Manangi resemble physionomically and religiously to the Tibetans but they take a pride to believe themselves belonging to the Gurungs who live in the lower hills and valleys. These people inhabit in the pleasant valley of Manang in the upper reaches of the Marsyangdi river northwards in the central Nepal. The Manang district encloses three distinct areas of Neshyang, Nar and Gyasumdo; all of them culturally interrelated. They have agriculture as their foremost recourse of subsistence for living. The harsh and cold climate limits the cultivation to buck wheat, barley, wheat, maize, potatoes and radishes. They also breed sheep and other cattles. Now a days, they are also into trading and other professions.

They have developed considerably in living style since they got special consideration from the His Majesty 's Government of Nepal to trade in the South East Asian countries till 1963/ 1964. They are divided into different exogamus clans. Like the Gurungs in the lower hills, they are divided into Char jat and Sor jat ( group of four and sixteen clans respectively). They practice polyandry i.e. a tradition of two or more brothers marrying one common wife. This tradition , similar to that of other northern Himalayan people, is, however , unlikely among the Gurungs. They arrange for feast, singing and dancing in the wedding.

After death, they either cremate the body; throw it in the river or cut the flesh into pieces and feed them to the vultures. The funeral proceeds as the Lama directs the rituals. Lossar , the new year's celebration is their main festival in the month of February. Similary, archery is arranged in a grand way during the month of April- May.