Concept
Kirat Mundum, (Nepali: किरात मुन्दुम) also known as Kiratism, or Kirati Mundum, is an animistic folk religion that is indigenous to the Kirati ethnic groups of Nepal, Darjeeling and Sikkim, majorly practiced by Yakkha, Limbu, Sunuwar, Rai, Thami, Jirel, Hayu and Surel peoples in the north-eastern Indo subcontinent. The practice is also known as Kirat Veda, Kirat-Ko Veda or Kirat Ko Ved. According to some scholars, such as Tom Woodhatch, it is a blend of shamanism, animism (e.g., ancestor worship of Yuma Sammang/Tagera Ningwaphumang and Paruhang/Sumnima), and Shaivism. It is practiced by about 3.17% of the Nepali population as of 2021. It has the religious scripture and folk literature of the Kirat people of Nepal and India. All four Kirats Khambu (Rai), Limbu (Subba), Sunuwar (Mukhia), Yakkha (Dewan) and Newars have slightly different religious texts. Religious texts means the power of great strength Mundhum in the Limbu language, Mewahang call it muddum, Yakka as mintum, Sunuwar as mukdum among Kulung as ridum Bantawa as Mundum and Chamling as dum. It covers many aspects of the Kirat culture, customs and traditions that existed before Vedic period in the ancient Indian subcontinent. The religious texts for each tribe consists of customs, habits, rituals, traditions, and myths passed down from the Kirati tribe's ancestors. Religious texts serve, in a way, as customary laws which guide Kirats in their daily lives. Their religious texts also distinguishes each Kiranti tribe from other Kirati and non-Kiratis as well. Kirants practice shamanism and their rituals are mostly related to the worship of Mother Nature, ancestors, the Sun, the Moon, wind, fire and the main pillar of the house. Almost all sacred rituals in Rai are performed by Nakchhong, Mangpa/Bijuwa/the Rai tribal priest. Similarly, the Limbus have phɛdɑŋmɑ/bɑ, yɛbɑ/mɑ, sɑmbɑ/mɑ to perform rituals accordingly. Rai's supreme deity is Sumnima. Sumnima is a female goddess which is believed to be the Mother Earth (Mother Nature) and Paruhang is a male god also known as the Sky God.
