Kirat Mundhum (also Kirati Mundhum) is the religion of the Kirat people of Nepal.[1] The practice is also known as Kirat Veda,[2] Kirat Veda,[3] Kirat-Ko Veda[4] or Kirat Koved.[5] According to some scholars, such as Tom Woodhatch, it is a blend of animism (e.g., ancestor worship (Sumnima/Paruhang)),[6] Saivite Hinduism,[7] and Tibetan Buddhism.[7] It is practiced by about 3.6% of the Nepali population.[8] Before it was recognized as a religion on the Nepali census, 36% of the Kirati population claimed to follow the Kirant religion, but when it was recognized this figure increased to 73.9%, a 157% increase in the Nepali Kiratis.[1]
The Limbu people have their own distinct religion, known as Yuma Samyo or Yamaism; they believe in the Supreme Almighty goddess Tagera Ningwaphuma.
Contents |
Mundhum or "Kiranti Veda"' (also known as Peylan) is the religious scripture and folk literature of the Kirat people of Nepal, central to Kirat Mundhum. Mundhum means "the power of great strength" in the Kirati language.[9] The Mundhum covers many aspects of the Kirat culture, customs and traditions that existed before Vedic civilisation in South Asia.[10][11][12][13]
The Mundhum for each tribe consists of customs, habits, rituals, traditions, and myths passed down from the Kirati tribe's ancestors.[14] The Mundhum also distinguishes each Kiranti tribe from other Kiranti and non-Kirantis as well.[15]
Kirats practice shamanism and their rituals are mostly related to the worship of mother nature and ancestors. Almost all sacred rituals are performed by nakchong, the kirat priest.
Many followers wear a tilak on the forehead, as in Hinduism, when they recite their sacred text, the Kiranti Veda.[16]
Sakela is the main festival of Kirat which is celebrated twice a year distinguished by two names Ubhauli and Udhauli. Sakela Ubhauli is celebrated during Baisakh Purnima (full moon day, which lies in the month of Baisakh in calenders of the Indian Subcontinent.) and Sakela Udhauli is celebrated during the full moon day in the month of Mangshir. Sakela celebration is the prayer to Goddess of Nature for good crops and protection from natural calamities.
The celebration of Sakela is also known as Chandi Nach Murat. On Chandi Nach, they worship Durga, who is known to them as Chandi, or Chandika.[17] (Worship of Durga among the Himalayan Kiratas is arguably written in the Harivamsha Purana.[18]) Durga Puja is still performed by a few Kirants.[19]
Tihar is another festival that was added first in the Veda. It is also known as Deepavali and Lakshmi Puja.[20]
Shravan is another festival.