Limbu have their own customs and
tradition evolved through centuries and are leading their
distinct way of life. Most probably they came in touch
with Brahman Hindus during the rule of Sen kings in Morang
and Makwanpur and partly accepted Brahmans as their priests
which is evidenced by the name given to them in Nepal
or Sanskrit words. Brahmans apparently started to influence
some aspects of the rites of Limbus since then and the
rites, which have no elaborated Mundhums and rituals such
as rites of birth, feeding rice and cutting hair for the
first time etc. must have been replaced or modified by
Hindu way of ritual performances. However Limbus resisted
the overall attempts of Hinduisation because of their
culturally well-entrenched and customarily firmly established
way of life.
Though the Brahmins may have their
missionary zeal, their primary interest was to occupy
the suitable fertile land, taking advantage of the simplicity,
cordiality and liberality of Limbus and their extensive
area of land. Whatever the religious practices and beliefs
they tried to infuse among Limbus, it is obvious that
they could not satisfy the emotional needs of the common
people, answer their hopes, dreams and imagination, instill
encouragement in their enlivening superstitions. As a
result, the process of Hinduization even under state patronage,
could not impress much to the great majority of the Limbus.
Some Buddhism can also be observed in some aspect of rituals
and interpretation of Mundhums but it could effect vary
little to the basic traits and complexes of the mainstream
culture in comparison of other Kirata groups in Nepal.
The basic customs and tradition of Limbus are even well
known today as "the customs of ten Limbus".
Limbus have distinct culture, tradition
and religion of their own, though they are living together
with their Hindu and Buddhist neighbors. They have a long
tradition of narrating or reciting Mundhums and performing
certain ritual and observing ceremonies in their own distinctive
ways. Mundhum is a legend, a folklore, prehistoric accounts,
sermons and moral or philosophical exhortations in poetic
language. It is a scripture living in oral tradition.
But these traditional resources are not properly utilized
or documented so far and are rapidly disappearing.
