pronounced as /notice/
| Group: | Limbu, Yakthung, Subba |
| Pop1: |  Nepal 414,704[1] |
| Pop2: |  India 100,550[2] |
| Region3: | Sikkim |
| Pop3: | 53,703 (2011)[3] |
| Region4: | West Bengal |
| Pop4: | 46,847 (2011)[4] |
| Region5: | assam |
| Pop5: | 36,000 |
| Native Name: | ᤕᤠᤰᤌᤢᤱ लिम्बु |
| Native Name Lang: | lif |
| Languages: | Limbu language, limbu script ᤕᤠᤰᤌᤢᤱ ᤐᤠᤴ |
| Religions: | Majority:kiratism81% minority: Hinduism14%christianity 5% |
The Limbu (exonym) / Yakthung (endonym) or (Limbu: ᤕᤠᤰᤌᤢᤱ) are a Tibeto-Burman ethnolinguistic group indigenous to the Himalayan region of eastern Nepal, Sikkim, Assam, Nagaland, northern West Bengal, and western Bhutan.[5] [6] [7]
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".[8] In the Limbu language (ᤕᤠᤰᤌᤢᤱ ᤐᤠᤴ) it means "heroes of the hills" (Yak – hills, thung or thum – heroes or mighty warriors).[9] [10] [11]
Subba is a title given by the Shah Kings only to Limbu village chiefs.[12] 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/Yakthung 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.[13] There are hundreds of Limbu clans and tribes, 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 [14] [15] The Limbu/Yakthung, were also one of the earliest inhabitants of Sikkim.[16] [17] Yakthung are known as Tsong in Sikkim and they are original inhabitant of Sikkim. The name of the Indian state itself is a combination of two Limbu words: su, which means "new", and khyim, which means "palace" or "house".[18]
The estimated population of the Limbu is 700,000, mainly in the districts of Sankhuwasabha, Tehrathum, Dhankuta, Taplejung, Morang, Sunsari, Jhapa, Panchthar, and Ilam in Nepal. These are all within the Koshi Province or "Limbuwan". 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, and Kalimpong in West Bengal, Assam, Nagaland, Bhutan, and Myanmar. Some have migrated to the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, the United States, and other countries.
Limbu (Yakthung) is one of the few Sino-Tibetan languages of the Central Himalayas that possesses its own pre-20th century scripts.
The house of the Limbu is a symbolic representation of a goddess of the Limbu community called yuma. 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.
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.[19] In the olden days, the Limbu were skilled in silk farming.[20] The Yakthungs (limbus) were also known as silk traders.[21]
See main article: Limbu clans and tribes.
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" pronounced as /ke laːŋma/ or Chyabrung pronounced as /t͡ɕjabruŋ/ in Nepali. The Yalakma pronounced as /jaˀlaːkma/ is characterized by men and women dancing in a slow circle, whereas the Kelangma pronounced as /ke laːŋma/ consists of complex footwork synchronized with the beat of the drums. Anyone can join the dance, which can last for many hours. The Yalakma pronounced as /jaˀlaːkma/ 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 pronounced as /sawa jethaŋ/ (council of eight kings).
See main article: Mundhum. The Limbu follow the social rules and regulation of Mundhum oral 'scripture' and a religious book.[22] Their religion is known as Yumanism. The high god of the Limbu is called Tagera Ningwaphumang pronounced as /niŋwaˀpʰuːmaŋ/, which may be translated simply as "Supreme Body of Knowledge".[23] Their God Tagera Ningwaphuma is described as a forceful power the creator of life on earth.[24] In earthly form, Tagera Ningwaphuma is worship as the goddess Yuma Sammang pronounced as /jumɔˀ/ and her male counterpart Theba Sammang.[25] The deity Yuma pronounced as /jumɔˀ/ (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 pronounced as /jumɔˀ/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" pronounced as /jɛma/jɛba/, 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 pronounced as /pʰɛdaŋma/, Samba, Yeba (male) Yeba-Yema pronounced as /jɛba/jɛma/ (female). Limbu people follow Kirat religion. Some limbu have converted to Christianity. A very different reformist tradition was established by the Limbu guru Phalgunanda, who established the 'Satyahang' religion.[26]
Majority of the Limbus in the Sikkim are Hindus who follow Kirati culture.[27]
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:
The traditional ritual are done according to the tribes and clans. Some tribes will not eat chicken or buff or mutton while some tribes have different way in celebrating war dance ritual.
Alcohol is significantly and religiously important to the Limbu culture.[29] Limbu usually made their traditional dish from homegrown domesticated livestock meats like pork, fish and yak over factory farming. They are also domesticated for religious purpose.[30] In general, they consume dhal bhat tarkari with pickle. Dhal (Lentils soup), bhat (rice), tarkari (vegetables) and different kinds of achar(pickle). Limbu people always use Phedza[31] to prepare meats. Famous Limbu cuisines are[32] [33] [34]
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 (traditional beverage millet beer), Rakshi (traditional alcoholic beverage), Lassi (yoghurt milk drink), water and homemade fruit juices.[35]
Limbu musical instruments include the following:[36]
For the Limbu people, Archery has always been considered as the main traditional sport. Archery often involves religious demonstrations and rituals. Historically, Limbu 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 pronounced as /jaktʰuŋ/ hunter in a forest. When the general asked the hunter about his presence and what he was doing, the Yakthung pronounced as /jaktʰuŋ/ hunter replied "Lim-pfungh". The Gorkha army later experienced the fierceness from the Yakthung pronounced as /jaktʰuŋ/-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 pronounced as /jaktʰuŋ/ 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 pronounced as /tɔːŋba/. naːnt͡ɕʰiŋma is the term for wrestling in Yakthung-pan pronounced as /jaktʰuŋ paːn/.
See main article: List of Limbu people.