Introduction
The Yakthung, also known as the Limbu tribe, is an indigenous group of the Himalayan region that spans across eastern Nepal, Sikkim, and western Bhutan. Yakthungba and Yakthumma are the terms used to describe Limbu men and women respectively. The name Yakthung is derived from the word Yaksha, which means “Yaksha winner” in ancient texts, but in the Limbu language, it translates to “heroes of the hills.” The Limbu people have a unique title called Subba, which was originally used by Limbu village chiefs, and given by the Shah Kings. The term Subba has now become almost interchangeable with Yakthung. The Limbu tribe’s history is said to be preserved in the Bangsawoli (Genealogy) book. There are numerous Limbu clans and tribes that are classified based on their origin or sub-national entity.
Culture
The Limbu tribe has their own distinct cultural practices. They believe that lineage is passed down through the mother’s gods, rather than through the father’s side.
Death Rituals
During death rituals that last two to three days, the Limbu bury their dead and put their heads in a brass bowl and coins on their forehead. They also block the nose and ears and put alcohol on the lips of the dead body. Nikwasamma is a death ritual where the house is cleansed by Phedangma, and visitors bring money as a sign of respect for the dead. Sons of the deceased shave their heads and eyebrows as a sign of respect, and they become the new heir in the family. Mourning periods vary based on the gender of the deceased.
Weddings, mourning, gift exchanges, and conflict resolution often involve the consumption of alcohol, specifically the Limbu traditional beer called thee, which is served in a container called tongba. The tribe also hosts dances for visitors to the village, where young Limbu girls and boys have the opportunity to meet and enjoy dancing and drinking.
Marriage Practices
Limbu people tend to marry within their community, but they have strict rules about avoiding intermarriage within the same clan to prevent consanguineous relationships. Cross-cousin marriages are also forbidden in Limbu culture. Although arranged marriages by parents are common, a man and woman can marry outside their clan by mutual agreement. Limbu society is matriarchal, with women given high respect. During weddings, the man’s family must visit the woman’s family with a piglet and beverages to signify the union. Important ceremonies take place in the groom’s house as the bride will reside there. A Limbu wedding features two special dances: Yalakma or Dhan Nach, characterized by slow circle dances, and Kelangma or Chyabrung, which involves complex synchronized footwork to drum beats. The Yalakma dance can also be performed during harvest season or other social events. The Limbu’s customs and traditions are said to have been established by Sawa Yethang, the council of eight kings, in ancient times.
