LIMBU

Just like Rai, Limbu is also a branch of Kirati race and very much resemble with other races of Kirati in their way of life, language and culture. They are found settled mostly towards east of Arun river in eastern Nepal. They have much respect for their community and customs, and keep up their ancient rituals by all means. Their region gets sufficient monsoon rain making their cultivated areas very fertile and, thus, their economic condition is generally good. 

The word limbu means an archer, or bearer of bow and arrows. The Limbu peole belong to the Kirant confederation. Their ancestral and original stronghold 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 Yewa-Yema are their priests. They celebrate the dance festivals of Kelangma popularly known Chyabrung (two-sided drum) and Yarakma (Paddy dance) as major events. Limbu have their own script called Sirijunga. There are many books written in the Limbu language. Their faith is onshrined in the evergreen Cynodondactylon (Dubo) grass the rocks. They bury their dead. The population of the Limbus, according to the census of 1991, is 2.4% of the nationla total.