Sunday 19 June 2011

Limbu info from Amazing Himalaya

This is also good site to know about us and lots other community here is the sites artical


Limbu Community
 
The Limbu (meaning - archer) or Yakthumba are an ethnic group that belong to the Kiranti group or Kirat confederation that includes the Rai and Sunuwar who are believed to be the descendants of the ancient Mongolian people and are still known as "Mongolians" in Nepal. Their population of 400,000 is centered on the districts of Sankhuwasabha, Tehrathum, Dhankuta, Taplejung, Morang, Sunsari, Jhapa, Panchthar and Ilam, all within the Mechi and Kosi zones in Nepal, also known as Limbuwan, as well as the East and West districts of Sikkim. A smaller number are scattered throughout the cities of Darjeeling and Kalimpong in West Bengal, India and also in North and South Sikkim and Bhutan.
Limbus speak a Tibeto-Burman language called Yakthungpan, literally "language of Limbus", also called simply Limbu. It uses the "Kirat Sirijonga" script based on the Tibetan script. Limbu clans are divided between the Lhasa gorta (those from Lhasa) and Kashi gorta, those who come from the Benaras.

The Limbus traditionally practiced subsistence farming. Rice and maize comprised their principal crops. Although there is an abundance of arable land, productivity is greatly limited by insufficient technology. Excess crops are often traded for food that cannot be grown in the region. A sizable number of Limbu youths used to enlist in the British and Indian Gurkha regiments, providing their families with a steady stream of income. Thanks to the Gurkha revenue, the Limbu community as a whole were lifted considerably in terms of health and education. They have good a living standard compared to others.

The Limbus follow the Kiranti Mundhum oral 'scripture'. However, like the Rai, their religion is influenced by both Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism, although the Buddhist influence is more apparent in the case of the Limbu than with the Rai. Their supreme god is Tagera Ningwaphuma, but Goddess Yuma is the most important among Limbus and worshiped in all occasions. Goddess Yuma is the mother goddess of all the Limbus. Traditionally, they buried their dead but due to the influence of their Hindu neighbours, cremating is gaining in popularity as well. They celebrate the dance festivals of Kelangma popularly known Chyabrung (a two-sided drum often more than four feet in diameter) and Yarak (Paddy dance) as major events.

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