LIMBU CULTURE

ABOUT LIMBU

Introduction:

The word limbu means an archer, or bearer of bow and arrows. The Limbu people belong to the Kirant confederation. Their ancestral and original stronghold known as Pallo Kirat as well as Limbuwan spans from Arun River in Nepal to the Kingdom of Sikkim in the east. In Nepal, Limbus live and work in the districts of Sankhuwasabha, Tehrathum, Dhankuta, Taplejung, Panchthar and Ilam. Their scripture is called Mundhum. Fedangba, Shamba and Yeba-Yema are their sacred specialists. They celebrate the dance festivals of Kelang popularly known Chyabrung (two-sided drum) and Yarak (Paddy dance) as major events. Limbus have their own script called Sirijunga. There are many books written in the Limbu language. Their faith is enshrined in the evergreen Cynodondactylon (dubo) grass and rocks. They cremate their dead. The population of the Limbus, according to the census of 2001, is 359,255.

Language and Script:

Limbu language is a member of Tibeto-Burman language family. Limbu language has four main dialects: Panthere, Phedape, Tamarkhole and Chhathare. Limbu language has 9 vowels sound, and 25 consonants. Promonolisation, three numbers (singular, dual, and plural) with inclusive and exclusive in dual and plural numbers in first person, and glottal stop are some of the characteristics of Limbu language.
Limbu language has its own script known as "Kirt-Sirijonga Script". According to many historians, King Sirijonga invented "Kirat-Sirijonga Script" in the late 9th Century. It disappeared for many years and reintroduced by Te-ongsi Sirijonga (believed to be reincarnation of King Sirijonga), in 17th Century. In 1925, Iman Singh Chemjong (Limbu scholar) named the script, after the name of Sirijonga who had laid down his life for the preservation and promotion of Script in 1743 A.D.