Jan. 1st 06:20 PM 276 8

Jan. 6th 05:52 AM

Rai does not represent any specific ethnic group where as it was just a designation given by Sen Makwan, Shah, Rana Dynasties in the history of Nepal. Almost all but not every Rai deserves to be Kirati. It has been learnt that a Kanchha Basnet in Sotang, Solokhumbu was awarded Rai for about 24 years. To prove that 'Rai' is just a designation the famous Poet Tilbikram Nembang Limbu 'Bairagikainla' and Khagendra Jabegu Limbu working for SNV/Nepal, Ilam have expressed that there ancesstors were awarded 'Rai' designation to collect taxes from the local community in Kirati areas on behalf of the then central government. Kanchha Rai in Sankhuwasabha is still alive who belong to Fagu Limbu. Similarly there are many Rais from different ethnic groups such as Tamang, Gurung, Newar also who do not claim Kiraties. Nepal government has made a mistake rocognizing Rai as an ethnic group. Due to this more than 22 ethnic groups having their own motherlanguages, culturers and territories are being suppressed, oppressed and deprived from their rights to self-identification and rights to self-determination as declared by International Labour Organization Convention No.169.

But the concious peoples from the concerned ethnic groups have been demanding to recognize their individual community as an indigenous group and have denied to be Rai as an ethnic group.

Jan. 8th 06:16 AM

If word Rai doesn't represent any ethnic group, then what word represent the so called "Rai" communities? It is true that surname Rai was given by the Hindu rulers to those people who lived in Khambuwan. However, Rai do not represent title or designation, it was an attempt by past Hindu rulers of Nepal tried to convert Khambuwan into Hindu societies. Those persons who were given power to collect taxes in Khambuwan on behalf of then central ruler were called "Jimmawala". In Bantawa language the word "Kirawa" represents the people from Khambuwan.
What about Subba? Do all Limbus are Subba? We can see huge numbers of Limbus use Subba as a surname/ family name. Not every Limbus are Subba. It was the designation given by Rana rulers to those persons in Limbuwan power to control and collect taxes from the local communities on behalf of the Rana government. In modern time, Subba is the position held by a government employee who has qualification of IA or equivalent.
It is wise to do thorough research before jump to the conclusion. Finally, Rai is not a title for taxcollector. Rai is the surname given by Hindu colonisers to Khambu/ Kirawa.

Jan. 23rd 10:34 AM

PHEEEEEEEEWWWWWW.... WAT A CONFUSING THING THIS IS... I DID NOT KNOW ALL THIS UNTIL NOW.. UNTIL I FINISHED READIN THIS... WELL I KNOW NOW.. BY THE WAY I M WALAKHAM

Feb. 4th 05:25 PM

Hai,Hello...I M also Kirat Rai and I M Frm Sampang Community.Pls,Xplain abt the Kirat Rai Culture and Religion pani hai...Thnx

Feb. 4th 05:52 PM

vencent Pat...Kirat Rai Ko Religion nai Sabai Kirati haru ko Religion bhayeko le....Briefly Xplain Yesari gariyeko cha...Thnx!!!!!!

A Brief Introduction to Kirat Religion

Nepal was known as Himwant Khand Kairat Desh or Kirat country in the ancient time. Lord Buddha came to the Kathmandu valley in 250 B.C. with 1350 disciples. There was Kirat rule in the valley. The Kirati people showed respect to Lord Buddha, his disciples and teaching but stuck to their own religion. These virtues are still found among the Kirati people. This proves that the Kirati religion is the oldest of all religions:

The salient features of the religion are as follows:

(i) It is against idolatry.
(ii) Worship of nature.
(iii) Non-existence of caste system.
(iv) Equal treatment to all human beings of the world.
(v) The Mundhum as the original religious book.

To worship or pray on the 'Sangbhe' or altar without any idols under the open space in the fundamental feature of the Kirat religion. On the 'Sangbhe' (altar) the omnipotent and omniscient almighty god and ancestral deities are invoked and worshiped. Now-a-days these 'Sangbhes' are being replaced by Kirati bankika manykhims or temples. Kirati people are worshippers of nature. They believe that all men are equal irrespective of one's race, caste, creed and colour. However, Hindus rulers imposed ban or preaching other religions and established caste system. They placed the Kiratis at the lowest strata of the caste system. But the Kirati people do not recognize the caste system.
The Mundhum, the holy book of the Kirati people has wise sayings in verses that describe the universe and the religious life of the ancient Kiratis. These verses were handed down from generation to another generation verbally. In Mundhum, there is vivid description of the earth, the sky, creatures, vegetation and the life philosophy of the Kirat people as well. The Mundhum expounds the principle of human and racial equality, religious tolerance and nobility. The Kirati priests or Shamans called 'Samba, Yewa, Yema , Fedangma, Hangchhamba, Nakchong or Naosho' have made vital contribution in preserving the verses of Mundhum. They have been performing all the religious rites and rituals verbally on the various religious functions and festivals.
Though these verses are available now in the form of books or booklets, yet the Kirat religion has yet not been able to established its significant identity of its own among the other religion of the world. On the mode of religious practice, sociologists have classified the Kirat religion as ' the religion of shamans or nature worshippers'.
According to some scholars, indigenous people like Kagate, Kham, Gurung (Tamu), Chepang (Praja), Chhantyal. Jirel, Tamang (Murmi), Thakali, Thami, Dura, Dhimal, Newar, Pahari, Byasi, Magar, Meche, Raute, Raji, Lepcha, Loba, Surel, Sherpa and Hayu belonging to Tibetan-Burmese family and Kumal, Koche (Rajbansi), Tharu, Bhote, Majhi belonging to Indo-European language family were the descendants of the Kirat rulers who ruled for 33 generations. But presently, only Yakha Rais (Khumbu), Limbus and Sunuwars belonging to Tibetan-Burmese language family are proud of themselves being the followers of the Kirat religion.
The national population census forum 2048 did not contain the Kirat religion column. But 3,18,389 Kirat religion followers had filled their religion in the column of unclassified religion. As a result, the Kirat religion also got national recognisation and was included in the religion column of the population census forum, 2058. It guaranteed an increase in the population of the followers of the Kirat religion in the forthcoming population census.


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Feb. 28th 08:45 AM

Absolutely true...I have long believed that the Rai ethic group is in fact a confederation of many Kirati sub-groups. It is not a collective ethnic community like what Gurungs, Tamangs or Limbus are. Rai is as much as a title conferred to Khambus as is the Subba title to the Limbus in Limbuwan. Following the annexation of Kirati kindgom into Nepal, the term Rai has become more common in use and the true identity of the kirati sub-groups obscure. In one instance a British office staioned in Sikkim around the mid 1860s had termed the clans suchs as Nembang, Laxam, Chemjong, Wanem, Kambang, Phago, Khejum and some others as Rais which is apparently not the case.

As such I believe that's plenty to research upon the actual identity of the many sub-groups in the Rai ethnicity.

Mar. 13th 12:57 AM

d debate needs to b on ...

Mar. 21st 12:49 AM

how come we RAIs have so many dialects whilst LIMBUS they dont... As far as I am aware LIMBUS their's deffer only few words. I dont speak but I do understand them.