Kirat

Kirat is a term used to describe a family of indigenous ethnic groups in the eastern Himalayas, with the strongest concentrations in Nepal and in parts of northern India such as Sikkim and the Darjeeling area. The groups most commonly identified as Kirat include Limbu, Rai, Yakkha, Sunuwar, Kulung, Thulung, Nach, and other related communities. They speak Kirati languages, a branch within the Sino-Tibetan language family, and share cultural links that are distinct from surrounding communities.

Culturally, Kirat communities maintain traditional beliefs and practices alongside broader South Asian religious influences. The traditional religion is often called Mundhum, an ancestor- and nature-centered belief system that coexists with Hinduism and Buddhism in many areas. Distinctive cultural expressions include communal harvest dances such as the Sakela, as well as seasonal festivals like Ubhauli and Udhauli, which mark agricultural and ecological cycles. Dress, music, and artisanal traditions also reflect Kirat heritage and local variations among the different groups.

Historically, the Kiratas are referenced in ancient Indian and regional Nepalese texts as hill-dwelling peoples of the mountains, and they feature in early narratives about rulers and settlements in the foothills and valleys. In Nepal’s modern state framework, Kirat communities are recognized as indigenous nationalities with cultural and linguistic rights protected by law. Today, Kirat groups pursue education, modernization, and political representation while maintaining a rich heritage that continues to influence the cultural mosaic of the Himalayan region.