local customs, language, and ancient traditions; the other discovering Thini while working as an American Peace Corps volunteer. This memoir covers 45 years as Renée Thakali discovers the small village and merges her life with the people through a cross-cultural marriage. Within these pages, she details both the times of joy and sadness with her new family, the Thakali family. At first, she struggled to understand some traditions, but she tried hard to be the best daughter in-law despite being immersed in an unfamiliar place and culture. Co-author Pratikshya Thakali grew up in the Thini village, beneath the snowy peaks of Nilgiri and Annapurna in the Himalayan mountains of Nepal, and was naturally curious about everything around her. Her life was full of listening to her elders and learning to cook delicious food, which gave her first hand insight on how the village society relies on kinship relations. Together, Renée and Pratikshya created this historical document for the younger and future generations to help them remember who they are and who came before them in Thini. The small village in the Himalayan mountains is a fascinating place, with close family ties that hold the community together. This photo narrative is a historical document for the younger and future generations to help them remember who they are and who came before them and provide them with background information on important Thakali traditions. These include the Tygunla New Year, which lasts for 2 weeks to celebrate ancestors and elders with daily offerings, and the Yak Dance (fala), which brings immense laughter as young men dressed as wild yaks chase and tease the girls. Thini is a fascinating place with rich cultural traditions that makes everyone feel welcome and as if they are at home.