The Limbu (
exonym
An endonym (from Greek: , 'inner' + , 'name'; also known as autonym) is a common, ''native'' name for a geographical place, group of people, individual person, language or dialect, meaning that it is used inside that particular place, group, ...
) or Yakthung (
endonym
An endonym (from Greek: , 'inner' + , 'name'; also known as autonym) is a common, ''native'' name for a geographical place, group of people, individual person, language or dialect, meaning that it is used inside that particular place, group, ...
) are a Sino-Tibetan indigenous tribe (Bhot-Burmeli) of the
Himalaya
The Himalayas, or Himalaya (; ; ), is a mountain range in Asia, separating the plains of the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau. The range has some of the planet's highest peaks, including the very highest, Mount Everest. Over 100 ...
n region of eastern
Nepal
Nepal (; ne, नेपाल ), formerly the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal ( ne,
सङ्घीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्र नेपाल ), is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is mai ...
,
Sikkim
Sikkim (; ) is a state in Northeastern India. It borders the Tibet Autonomous Region of China in the north and northeast, Bhutan in the east, Province No. 1 of Nepal in the west and West Bengal in the south. Sikkim is also close to the Siligur ...
, and western
Bhutan
Bhutan (; dz, འབྲུག་ཡུལ་, Druk Yul ), officially the Kingdom of Bhutan,), is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is situated in the Eastern Himalayas, between China in the north and India in the south. A mountainous ...
.
The original name of the Limbu is ''Yakthung'' () or ''Yakthum''. Limbu males are called ''Yakthungba'' or ''Yakthumba'' and Limbu females are called "Yakthumma" or "Yakthungma". Ancient texts state that "Yakthung" or "Yakthum" is a derivative of Yaksha and some interpret its meaning as the "Yaksha winner". In the Limbu language it means "heroes of the hills" (Yak - hills, thung or thum - heroes or mighty warriors), which connotates with the ancient Kiratis.
Subba is a title given by the Shah Kings only to Limbu village chiefs. Subba was not an indigenous Yakthung terminology, but now the two terms are almost interchangeable. People often debate about the use of term "Subba" as their surname in Limbu tribe. It is important to note that only the village chiefs were allowed to use the term Subba in their name. It was how the village chiefs were distinguished from other villagers in Limbu tribe. Family lineage of the village chiefs are often found with their surname as Subba.
Their history is said to be written in a book called Bangsawoli (Genealogy), also known as Bansawali. Some ancient families have kept copies. There are hundreds of
Limbu clans and tribes
The Limbu nation is made up of hundreds of clans. Each Limbu clans are classified under their Tribe or subnational entity or according to their place of origin. Almost all the Limbu clan names are unique, therefore it is not necessary to specify t ...
, classified under their tribe or subnational entity or according to their place of origin.
The Chinese text ''Po-ou-Yeo-Jing'', translated in 308 AD, refers to the Yi-ti-Sai (barbarians bordering on the north), a name which is an exact equivalent of
The Limbu were also one of the earliest inhabitants of
Sikkim
Sikkim (; ) is a state in Northeastern India. It borders the Tibet Autonomous Region of China in the north and northeast, Bhutan in the east, Province No. 1 of Nepal in the west and West Bengal in the south. Sikkim is also close to the Siligur ...
. The name of the
Indian state
India is a federal union comprising 28 states and 8 union territories, with a total of 36 entities. The states and union territories are further subdivided into districts and smaller administrative divisions.
History
Pre-indepen ...
itself is a combination of two Limbu words: ''su'', which means "new", and ''khyim'', which means "palace" or "house".
The estimated population of the Limbu is 700,000, mainly in the districts of
Sankhuwasabha
Sankhuwasabha District ( ne, सङ्खुवासभा जिल्ला ) is one of 14 districts of Province No. 1 of eastern Nepal. The district's area is 3,480 km2 with a population of 159,203 in 2001 and 158,742 in 2011. ...
,
Tehrathum,
Dhankuta
Dhankuta ( ne, धनकुटा ) is a hill town and the headquarter of Koshi Zone located in Dhankuta District of Eastern Nepal. According to 2011 Nepal census, it has population of 26,440 inhabitants.
History
Until about 1963 Dhankuta Ba ...
,
Taplejung
Taplejung District ( ne, ताप्लेजुङ जिल्ला ) is one of 77 districts of Nepal and one of the 14 districts of Province No. 1. It is remotely located in the Himalayas in Eastern Nepal with Tibet to the north across the ...
,
Morang
Morang District ( ne, मोरङ जिल्ला ) is located in Province No. 1 in eastern Nepal. It is an Outer Terai district. It borders with Bihar, India to the South, Jhapa to the East, Dhankuta and Panchthar to the North, and Sunsar ...
,
Sunsari
, nickname =
, native_name_lang =
, image_skyline =
, image_size =
, image_alt =
, image_caption = Night view of Dharan, Itahari & Tarahara :: Barahakshetra Temple: BPKIHS, Dharan : Dharan Clock Tower
, image_map = Sunsari district lo ...
,
Jhapa
Jhapa ( ne, झापा जिल्ला; ) is a district of Province No. 1 in eastern Nepal named after a Rajbanshi word "Jhapa" meaning "to cover" (verb). The latest official data, the 2021 Nepal Census, puts the total population of the d ...
,
Panchthar
Panchthar district ( ne, पाँचथर जिल्ला) is one of 14 districts of Province No. 1 of eastern hilly region of Nepal. It is a Hill district of eastern Nepal. The district covers of area. The 2011 census counted 191,817 popu ...
, and
Ilam in
Nepal
Nepal (; ne, नेपाल ), formerly the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal ( ne,
सङ्घीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्र नेपाल ), is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is mai ...
. These are all within the
Mechi
Mechi ( ne, मेची अञ्चल ) was one of the fourteen zones of Nepal until the restructuring of zones to provinces, comprising four districts; namely Ilam, Jhapa, Panchthar and Taplejung. Its headquarters are at Ilam. It comes und ...
and
Kosi Zone
Kosi or Koshi ( ne, कोसी अञ्चल, ne, कोशी अञ्चल ) was one of the fourteen zones of Nepal until the restructure of zones to provinces. The headquarters of Kosi Zone was Biratnagar which was also its largest cit ...
s or "
Limbuwan
Limbuwan is an area of the Himalayan region historically made up of 10 Limbu people, Limbu kingdoms, now part of eastern Nepal. Limbuwan means "abode of the Limbus" or "Land of the Limbus".
In modern times, a political movement in Nepal has deve ...
". Portions of the Limbu population are also located in the eastern and western districts of Sikkim. A smaller population is scattered throughout the cities of
Darjeeling
Darjeeling (, , ) is a town and municipality in the northernmost region of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located in the Eastern Himalayas, it has an average elevation of . To the west of Darjeeling lies the easternmost province of Nepal, ...
, and
Kalimpong
Kalimpong (Hindi: कलिम्पोंग) is a town and the headquarters of an eponymous district in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is located at an average elevation of . The town is the headquarters of the Kalimpong district. The re ...
in
West Bengal
West Bengal (, Bengali: ''Poshchim Bongo'', , abbr. WB) is a state in the eastern portion of India. It is situated along the Bay of Bengal, along with a population of over 91 million inhabitants within an area of . West Bengal is the fourt ...
,
Assam
Assam (; ) is a state in northeastern India, south of the eastern Himalayas along the Brahmaputra and Barak River valleys. Assam covers an area of . The state is bordered by Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh to the north; Nagaland and Manipur ...
,
Nagaland
Nagaland () is a landlocked state in the northeastern region of India. It is bordered by the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh to the north, Assam to the west, Manipur to the south and the Sagaing Region of Myanmar to the east. Its capital cit ...
,
Bhutan
Bhutan (; dz, འབྲུག་ཡུལ་, Druk Yul ), officially the Kingdom of Bhutan,), is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is situated in the Eastern Himalayas, between China in the north and India in the south. A mountainous ...
, and
Myanmar
Myanmar, ; UK pronunciations: US pronunciations incl. . Note: Wikipedia's IPA conventions require indicating /r/ even in British English although only some British English speakers pronounce r at the end of syllables. As John C. Wells, Joh ...
. Some have migrated to the
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
,
Hong Kong
Hong Kong ( (US) or (UK); , ), officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China ( abbr. Hong Kong SAR or HKSAR), is a city and special administrative region of China on the eastern Pearl River Delt ...
, the
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
, and other countries.
History
Language
Limbu is one of the few
Sino-Tibetan languages
Sino-Tibetan, also cited as Trans-Himalayan in a few sources, is a family of more than 400 languages, second only to Indo-European in number of native speakers. The vast majority of these are the 1.3 billion native speakers of Chinese languages. ...
of the Central
Himalayas
The Himalayas, or Himalaya (; ; ), is a mountain range in Asia, separating the plains of the Indian subcontinent from the Tibetan Plateau. The range has some of the planet's highest peaks, including the very highest, Mount Everest. Over 100 ...
that possesses its own pre-20th century scripts.
Culture
![Limbuwomendrinktongba](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/Limbuwomendrinktongba.jpg)
Limbu practice many of their own life cycle rituals. They believe that lineage is not transmitted patrilineally. Rather, a woman inherits her mother's gods, and when she marries and lives with her husband she brings with her the deities that will then be recognized as the household deities.
Limbu bury their dead, and practice and observe death rituals for two to three days. During a death ceremony, they put the head of the dead person in a chares ko thal (Brass bowl), and coin on the forehead. They block the nose and ear and put alcohol on the lips of the dead body. Nikwasamma is a death ritual done to cleanse the house by Phedangma. Relatives, neighbours, and visitors bring money as respect and put an offering on the top of the dead body. Sons of dead person shave their head and eyebrows in respect for the body of the dead. They are recognized as the new heir in the family. The sons bury the dead body, covering it with white cloth, in a wooden box. The length of the mourning period varies depending on the gender of the deceased.
Weddings, mourning, gift exchanges, and conflict resolution involve consumption of alcohol, especially the Limbu traditional beer popularly known as thee which is drunk from a container called
tongba
Tongba ( ne, तोङबा ) is a millet-based alcoholic beverage found in the eastern mountainous region of Nepal and neighbouring Indian regions of Sikkim and Darjeeling. It is the traditional drink of the Limbu people as well as people of ...
. Dances are arranged for visitors to the village. These affairs give young Limbu girls and boys a chance to meet and enjoy dancing and drinking.
Attire and ornaments
![Dhannach](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/Dhannach.JPG)
The traditional dress of the Limbus are mekhli and taga.
While performing mangsewa (God+worship), Yakthung people wear mekhli and taga, white in colour, which symbolizes purity.
Dhaka
Dhaka ( or ; bn, ঢাকা, Ḍhākā, ), formerly known as Dacca, is the capital and largest city of Bangladesh, as well as the world's largest Bengali-speaking city. It is the eighth largest and sixth most densely populated city ...
is the traditional fabric of the Limbu which woven in geometric patterns in a handloom. The art of making Dhaka is taught by one generation to another. Limbu men wear
dhaka topi
The Dhaka topi ( ne, ढाका टोपी ), or Nepali topi, is a hat which is popular in Nepal, and which forms part of Nepalese national dress, worn by men on celebrations.
History
''Dhaka ko Topi'' literately means a "headgear made ...
(hat) and scarves, and Limbu women wear dhaka saree, mekhli, blouse and shawl.
Female dress and ornament
* Mekhli: It is a long dress worn with a horizontal strip of cloth (), with collars crossing over or in a V-neck style(Laghea).
* Chunglokek/sunghamba: It is a type of blouse.
* Chaubandi Cholo- It is a type of blouse with collars overlapping one another.
* Sim 'gunyo' in Nepali: It is a long strip of cloth wrapped around like a skirt.
* Phaoee : It is a kind of
waist belt.
Limbu women are known for their gold jewellery. Besides samyang (gold), they wear yuppa (silver), luung (glass stones), ponche (coral/amber), and mudhin (turquoise). Most Limbu ornaments are inspired by nature. Some jewelry types are:
* Samyanfung (Gold flower): It is a huge circular disc of gold. The common design features a coral in the centre. Samyangfung represents the sun.
* Nessey ( ne>nekho'' ear ''+se>''to bulge)''- It is a large circular flattened gold
earring
An earring is a piece of jewelry attached to the ear via a piercing in the earlobe or another external part of the ear (except in the case of clip earrings, which clip onto the lobe). Earrings have been worn by people in different civilizations an ...
. Common designs includes water springs with coral or glass stones.
* Laskari: It is gold earrings worn continuously on the ear lobes in the shape of leaves, diamonds etc.
* Namloyee or yogakpa: It is large silver necklace in the shape of a square or circle embedded with coral stones,turquoise. It is also known as chandrahaara. Similar to Tibetan ghau.
* Yangyichi or Reji: It is a long necklace with silver coins.
* Sesephung (Bright Flower): It is a forehead piece with coral moon.
* Yarling: It is lotus bud shaped earrings.
* Pongwari or kantha: It is necklace with golden beads and red felt.
* Hukpangi: It is a type of silver bangle.
* Swagep: It is a
finger ring
A ring is a round band, usually made of metal, worn as ornamental jewelry. The term "ring" by itself always denotes jewellery worn on the finger; when worn as an ornament elsewhere, the body part is specified within the term, e.g., earrings, neck ...
.
* Ponche: It is a red coral bead.
Besides these, there are many other jewelleries worn by Limbu women.
Male dress and ornaments
* Paga: It is a headwear that is pointed and ties at the back with long strips.
* Ningkheng: It is kind of a muffler.
* Phaoee : It is kind of a waist belt
* Sandokpa: It is an upper body dress.
* Sungrehba: It is a coat-like upper body dress.
* Lapetta and pagappa: It is an upper body dress.
* Paohao: It is a main body dress.
* Hangchang: It is an upper body dress for royal family.
* Hangpen: It is a lower body dress for royal family.
This form of clothing was worn until Nepal enforced a "one religion, one dress, one language" policy. The Yakthung of Sikkim still wear traditional Limbu clothing. Many efforts are being made by groups such as Yakthung Chumlung to raise awareness about the cultural dress and its heritage.
Limbu traditional architecture
The house of the Limbu is a symbolic representation of a feminine character, Yuma — a goddess of the Limbu community. The details of the windows and doors are embroidered with wood carvings depicting different flowers which are used by the Limbu during rituals. Some decorative embroideries done in the wood carvings of the door and windows of the house are the direct representation of gold jewelry worn by Limbu women. In a traditional house of the Limbu, the skirting of the wall is generally painted manually with red mud paint. This is also a symbolic representation of the ''patuka'' or the belt worn by the Limbu women.
The major distinct element of the house in the ''muring-sitlam'' or the main pillar/column of the house which is in the centre of the house in the ground floor. This pillar is generally believed by the Limbu people as the shrine where Yuma goddess resides in the house. Thus, to pay their gratitude they perform ritualistic prayers and offerings around the pillar, usually twice a year.
These houses can be found at Eastern Nepal and western part of Sikkim, India. These houses are similar to other communities due to acculturation between different communities living in the vicinity. The evolution of the form and spaces of the houses have been inspired by the everyday lifestyle and culture of the people which is similar in many communities. Therefore, nowadays a Limbu house is difficult to identify through an exterior perspective.
Use of geometrical shapes as circle, triangle and square in certain pattern, painted with different colors can be found on the facade of the buildings which is only done by limbu tribe. Besides that, display of the symbol called ''Silam-sakma'' (a ritualistic element used by the ''phedangmas'' or tribal priests) in the house elevation has been a symbol/logo for identifying with the Limbu community. This symbol is diamond shaped and has 9 concentric diamond layers supported by two axes at the centre, one vertical and one horizontal. These days, this symbol is seen in places like the entry gates, balcony railing of the house, etc. It is also worn by the community people on their left chest during an event.
Currently, the traditional houses are endangered. People are also unable to bear expenses for wood carvings for the embroideries which has resulted in the extinction of local craftsmen and hence the traditional design itself.
File:Limboo house in Hee- kengbari village in West Sikkim, Sikkim, India.jpg, Limbu house in Hee- kengbari village in West Sikkim
Gyalshing District or Geyzing District is a list of Indian districts, district of the Indian state of Sikkim. Its headquarter is Geyzing, also known as Gyalshing. The district is a favourite with trekkers due to the high elevations. Other impor ...
, Sikkim
Sikkim (; ) is a state in Northeastern India. It borders the Tibet Autonomous Region of China in the north and northeast, Bhutan in the east, Province No. 1 of Nepal in the west and West Bengal in the south. Sikkim is also close to the Siligur ...
, India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...
.
File:Sikuwa(in Nepali term) .jpg, Sikuwa(in Nepali term) or a verandah
A veranda or verandah is a roofed, open-air gallery or porch, attached to the outside of a building. A veranda is often partly enclosed by a railing and frequently extends across the front and sides of the structure.
Although the form ''veran ...
of the house.
File:"Silam-Sakma" a symbol identifying the Limboo tribe.jpg, "Silam-Sakma" is the name of the symbol/logo that identifies the Limbu tribal community.
File:"Muring-Sitlam" or the main pillar.jpg, Muring-Sitlam" or the main pillar of the house.
Flag
The Limbu people have their own flag. The blue represents the bodies of water and the sky, the white represents air and peace, and the red represents the earth and pure blood of the Limbu people. The sun in the centre represents various Limbu spiritual practices and everyday living. The use and recognition of the flag ended in the eighteenth century during the Gorkha invasion.
Limbuwan
Limbuwan is an area of the Himalayan region historically made up of 10 Limbu people, Limbu kingdoms, now part of eastern Nepal. Limbuwan means "abode of the Limbus" or "Land of the Limbus".
In modern times, a political movement in Nepal has deve ...
organisations use the flag in Limbuwan laaje areas.
Lifestyle
The Limbu practice subsistence farming traditionally. Rice and maize comprises their principal crops. Although there is an abundance of arable land, productivity is greatly limited by inefficient technology. Excess crops are often traded for food that cannot be grown in the region. Limbu women weave
Dhaka fabric cloth on their traditional small hand looms made from bamboo and wood. In the olden days, the Limbu were skilled in silk farming. The Kiratis were also known as silk traders.
Wedding practices
Limbu generally marry within their own community. A Limbu is not allowed to marry within their own clans for up to 3 generations back to ensure that they are not related. Cross-cousin marriage is not allowed in Limbu culture. Marriage between a man and a woman outside the clan is also possible either by arrangement or by mutual consent of the man and woman in question. Being matriarchal tribe, females are given due respect.
The marriages are mostly arranged by parents. Asking for a woman's hand is an important ceremony. In that system, the woman can ask for anything, including any amount of gold, silver, etc. This is practiced to confirm that the man is financially secure enough to keep the bride happy. A few days after the wedding, the man's family members have to visit the woman's house with a piglet and some alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, depending upon the financial status of his house. The most important ceremonies of a Limbu wedding take place in the groom's house rather than in the bride's because the bride has to stay with her husband. There are two special dances in this ceremony, one is called ''
Yalakma'' or ''dhan nach'' in Nepali (rice harvest dance) and "Kelangma" or ''
Chyabrung
The ''Chyabrung'' also ''Kay/Ke'' in Limbu language is a traditional drum of the Limbu community in Nepal, Sikkim, Darjeeling hills and North-East India.The Chyabrung is a hollow oblong wooden drum about a two meters in diameter and two feet in l ...
'' in Nepali. The Yalakma is characterized by men and women dancing in a slow circle, whereas the Kelangma consists of complex footwork synchronized with the beat of the drums. Anyone can join the dance, which can last for many hours. The Yalakma can also be a celebration of the harvest season or other social occasions.
It is conventionally said that the customs and traditions of Limbus were established in the distant past by Sawa Yethang (council of eight kings).
Religion and festivals
The Limbu follow the social rules and regulation of
Mundhum
The Mundhum (also known as ''Peylan'') is the ancient religious scripture and folk literature of the Limbu people. It is an ancient, indigenous religion of Nepal. Mundhum means "the power of great strength" in the Limbu language. The Mundhum cover ...
oral 'scripture' and a religious book. The high god of the Limbu is called
Tagera Ningwaphumang
Tagera Ningwaphumang is the main traditional cultural god of Limbu community. She is often identified as the "Supreme Body of Knowledge" or the "Creator of the World.P.20 The Himalayan Woman: A Study of Limbu Women in Marriage and Divorce By Rex ...
, which may be translated simply as "Supreme Body of Knowledge". Their God Tagera Ningwaphuma is described as a forceful power the creator of life on earth. In earthly form, Tagera Ningwaphuma is worship as the goddess Yuma Sammang and her male counterpart Theba Sammang. The deity Yuma (literally: "Grandmother" or "Mother Earth") known as "Yuma Samyo" or "Niwaphuma" is the most important and popular among some Limbu and is worshiped in all occasions. Yuma is the mother of all the Limbus, therefore one regards his or her mother as a goddess. They also have many different classes of ritual specialists, of which "Phedangma", "Yema/Yeba" , and "Shamba" are some. Their religion is enshrined in the evergreen Cynodondactylon (Dubo) grass.
Traditionally, the Limbu bury their dead, but due to the influence of Hinduism, cremation is becoming popular. The Limbu people also have their own clergy, such as Phedangma , Samba, Yeba (male) Yeba-Yema (female). Limbu people follow Kirat religion. Some limbu have converted to Christianity. A very different reformist tradition was established by the Limbu guru
Phalgunanda
Mahaguru Phalgunanda () also known as "Mahaguru Phalgunanda" or Phalgunanda Lingden (1885–1949) was a leader of Kirat religion in Nepal Kirat people of Nepal.
Early life
Falgunanda Lingden was born on 10 November 1885 in Ilam district of Nep ...
, who established the 'Satyahang' religion.
Traditional music and singing styles
![Kirati Limbu women performing Kelang dance](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f8/Kirati_Limbu_women_performing_Kelang_dance.jpg)
Limbu have a strong belief in "Yumawad". Yumawad is a type of religious scripture which has been kept alive by their religious leaders and handed down verbally from generation to generation. Some of the retellings of Yumawad are also included in Limbu traditional music with social stories, dreams, and everyday life. There has been a rich tradition of the Limbu singing their folk songs. Their folk songs can be divided into the following groups:
# ''Khyali'' - a conversational song in which young lash and lads sing in very poetic expressions and in a very sweet tone.
# Traditional Love Songs -
## ''Sakpa
Palam
Palam (phonetically Pālam) is a major residential colony located in South West Delhi. The Indira Gandhi International Airport, formerly known as ''Palam Airport'', the main airport of National Capital Region is situated here. It is one of 70 Vidh ...
Samlo'' - This song is sung during the Kusakpa Yaalang dance in a fast beat.
## ''Kemba Palam Samlo'' - This song is sung during the Kemba Yeaaˀlang dance in a slow beat.
## ''Domke Akma Palam Samlo'' - It is sung when doing the normal chores and also during the Domke Akma dance.
# ''Hakpare Samlo'' - this song is sung by middle-aged men and women who have interest in Mundhum and who are well versed in it. One can find spiritual and worldly specialties in this song.
# ''Nisammang Sewa Samlo'' - This song is sung during religious functions. It is a devotional song. Dancing is an important aspect of life among Limbus. Based on acting style, the following types of dances are performed:
## Dance performed after origin of life: This type of dance is known as Ke Lang or
Chyabrung
The ''Chyabrung'' also ''Kay/Ke'' in Limbu language is a traditional drum of the Limbu community in Nepal, Sikkim, Darjeeling hills and North-East India.The Chyabrung is a hollow oblong wooden drum about a two meters in diameter and two feet in l ...
dance. The dance imitates the actions of animals, insects and any form of living beings.
## Agricultural dance: Under this type of dance there are -
### ''Yea Kakma''- This dance is performed in the evening after the crops are reaped.
### ''Damke Akme''- This dance is performed while sowing crops.
## War dance: This form of dance is known as 'Nahangma '. It is performed during "Nahangma "- their religious function. Before Nahangma dance, Manggena traditional ritual is performed at home and all the blood relatives, cousins are present. During Manggena, stone refer as god with red tika offered is put on banana leaf. A large adult black homegrown pig is killed and present to phedangba. A
Junglefowl
Junglefowl are the only four living species of bird from the genus ''Gallus'' in the bird order Galliformes, and occur in parts of South and Southeast Asia. They diverged from their common ancestor about 4–6 million years ago.
Although origin ...
is given to each person according to match with person's age and gender same as of their
Junglefowl
Junglefowl are the only four living species of bird from the genus ''Gallus'' in the bird order Galliformes, and occur in parts of South and Southeast Asia. They diverged from their common ancestor about 4–6 million years ago.
Although origin ...
. Person who cannot be present due to problems will be done by their closest family member on their behalf. Phedangba say vision of each person when they present their own
Junglefowl
Junglefowl are the only four living species of bird from the genus ''Gallus'' in the bird order Galliformes, and occur in parts of South and Southeast Asia. They diverged from their common ancestor about 4–6 million years ago.
Although origin ...
and later Phedangma beheaded the Junglefowl and sprinkle the blood. They eat their own charcoal burned Junglefowl liver with salt eaten with rice. The rest of meat are prepared for meal Bhutuwa or mixed yangben with rice for dinner. After the Manggena, Nahangma is performed that his spirit has become strong and reached at the top of Chuklung and returned from Chuklung. Chuklung means top of Himalayas. However, this can be done by only those who have no father. In this dance, only adult males and "Shamani" priests can take part. During the dance,they carry a
Phedza in their right hand and a domesticated young adult male
Junglefowl
Junglefowl are the only four living species of bird from the genus ''Gallus'' in the bird order Galliformes, and occur in parts of South and Southeast Asia. They diverged from their common ancestor about 4–6 million years ago.
Although origin ...
in their left hand or sword in their right hand and a shield in their left hand, or an arrow in their right hand and a bow in their left hand.
The traditional ritual are done according to the tribes and clans. Some tribes won't eat chicken or buff or mutton while some tribes have different way in celebrating war dance ritual.
## Historical dance: In this dance form, the historical war of ten Limbu fought in Aambepojoma Kamketlungma is depicted.
## Mysterious and ancient dance performed by Shamani priests: this type of dance is known as
Yagrangsing, Phungsok Lang, Tongsing Lang. The dance is performed only by the Shamani priests.
Traditional food
Alcohol is significantly and religiously important to the Limbu culture. Limbu usually made their traditional dish from homegrown domesticated livestock meats like pork, fish and yak over
factory farming
Intensive animal farming or industrial livestock production, also known by its opponents as factory farming and macro-farms, is a type of intensive agriculture, specifically an approach to animal husbandry designed to maximize production, while ...
. They are also domesticated for religious purpose. In general, they consume
dhal bhat
Dal bhat ( ne, दालभात, ur, دال بھات, bn, ডাল ভাত, gu, દાળ ભાત, mr, डाळ भात, as, দাইল ভাত ''dail bhat'' / ডালি ভাত ''dali bhat'') is a traditional meal from th ...
tarkari with pickle. Dhal (beans soup), bhat (rice), tarkari (curry) and different kinds of achar(pickle). Limbu people always use
Phedza to prepare meats. Famous Limbu cuisines are
* Chembikeek sumbak (oil-fried kinema with spices), (Kinema: fermented soyabean)
*
Chhurpi
Chhurpi () or ''durkha'' is a traditional cheese consumed in Tibet. The two varieties of chhurpi are a soft variety (consumed usually as a side dish with rice) and a hard variety (chewed like betel).
Preparation
Chhurpi is prepared in a local da ...
(made of Yak, buttermilk)
*
Filinge achar (Niger seed pickle)
*
Gundruk
''Gundruk'' ( ne, गुन्द्रुक ) is a fermented leafy green vegetable originated in Nepal. Alongside Nepal, it is also popular in Gorkhali or Nepalese diaspora households in India, Bhutan, Myanmar and other parts of the world. Th ...
Nepalese (fermented leafy vegetables with soup)
*
Kaan sadeko (fried pork ears)
* Khareng (maize/ millet/ wheat roti baked and cooked)
* Khoreng (Baked roti made from wheat/ millet/ buckwheat/ riceflour)
*
Kinema
''Kinema'' () is a fermented soybean food, prepared by the Nepali communities of the Eastern Himalayas region: Eastern Nepal, and Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Sikkim regions of India. Kinema is a traditional food of the Limbu people, as well as p ...
(fermented beans with soup)
* Lunghakcha (baked, maize flour rolled in maize khosela)
*
Macha ko siddra (dried river fish)
* Mandokpenaa thee (fermented millet beverage served with Tongba)
* Mohi sumbak (oil-fried mohi with spices)
*
Mula ko acchar (radish pickle)
* Nambong muchhi (Silam mixed with chilli, dry pickle)
* Pena manda (millet flour cooked in more water)
* Phando (chutney made from mix of soybean and chilli powder)
* Phanokeek sumbak (oil-fried fermented bamboo shoots with spices)
* Phung khey sejonwa (maize/millet distilled liquor)
* Poponda (finger millet flour wrapped in leaves)
*
aksa Dameko
Aqsa'', ''Aksa, al-Aksa or al-Aqsa ( ar, الأقصى, link=no, translit=al-Aqṣā) usually refer to either:
*al-Aqsa Mosque compound, also known as , a religious site in Jerusalem located on the Temple Mount
*, also known as the Qibli Mosque, ...
(Pan-seared pork)
* Pork sekuwa (spicy chopped)
* Sagee sumbak (neetle tender shots, flower/fruits curry)
*
Sakhekya (dry meat beef)
*
Sargyang (pork blood intestine)
*
Sekuwa
Sekuwa is meat roasted in a natural wood fire in a traditional Nepalese country style. While the meat is still raw, it is mixed with natural herbs and spices and other ingredients. Sekuwa can be made with pork, lamb, goat or chicken, or a mixture. ...
(pork, chicken, vegetables skewers)
*
Sibligaan (wild edible greens with bitter taste and high in antioxidant)
*
Sijongwaa aara
* Sigolya and Penagolya (Baked, millet or barley flour rolled)
*
Sungur ko khutta daal (pork feet in cooked lentil soup)
* Sura-keek sumbak (oil-fried moldy cheese with spices)
* Sura sumbak (oil-fried cheese with spices)
*
Tongba
Tongba ( ne, तोङबा ) is a millet-based alcoholic beverage found in the eastern mountainous region of Nepal and neighbouring Indian regions of Sikkim and Darjeeling. It is the traditional drink of the Limbu people as well as people of ...
traditional drink
* Wamyuk (hen's inner feathers, liver, hands, wings, intestine and spices curry)
* Yakhoo Kusee muchee (seed of pumpkin chilli)
*
Yangben
Central Yambasa or Nuasua (Nuaswa) is a Southern Bantoid language of Cameroon
Cameroon (; french: Cameroun, ff, Kamerun), officially the Republic of Cameroon (french: République du Cameroun, links=no), is a country in west-central Afri ...
(wild edible lichen)
* Yangben-Faksa (Pork Curry with Yangben)
* Yangben sumbak (pork blood liver with yangben)
* Yumé (bhutuwa, a religious Mangena food meats cooked in blood)
There are some taboos while eating the foods. They use a variety of plants and herbs for medicine. Limbu always welcome their guests with foods,
Tongba
Tongba ( ne, तोङबा ) is a millet-based alcoholic beverage found in the eastern mountainous region of Nepal and neighbouring Indian regions of Sikkim and Darjeeling. It is the traditional drink of the Limbu people as well as people of ...
(traditional beverage millet beer),
Rakshi
Raksi (Devanagari:रक्सी) or Rakshi (Bantawa language: Hengmawa/Hengma, Limbu language: Sijongwaa aara, Nepal Bhasa: aila) is the Nepali term for a traditional distilled alcoholic beverage in Nepal, India (Darjeeling, Sikkim) and Tibet ...
(traditional alcoholic beverage),
Lassi
Lassi () is a regional name for buttermilk, the traditional dahi (yogurt)–based drink, consumed in the South Asian region. Lassi is a blend of yogurt, water, spices, and sometimes fruit. Salty lassi is similar to doogh, while modern sweet la ...
(yoghurt milk drink ), water and homemade fruit juices.
Folk musical instruments
Limbu musical instruments include the following:
[Sikkim, Front Cover By Kumar Suresh Singh, Anthropological Survey of India by Seagull Books, 1993, Ethnology, 249 pages, P.109]
*Chyabrung
*Yalambar Baja
*Chethya/Yethala
*Mephrama
*Miklakom
*Niyari Hongsing Ke
*Negra
*Phakwa
*The Phamuk is a melody instrument of Limbus which includes three bamboo pipes each about 4 cm thick are attached together side by side.
*Phenjekom
*Puttungey
*Simikla
*Taa is made of brass, 25 cm in diameter and one pair of cymbals weighs one kilo. It is played by unmarried Limbu women in Ke Lang.
*Tetlafakwa
*Ting
*Tungeba
*Ungdung
*Yea Pongey
Traditional sports
For the Limbu people, Archery has always been considered as the main traditional sport. Archery often involves religious demonstrations and rituals. Historically, Limbu
cavalry
Historically, cavalry (from the French word ''cavalerie'', itself derived from "cheval" meaning "horse") are soldiers or warriors who fight mounted on horseback. Cavalry were the most mobile of the combat arms, operating as light cavalry ...
archers were important when resisting invasions before the pre-Nepal era. The word ''Limbu'' itself came from the word ''Lim-pfungh'' which in translation means "Shooting-Arrows" or "Act of archery".
There are legends about the beginning of the
Limbuwan–Gorkha War. In these legends, a Gorkha military general met a Yakthung hunter in a forest. When the general asked the hunter about his presence and what he was doing, the Yakthung hunter replied "Lim-pfungh". The Gorkha army later experienced the fierceness from the Yakthung -Tribes' horseback archers for years during the Limbuwan–Gorkha War. Thus, the name "Limbu" was recorded on the papers of the Gorkhas to describe the Yakthung people. However, after the success of the Gorkha invasion, horse breeding and keeping declined swiftly in Limbu territories.
Bare-hand Wrestling has also been practised among the Limbu men during festivals. This was also used to settle personal matters after a festive drinking in which the losing wrestler would have to pay the winner by buying him a drink or inviting him to his house for a drink of traditional
tongba
Tongba ( ne, तोङबा ) is a millet-based alcoholic beverage found in the eastern mountainous region of Nepal and neighbouring Indian regions of Sikkim and Darjeeling. It is the traditional drink of the Limbu people as well as people of ...
. ''naːnt͡ɕʰiŋma'' is the term for wrestling in Yakthung-pan .
Notable Limbu people
See also
*
Limbuwan
Limbuwan is an area of the Himalayan region historically made up of 10 Limbu people, Limbu kingdoms, now part of eastern Nepal. Limbuwan means "abode of the Limbus" or "Land of the Limbus".
In modern times, a political movement in Nepal has deve ...
**
History of Limbuwan History of Limbuwan (Nepali: लिम्बुवानको ईतिहास) is characterized by the close interaction of Limbuwan with its neighbours independent and semi-independent rule characterized by autonomy for ...
*
Limbu Festivals
List of festivals celebrated in Nepal:
Main festivals
Dashain
''Dashain'' ( ne, दशैं , also ''Baḍādaśhãin'' or ''Bijayā Daśamī'' ne, बिजया दशमी) is the 15-day-long festival and holidays of Nepal. It is the ...
**
Chasok Tangnam
Chasok Tangnam is a festival of the Limbu people which falls on a full moon day of the month of ''Senchengla'' or the Mangsir month of the Nepali calendar Nepali calendar can refer to:
* Vikram Samvat, the official calendar in Nepal
* Nepal Sambat ...
*
Kiranti languages
The Kiranti languages are a major family of Sino-Tibetan languages spoken in Nepal and India (notably Sikkim, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and Kumai) by the Kirati people.
External relationships
George van Driem had formerly proposed that the Kira ...
*
Limbu language
Limbu (Limbu: , ''yakthuṅ pan'') is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken by the Limbu people of Nepal and Northeastern India (particularly Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Sikkim, Assam and Nagaland) as well as expatriate communities in Bhutan. The Limbu refe ...
**
Sirijunga script
*
Rambahadur Limbu
Rambahadur Limbu, ( ne, रामबहादुर लिम्बू; born 8 July 1939) is a Nepalese Gurkha recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwe ...
*
Tongba
Tongba ( ne, तोङबा ) is a millet-based alcoholic beverage found in the eastern mountainous region of Nepal and neighbouring Indian regions of Sikkim and Darjeeling. It is the traditional drink of the Limbu people as well as people of ...
beverage
*
Limbu Clans and Tribes
The Limbu nation is made up of hundreds of clans. Each Limbu clans are classified under their Tribe or subnational entity or according to their place of origin. Almost all the Limbu clan names are unique, therefore it is not necessary to specify t ...
*
Kirat Yakthung Chumlung
Kirat Yakthung Chumlung ( Nepali: किरात याक्थुङ चुम्लुङ) (1989) is a social organization of the Limbu indigenous ethnic group of Nepal.
See also
* Kirat
The Kirati people, also spelled as Kirant or Ki ...
social organization
*
Mundhum
The Mundhum (also known as ''Peylan'') is the ancient religious scripture and folk literature of the Limbu people. It is an ancient, indigenous religion of Nepal. Mundhum means "the power of great strength" in the Limbu language. The Mundhum cover ...
religion
*
Ethnic groups in Nepal
Ethnic groups in Nepal are delineated using language, ethnic identity or the caste system in Nepal. They are categorized by common culture and endogamy. Endogamy carves out ethnic groups in Nepal.
Linguistic groups
Nepal's diverse linguistic he ...
*
Ethnic groups in Bhutan
There are numerous ethnic groups in Bhutan, but the Ngalop people who speak the Dzongkha language constitute a majority of the Bhutanese population. The Bhutanese are of four main ethnic groups, which themselves are not necessarily exclusive: the ...
*
Indigenous peoples of Sikkim
The indigenous people of Sikkim are the Lepcha people, Lepchas; the naturalized ethnic populations of Limbu people, Limbus, Bhutias, Kirati people, Kiratis, Indian Gorkha, Indian Gorkhas or Indian Nepali/Nepalese who have an enduring presence in s ...
References
Further reading
*
* Perumal Samy P Limbu in LSI Sikkim Part-I Page Nos.219-293 Published by Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner India, Ministry of Home
Affairs, Government of India, New Delhi
External links
*
*
ttps://web.archive.org/web/20120907103221/http://www.limbulibrary.com.np/pdf/HISTORY%20%26%20CULTURE-Iman.pdf History of kirat - historian authored by Iman Singh Chemjong, Nepal.www.censusindia.gov.in
{{DEFAULTSORT:Limbu People
Himalayan peoples
Sino-Tibetan-speaking people
Demographics of Nepal
Ethnic groups in Nepal
Indigenous peoples of Nepal
Ethnic groups in India
Ethnic groups in Bhutan
Nepalese culture
Culture of Sikkim
Ethnic groups in Northeast India
Ethnic groups in South Asia
Ethnic groups divided by international borders