The Limbu (Limbu: ) are a Kirati tribe ethnolinguistic group indigenous to the Himalayan region of eastern Nepal, northeastern India and western Bhutan. In India, the Limbus live in the states of Sikkim, Assam, Nagaland and northern West Bengal, i.e. North Bengal.State government and politics, Sikkim By Nirmalananda Sengupta Sterling, 1985Evaluation Of Man And The Modern Society In Sikkim By Jash Raj Subba, 2008P.6 History, Culture and Customs of Sikkim, J. R. Subba, 2008
Subba is a title given by the Shah Kings only to Limbu village chiefs.Democracy, pluralism, and change: an inquiry in the Nepalese context By Sanjaya Serchan Chhye Pahuppe, 2001 Subba was not part of the indigenous Limbu terminology, but now the two terms are almost interchangeable. 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.Linguistic Survey of India, Volume 3, Part 1 By Office of the superintendent of government printing, 1909 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 Saklani, Dinesh Prasad Ancient communities of the Himalaya Indus Publishing Company, India (1 Mar 2002) p. 36Levi, Sylvain Le Nepal Asian Educational Services, India; Facsimile edition (20 Dec 2007) p. 78 The Limbu, were also one of the earliest inhabitants 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".Ethnic Groups of South Asia and the Pacific: An Encyclopedia By James Minahan, 2012
Geographical distribution
2021 Nepal census classifies the Limbu people within the broader social group of Mountain/Hill Janajati. At the time of the 2021 Nepal census, 4,14,704 people (1.43%) of the population of Nepal) were Limbu. The frequency of Limbu people by province was as follows:
Koshi Province (8.01%) Bagmati Province (0.5%) Gandaki Province (0.2%) Madhesh Province (0.1%) Lumbini Province (0.1%) Karnali Province (0.02%) Sudurpashchim Province (0.03%)
The estimated population of the Limbu is 6,00,000, mainly in the districts of Tehrathum, Dhankuta, Taplejung, Morang, Sunsari, Jhapa, Panchthar, Ilam in Nepal and several states of Northeast-India . The frequency of Limbu people was higher than national average (1.0%) in the following districts. These are all within the Koshi Province or "Limbuwan".
Panchthar (43.4%) Taplejung (42.6%) Tehrathum (36.4%) Ilam (16.8%) Dhankuta (13.9%) Jhapa (7.7%) Sankhuwasabha (5.7%) Morang (4.3%) Sunsari (3.6%) Taplejung (5.1%) Lalitpur (1.3%)
Indian, Bhutan and other countries
Significant numbers of the Limbu population are also located in the eastern and western districts of Sikkim . Significant numbers are 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.
History Historical Background Ancient Era: Pre-Vedic origins: Limbu people are believed to have settled in eastern Nepal before the arrival of Indo-Aryan groups. They are pre-Vedic, Mongoloid people with strong roots in the Himalayan region. Kirata Kingdoms (circa 800 BCE - 300 CE): The Limbus were part of the larger Kirat civilization, which ruled the Kathmandu Valley and eastern hills. Ancient texts like the Mahabharata and Puranas mention the Kirats as warriors from the east.
🏯 Limbuwan Confederation:
Limbuwan Kingdom (before 18th century): Limbuwan was an independent confederation of 10 Limbu kingdoms. Each was ruled by a local king called Subba or Hang. They had their own laws, customs, and land tenure systems. The region was culturally and politically distinct from central Nepal.
🗡️ Gorkha Unification (Late 1700s):
In the 1770s, Limbuwan was annexed by King Prithvi Narayan Shah during the unification of Nepal. A treaty known as the “Limbuwan-Gorkha Treaty” (circa 1774) guaranteed the Limbus: Autonomy over land (Kipat system). Right to maintain their language, customs, and traditions. Over time, however, autonomy eroded due to state centralization, Hinduization, and land reforms.
🔹Modern History
Land loss and marginalization: The Kipat system was abolished in the 1960s under the Panchayat regime, leading to large-scale loss of ancestral lands. Ethnic revival & identity movements: Since the 1990s, Limbus have engaged in cultural and political activism, especially during and after the People’s War (1996–2006). Movements like the Limbuwan Autonomous Region demand greater rights and recognition of their ancestral land and identity. Language and Script revival: Revival of Sirijunga script and promotion of Yakthung culture has gained momentum, particularly among youth and diaspora.
Language
Limbu (Limbu: ᤕᤠᤰᤌᤢᤱ ᤐᤠᤴ, yakthuṅ pan) is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken by the Limbu people of Nepal and Northeastern India(particularly West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam and Nagaland) as well as expatriate communities in Bhutan. The Limbu refer to themselves as Yakthung and their language as Yakthungpan.Yakthungpan has four main dialects: Phedape, Chhathare, Tambarkhole and Panthare dialects.
Official Status
The Language Commission of Nepal has recommended Limbu language as official language in Koshi Province. Chulachuli Rural Municipality, Mangsebung Rural Municipality and Phalgunanda Rural Municipality have recognized Limbu language as an official working language.
In India, the state of Sikkim has recognized Limbu language as an additional official language for the purpose of preservation of culture and tradition in the state. The official weekly publication Sikkim Herald has a Limbu Edition.
Sirijunga Script or Yakthung/Limbu Script
the Limbu script (Sirijanga) had been designed by the Limbu King Sirijanga Hang in the 9th century. The Sirijanga script was later redesigned and re-introduced by Te-ongsi Sirijunga Xin Thebe . As Te-ongsi Sirijunga Xin Thebe spent most of his time in the development of Yakthungpan, Yatkhung culture, and Limbu script; he is considered as the reincarnation of the 9th century King Sirijanga.
Limbu traditional architecture 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.
Occupation The Limbu people have traditionally been agriculturalists, but over time, their occupations have diversified.
🔹 Agriculture (Main Occupation)
Most Limbus are historically subsistence farmers. Cultivate rice, millet, maize, barley, and vegetables on terraced fields. Also grow cash crops like: Cardamom (Alaichi) – a major export product Ginger and turmeric Use traditional tools like halo (plough) and Kodalo (hoe).
Animal Husbandry
Raise goats, pigs, cows, buffaloes, chickens for meat, milk, and rituals. Animals are also part of social customs and sacrifices in Kirat religion.
Traditional Skills
Weaving and knitting by Limbu women (for traditional dresses)dresses). Traditional healing and shamanic roles (by Phedangma, Yeba/Yema, Samba) in spiritual life.
🔹Modern Occupations
Government and Education
Many Limbus now work in: Teaching Civil service Police and military Local government and administrative jobs
Foreign Employment
A significant number have migrated to: India (Darjeeling, Sikkim, Assam) Hong Kong, UK, Middle East, Singapore, etc. Work in: Security services (especially in Hong Kong) Domestic work Construction Hospitality industry
Military Service
Limbus have a long tradition of joining the: British Gurkha Army Indian Army Singapore Police Force Nepal Army Known for bravery, loyalty, and discipline.
🔹 Business and Trade
Many are now engaged in: Small shops, retail businesses Agriculture-based trade (e.g. cardamom, tea) Tourism and homestays in eastern Nepal
🔹 Emerging Fields
Media and Journalism Music and cultural arts Politics and activism (e.g. Limbuwan movement) NGO/INGO work Technology and freelancing (in urban and foreign-educated youth)
Wedding practices
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.