Deep Dive into What is Kirat Civilization and Ethnic Group

Introduction to the Kirat Civilization

The Kirat (or Kirant) people are an ancient ethnic group in Nepal with a rich cultural heritage rooted in the eastern Himalayan regions of Nepal, India, and Bhutan. They are known for their distinct cultural identity, traditional customs, and deep historical roots. The Kirat people primarily include the Rai, Limbu, Yakkha, and Sunuwar communities, each with unique traditions, dialects, and religious practices. Together, they contribute to Nepal’s vibrant ethnic tapestry and have a profound connection to nature, often considering themselves as the original inhabitants of the eastern Himalayan region. On this page, we will delve into What is Kirat.

Historical Background and Ancestry

There is no consensus among all scholars about the origin of the Kirat race or the Kirat civilization. Because the Kirat civilization and ethnic existence are ancient, less evidence of its ancient history is available. Therefore, different concepts are found in various historical writings about the Kirat ethnic civilization.

The Kirat people, or Kirati, as explained in ancient texts and folklore, including Kirat references in the ‘Mahabharata’ and other Sanskrit literature, were the first inhabitants of Nepal’s mountains and mountainous regions. Their presence in this region predates recorded history. As per legend, the Kirat civilization is said to be the descendants of the Hindu god Shiva and his wife Parvati, who are believed to have lived in the Himalayas. For centuries, the Kirat people have maintained their unique traditional way of life, largely uninfluenced by outside cultures and religions.

However, many historians also say that the Kirat civilization had nothing to do with Hindu society in ancient times. If they had been close to Hindu culture, they would have come under Varnashram Dharma. But the Kirat caste is outside Varnashram Dharma. Kirat demography seems to have developed in eastern Tibet, Nepal, and the Indian Himalayan regions outside Hindu culture.

According to the historian Kirati, Natives entered this Nepali territory in BC 800. The Kirat dynasty ruled the Kathmandu Valley and other regions of Nepal from 800 BC to 300 AD or until the Lichchhavi period. The dynasties comprised 29 to 33 Kirati kings during the 1100-year Kirati reign. Known mainly for their warrior spirit, the Kirat dynasty played an essential role in shaping the early history of Nepal. Their society was organized into clans, each with a specific role and function within the community.

It is said that when the monarch of the Licchavi dynasty came to power, the Kiratis were driven out of the Kathmandu Valley and migrated to the east. They again established rule in the eastern region: Wollo Kirat, Maajh Kirat, and Pallo Kirat States.

How did the Kiraties lose their ruling power?

The Kirati community ruled the Kathmandu valley and beyond for about 1100 years. However, they were acquired by the Lichchavi monarch, who entered from the south in the third century, and then the Kirati were forced to move to the east. Although they lost their traditional kingdoms, they established a state system in east Nepal and their own type of government.

But in the seventeenth century, King Prithvi Narayan Shah of Gorkha came to the east by unifying Nepal, and the Kirati kingdoms were in crisis again. On the one hand, they were in danger of being invaded by the British colonial regime in India. On the other hand, they could not save their states despite fighting for many years in the battle against the Gorkhali state expansion force.

The Kirati rulers, who were beset by threats from both sides, gathered at one place and consulted again and again. Ultimately, instead of losing their kingdom from the Indian empire, they settled with King Prithvi Narayan Shah or Garkhalis. A treaty between Gorkhali and Kirati was also performed, which is also known as the Nun-Pani Sandhi (salt-water treaty). According to this treaty, even though the lands of the Kirati kingdom were merged into the Nepal nation, the local kings were given the right to an autonomous state, also known as the ‘Kipat system’ in Nepal.

Beside, Because of their integration with the Gokhalis, the chief leaders or kings and ministers of the Kirati states were given special honorary titles. According to this title, the Limwus were given the prestigious titles of Subba, Rai to Khamvu or Jimi or jimdar, Yakhkha to Dewan and Sunuwar to Mukhiya. Those who got these posts were established as the main leaders of the respective areas and performed the role of local leaders. After the establishment of the Panchayati system in Nepal or after 2017, customs such as Kipat, Birta were also abolished and the special rights of local self-government of the Kirati community gradually ended.

Demographics and Distribution

The Kirat ethnic group is mainly concentrated in the eastern hilly areas of Nepal, including districts such as Dhankuta, Bhojpur, Ilam, Terhathum, and Sankhuwasabha. Where the Kirat states existed before the unification of Nepal in the 17th century. Kirat people are also settled in Northeast India, especially in Sikkim and West Bengal, as well as in Bhutan.

The Dhimal and Thami castes, considered to belong to the Kirat community, are found mainly in the eastern Terai region of Nepal and various parts of North-Eastern India. In the same way, a small number of ethnic groups like Hayu, Jirel, and Surel of the Kirat community are mainly found in the Ramechhap, Dolakha, and Sindhuli districts of Nepal.

Apart from this, Kirati people are also found in various countries of the world. Kirat castes make up a significant part of the indigenous population of Nepal, with the Rai and Limbu communities being among the most prominent Kirat groups. In the modern context, many Kirat people have also settled in urban areas and the capital. Many people have also migrated abroad due to employment and economic crises, although these people often maintain close ties to their culture and heritage wherever they live.

Castes and Clans within the Kirat Group

The Kirat Civilization or ethnic group is composed of several sub-groups, with the primary ones being:

• Rai: Known for their strong warrior tradition, the Rai people are one of the most known ethnic groups of Nepal. They are primarily found in the hills of eastern Nepal, and some are in India. They are divided into multiple clans with distinct customs and dialects.
• Limbu: Closely related to the Rai, the Limbu people have their own language (Limbu), script (Srijunga), and rich cultural practices. Limbu is a prominent Kirat group in Nepal and holds significant cultural identity in eastern Nepal.
• Yakkha: Smaller in population but equally significant, the Yakkha community is known for its unique language and culture, and they are mostly found in the eastern hills.
• Sunuwar: Also known as the Mukhiya, the Sunuwar people have their own language and traditional practices and primarily inhabit the Solukhumbu region.

The term Kirat has been developed over time by including a wide range of other ethnic groups in addition to the ethnic groups of the Eastern Himalayan region within the Kirat community. The word Kirat is not only the name of a particular caste but is understood as a human civilization or community that has lived in the eastern Himalayan southern region for a long time.

Therefore, apart from the above four ethnic groups, Dhimal, Thami, Hayu, Jirel, and Surel ethnic groups are also included in the Kirati native community. In addition, according to some historical arguments, it is claimed that the Newar caste also belongs to the Kirat community. Still, since the Newars are mainly Hindu and Buddhist, it is worth discussing how justified it is to include ethnic groups different from the Kirati religious and cultural practices.

Each group under the Kirat community has its clan system, language or dialect, and distinct rituals, all of which form the cultural mosaic of the Kirat identity.

Kirat Religion and Beliefs

The Kirat people follow a traditional, animistic religion called Kirat Mundhum, a shamanistic faith rooted in ancestor worship, nature reverence, and the concept of a supreme being known as Tagera Ningwaphuma. Kirat beliefs emphasize the interconnection between humans, animals, and the environment. They often revere mountains, rivers, forests, and other natural elements as sacred.

In the Mundhum, an ancient Kirat scripture, the oral teachings and mythological origins of the Kirat people are preserved. The Mundhum outlines rituals, cosmology, and ethical guidelines, and it plays a central role in the Kirat spiritual tradition. Shamanistic rituals, often performed by spiritual leaders called Phedangma, Samba, or Yeba, are a common feature in religious ceremonies.

Language and Linguistic Diversity

The Kirat people are linguistically diverse, with languages belonging to the Tibeto-Burman family. Major languages include:

• Rai Dialects: Numerous Rai dialects, such as Bantawa, Chamling, and Thulung, are spoken in different Rai communities.
• Limbu Language: The Limbu language has its own script, known as Srijunga, and is actively used in both spoken and written forms.
• Sunuwar Language: Also belonging to the Tibeto-Burman family, Sunuwar is spoken by the Sunuwar people.

Efforts are underway to preserve these languages, many of which are endangered due to migration, urbanization, and the dominance of Nepali and English in educational and official settings.

Customs and Traditions

Kirat customs are deeply connected to the natural world and follow cyclical rituals associated with the agricultural seasons. Major life events—such as birth, marriage, and death—are celebrated with specific rituals. The Kirat people have unique wedding customs, which vary slightly among the Rai, Limbu, Sunuwar, and Yakkha communities. These often involve elaborate ceremonies that emphasize family and community ties.

Festivals and Celebrations

The Kirat people celebrate various festivals that honor their deities, ancestors, and natural spirits. Some key festivals include:

• Ubhauli and Udhauli: These are seasonal festivals marking the planting and harvest periods. Ubhauli (celebrated in May) marks the beginning of the planting season, while Udhauli (celebrated in November) marks the harvest. Both are celebrated with traditional dances like Sakela and Shilhang.
• Sakela Dance: This traditional dance, performed during Ubhauli and Udhauli, is symbolic of the Kirat people’s connection to nature. Men and women form a circle and dance together, imitating the movements of birds and animals.
• Chasok Tangnam: Celebrated by the Limbu community, Chasok Tangnam is a harvest festival that honors the goddess of agriculture and celebrates the community’s agricultural abundance.

Current Status and Challenges

The Kirat community faces various socio-economic challenges, including marginalization and limited access to educational and employment opportunities. Although Nepal’s constitution recognizes indigenous peoples and gives them some rights, many Kirat people feel their voices are underrepresented in mainstream politics and society. Land rights issues have become a significant concern, especially in areas traditionally occupied by the Kirat community.

In recent years, advocacy groups and organizations including Kirat Rai Yaokkha and Adibasi janajati mahasangh have been actively promoting Kirat heritage so that Kirat communities can preserve their language, culture, and traditions. The initiation of Kirat studies in some educational institutions and the recognition of Kirat festivals as public holidays in Nepal are positive developments that reflect the growing respect for their culture. However, with the growth and expansion of modern education in Nepal, there is also the danger of losing many cultural and traditional heritages by sincere Kiratis.

Efforts in Cultural Preservation

Kirat (Kirant), a primitive human community that can be proud of the ancient civilization of Nepal, is a significant ethnic community of Nepal. So, it is necessary to support and promote them from all sides for the awakening of their culture and their access to state power. The fragrance of many races of Nepal has earned this country the name of a beautiful and culturally diverse country worldwide.

With the increased interest in learning Mundhum, participating in Sakela festivals, and reading Kirat languages, cultural pride has been resurgent among the younger generation. Organizations dedicated to preserving Kirat culture constantly emphasize recognizing and protecting their rights. To ensure its continuation, emphasis is placed on educating the Kirat youth about their heritage, which can be considered a positive aspect. This should continue, and we Nepalis should be proud that Kirat is Nepal’s significant and ancient civilization.