Meet the People
of the East
A quiet introduction to the Rai, Limbu and other Kirat communities of eastern Nepal — their languages, festivals, food, and the pride they carry through the hills.
If you have ever traveled to eastern Nepal, you probably noticed something different in the air. The food tastes new. The festivals look unlike anything in Kathmandu. People greet each other in languages you do not quite recognize.
That is because this part of the country is home to the Kirat people — communities like the Rai, Limbu, Sunuwar, Yakkha and others who have lived in these hills for thousands of years.
This post is a simple introduction to who they are.
OriginsWho Are the Kirat?
The word Kirat (or Kiranti) is an umbrella name for several indigenous communities of eastern Nepal. The four most commonly mentioned groups are:
- Rai — also called Khambu
- Limbu — also called Yakthung
- Sunuwar — also called Mukhia
- Yakkha — also called Dewan
You will also find Kirat-related groups like the Dhimal, Hayu, Jirel and Surel in different pockets of eastern and central Nepal. Together, Kirat people make up roughly five percent of Nepal's population, and they are considered some of the oldest inhabitants of the country. According to old texts, they even ruled the Kathmandu Valley long before the Lichchhavis arrived.
The RaiOne Name, Many Voices
The Rai are one of the largest groups in the east. But here is something interesting — "Rai" is not really one single community. It is a title that covers many sub-groups, each with their own language. Bantawa, Chamling, Kulung, Thulung, Khaling, Sampang, Dumi, Yamphu, Mewahang, Lohorung… the list goes on. So when a Rai person says "I am Bantawa Rai" or "I am Kulung Rai," they are telling you which language and clan they belong to.
Most Rai families have traditionally lived off the land — farming rice, millet and maize in the middle hills of districts like Bhojpur, Khotang, Solukhumbu, Udayapur and Dhankuta. They worship nature and their ancestors, and they do not have a strict patriarchal system. In a Rai home, women have a strong voice in family matters, and tasks are usually shared.
Their biggest celebration is Sakela (also called Sakewa, Sakenwa or Bhume, depending on the area). It happens twice a year:
- Sakela Ubhauli — around Baisakh (April–May), to welcome the planting season.
- Sakela Udhauli — around Mangsir (November–December), to thank nature after harvest.
If you ever see a big circle of people dancing in slow, deliberate steps that mimic birds, animals and farming actions, that is the Sakela dance. Anyone can join in.
The LimbuHeroes of the Hills
The Limbu, who call themselves Yakthung (meaning "heroes of the hills"), live mostly in the far east — Panchthar, Ilam, Taplejung, Terhathum and Dhankuta. This area is still sometimes called Limbuwan.
What makes the Limbu stand out is how much of their own identity they have kept alive:
- Their own language, Limbu (Yakthungpan).
- Their own script, Sirijanga, still taught and used today.
- Their own faith, Yumaism, centred on the goddess Yuma.
Their biggest festival is Chasok Tangnam, celebrated after the harvest as a thank-you to the earth. The Limbu also love their music. The Chyabrung is a long drum slung across the body, played at weddings and big gatherings. And then there is the famous Dhan Naach — the paddy dance — where men and women link little fingers and move side to side in a long, slow line. It looks beautiful, and it is even more beautiful to join.
Smaller GroupsSunuwar, Yakkha & Beyond
The Sunuwar (Mukhia) are a smaller community found around the Likhu Khola area and parts of Solukhumbu, Okhaldhunga and Ramechhap. They have their own language, Sunuwar, and follow Mundhum traditions like other Kirat groups.
The Yakkha (Dewan) live mostly in Sankhuwasabha, Dhankuta and Panchthar. Their numbers are small, but they have a distinct language and culture that they are working hard to keep alive.
Down in the eastern Terai, you will meet other communities too — the Dhimal, the Rajbanshi, the Satar (Santhal), the Tajpuria and the Meche. Each one has its own language, festivals and way of life that adds to the colour of eastern Nepal.
BeliefMundhum — The Heart of Kirat Faith
Most Kirat people follow Kirat Mundhum, an ancient oral tradition passed down by shamans and priests. It is not really a book religion. It is a body of stories, prayers and rules that guide everything from birth rituals to funerals.
At its core, Mundhum teaches respect for three things: nature, ancestors and the spirits that live in rivers, mountains and forests. In a Kirat home, the chulho (hearth) is treated as sacred, and the main wooden pillar of the house is respected almost like a god.
FlavoursFood, Drink & Daily Life
Eastern Nepali kitchens have flavours you will not easily find in the west of the country. A few things worth trying:
- Kinema — fermented soybean, a bit like Japanese natto, cooked into a curry.
- Yangben — a wild rock lichen cooked with pork. A Limbu specialty.
- Sel roti, dhindo, gundruk — found all over Nepal, but they somehow taste different here.
- Tongba — hot millet beer served in a wooden pot, sipped through a metal straw. Pure magic on a cold evening in Ilam or Taplejung.
ReflectionA Quiet Strength
What I love most about the people of the east is the quiet pride they carry. They do not shout about who they are. But they keep their festivals going. They teach their children their languages, even when schools push only Nepali and English. They wear their dhaka topis and traditional dresses on big days. They share their food and their tongba generously with anyone who walks through the door.
If you ever travel through Dharan, Dhankuta, Ilam, Taplejung or any village in between, take a moment. Sit with the people. Drink the tongba. Watch the dance. Listen to the language, even if you do not understand a word.
You will come away with more than photos. You will come away with a small piece of one of the oldest living cultures in the Himalayas.
Thank you for reading. Share this with someone who loves the hills.
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