Nepal
is a very ancient country, which was ruled by many dynasties in the past. Among
them, the Kirat rule is taken as a very significant one, being the longest
period that extended from pre-historic to historic period. In ancient Hindu
scriptures, Nepal is referred as the “Kirat Desh” or “the Land of Kirats”.
The
Kirat Rai belong to the Kirati group or the Kirat confederation that includes
the Rai, Limbu, Yakkha and Sunuwar. Dhimal, Hayu, Koche , Thami, Chepang, and
Surel ethnic groups also consider themselves to be of Kirati descent.
The
traditional homeland of the Rai extends across the Solukhumbu, the Okhaldhunga
, Khotang, Bhojpur and the Udayapur districts in the northeastern
hilly/mountainous region of Nepal, west of the Arun River in the Sun Koshi
River watershed. Rais are also found in significant numbers in the Indian state
of Sikkim and in the northern West Bengal towns of Kalimpong and Darjeeling.
According
to Nepal’s 2001 census, there are 635,751 Rai in Nepal which represents 2.79%
of the total population.
Language & Script:
Kirat
Rai speakes more than 32 different languages and dialects within the
Tibeto-Burman languages family. The oral language is rich and ancient, as is
Kirati history, but the written script remains yet to be properly organized as
nearly all traces of it was destroyed by the next rulers of Nepal, The
Lichhavis and almost eradicated by the Shah dynasty.
The
Rai are divided into many different sub-groups – Bantawa, Chamling, Sampang,
Dumi, Jerung, Kulung, Khaling, Lohorung, Mewahang, Rakhali, Thulung, Tilung,
Wambule, Yakkha, Yamphu, Sunuwar, Ambule, etc. Some groups number only a few
hundred members. Every sub-groups speak defferent languages.
The
Kirat Rai has no their own script but use ‘Sirijonga’ script which was first
invented in the late 9th century by the Sirijonga Hang. It disappeared for many
years and reintroduced by Te-ongsi Sirijonga in the 17th century. This
Sirijonga, who was believed to be the reincarnation of the first, was
apparently martyred in 1743 for the sake of this script by the Sikkim Lamas,
who tied him to a tree and flung poison arrows at him. The script was named
‘Sirijonga’ in his honour by the Limbu scholar Iman Singh Chemjong in 1925.
Religion & Culture:
Nakchong (the Rai priest)
The
traditional Kirati religion, apparently predating Hinduism and Buddhism, is
based on ancestor-worship and the placation of ancestor spirits through
elaborate rituals governed by rules called Mundum. Sumnima and Paruhang are
worshipped as primordial parents. Sikatakhu Budo, Walmo Budi, and Jalpa Devi,
among others, serve as Kirati deities. A major Rai holiday is the harvest
festival, Nwogi, when fresh harvested foods are shared by all. The Bijuwa or
Nakchhung (Dhami) or Priest plays an important role in Rai communities.
The
Rai community can be described as worshippers of nature. When the wildlife
begins moving to the high hills of the Himalayan ranges while the seeds sown in
the fields by the tribes grow and bloom with flowers, the tribes perform Sakewa
puja which includes dancing and singing. The dance is called Silli and mimics
the movements of birds and animals during their migration. The performance of
Sakewa puja is led by the Nakchong (the Rai priest) or by the head of an
important family in his absence. During Sakewa puja instruments such as the
dhol (or dhela), the jyamta, the bow and arrow, the chindo, the yak tail, and
the cock and hen are used.
After
Sakewa Puja, the Rai community is banned from playing any musical instruments
until after they have performed the harvest festival, udhauwli, in August and
September. At this time the birds and the animals return from the high hills to
the low lands and puja silli is completed.
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