History of Limbu (Kirat)

The Limbu people are an indigenous tribe of the Himalayan region of eastern Nepal, northern India, and Bhutan 1 . They are considered the second most numerous tribe of the indigenous people called Kiranti, and are of Mongolian stock, speaking a language belonging to the Kiranti group of Tibeto-Burman languages 2 . They are known as Yakthung (endonym) and number around 700,000 people, mainly in the districts of Sankhuwasabha, Tehrathum, Dhankuta, Taplejung, Morang, Sunsari, Jhapa, Panchthar, and Ilam in Nepal 1 . The Limbu villages are found 2,500 to 4,000 feet above sea level and consist of 30-100 stone houses surrounded by dry-cultivated fields. Divided into patrilineal clans, the families are led by a headman, or subba 2 . The Limbu people are considered the first settlers of east Nepal and are thought to be descendants of the Kiratis 3 . The Limbu observe a traditional religion, worshipping a chief god, Niwa Buma, and mountain and nature spirits