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Tihar according to Limbu traditions

Khalil Ahmed
DW, KYC

The traditions and history of Tihar celebrated by the Limbus are different from the Hindus’ Tihar – but the time of the festival is the same.

According to the mythology of the Limbus, thousands of years back there was a king, called Walihang, the ruler of Limbuwan, in Eastern Nepal. This King had many good qualities and wisdom. He could foresee the people’s future, even he could tell you about the length of your life. One day he came to his ministers and told them about the exact day and timing of his own death. The ministers gave the news to the public and every body was in grief. The King Walihang had also another expertise: He knew how to avoid the death. He ordered his ministers to send messengers to all the cities and villages in the Limbuwan Kingdom with the following message:

On the night of Aunsi (where the moon is so new that every where it is dark), the night in which the King would die all the men and women avoid sleeping and pray to god Tagirahingwha bhumang while they lighten the candles in their homes. 
Thus that night came and people did as the King had asked them to do. And as a result the life of the King was saved. The next day the messengers were sent out to the villages to give the news. When the people heard the good news every body was delighted and celebrations started. Since that time the Limbu people celebrate the Walihang Tangnam (Tihar Festival), the festival of lights every year. Thus the Limbus’ Tihar has a different background and history but is celebrated at the same time as the Hindus’ Tihar.

Tihar benefits KYC

One of the features of Limbu people’s Tihar festival is that of collecting contributions for their organisation KYC. Traditionally a group of people from each village went out to the houses and collected food and money, which they used personally. Since the establishment of Kirat Yakthung Chumlung (KYC) 11 years back the organisation has modified the tradition and has used the Tihar Festival actively for the benefit of their organisation. During this festival a small group of KYC activists including one Phedangma (Limbu priest) bringing candles with them go to Limbu houses and give their blessing to the house and family members. While the priest reads out some religious words the rest of the group sing “La ren gek, Nam len gek”, which means the moon has gone and the sun has risen, referring to the Aunsi night when the Kings life was saved by praying.

In return the family members give rice, sweets, flowers and money as gift to the activists. The money gathered goes to an account, which would be used for construction of a Chumlung Him (Community Hall) and other KYC activities. For instance during Tihar 1998 an amount of Rs. 100.000 was collected in the city of Dharan and a similar amount was contributed by the Limbus in each of the Lalitpur and Kathmandu Districts.

Activities like this make the KYC a good example of those who develop the old traditions in a constructive and useful way. As a result KYC for financial matters depends mostly on the community’s own resources.

Article written with assistance from Dilendra Subba, Editor of Taanchhoppa Monthly, KYC.

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