The Kirats and Yellomber Year (Buddhi,L. Khamdhak)

Seminar Paper to be presented

On

15^th November, 2009

In

Kathmandu, Nepal.

Topic: The Kirats and Yellomber Year

By

Buddhi,L. Khamdhak

Lecturer

Department of Limboo

Namchi Government College

South Sikkim.

The Kirats and Yallomber Year

-Buddhi L. Khamdhak

The Kirats, who constitute the Mongoloid physiognomy, are one of the ethnic races scattered all over the Himalayan region. They bear unique mode, faith and belief, rich language, distinct culture, tradition and multidimensional history.

The word ‘Kirat’ is as old as the ancient history of Nepal, India and the other part of the world. It even recoreded to have appears in the ancient Indian Epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana and Vedas, Yajuved, Atharved, Taitriya, Brahamana and Puranas (Sanyal, 1979). The main component of the Kirat are Limboo, Rai, Yakkha and Sunuwar, who at present, inhabit the Himalayan belt like Sikkim, Nepal, some parts of West Bengal and North-Eastern states of India.

Origin of the word ‘Kirat’ and homeland of Kirats:

There are different opinions regarding the origin of the word ‘Kirat’. In the view of Suniti Kumar Chatterjee,(as Professor TB Subba quotes, 2004) the word ‘Kirat’ had a negative, sub-human or animal connotation as he is said to have referred the ‘Kirat’ to be an ugly man, a wild man, a cruel man, a robber, a forester and the like. Narad Muni Thulung, Kirat scholar, (as JR Subba quotes, 1999) views that “the Himalayan region lying from Sindhu River to Brahamaputra River was known as Kalat in the ancient times. The inhabitants of Kalat were known as Karati.” According to Chemjong, a noted Kiratalogist, the word Kirat is the “corruption form of Kirat, Kiryat or Kirjath which means the fort or town in (the) Moabite language of (the) Mediterranean region”. He also records that the original home of the Kirat was Babylon from where they were derived out by the Hebrews under the leadership of Moses and were forced to migrate towards the east (2004). Regarding the earlier settlement of the Kirats, he further adds, “The famous seven Kirat kingdoms during the Mahabharat time were Kabul, Kulu Valley, North Bihar, Bengal, Assam, Garhwal and Nepal”. Another historian, GP Singh, considers the word Kirat to have originated from Cireta, Cirata or Cirayeta, which in the opinion of TB Subba is the name of a herb, famous for its bitter taste and high medical value, and which is known to be one of the important article acquired by the Aryans from the Kirat mountain dwellers.(2004). JR Subba referring the folktales, views the word ‘Kirat’ to have corrupted either from ‘Kereta’ meaning “silkworm” or ‘Kirwa’, meaning ‘mustache of the tiger’ (1999, pp, 53-54). Bal Chandra Sharma (as quoted by JR Subba, 1999), opines the word Kirat to have derived from the word ‘Chiraita’ (Sweta chiraita). As he assumed that the original place of the Kirat people to be the South-Eastern part of Himalayas where Sweta chiraita was found in ample.

While referring to the origin of the word ‘Kirats,’ another historian, Milton Sangma referred to the “people now represented by the Mongoloid group inhabiting different parts of North-East Indian”. Vansittart (1906) quoting the records of SC Das, views that the tribes inhabiting the regions between the Dudhkosi and Arun are the “Kiatas”. In the accounts of Kirkpatrick (1811, pp, 280- 281), “the inhabitants of the mountainous tract lying between the Nepual frontier towards the Teesta, illustrated by the town and district of Sookhim, Morung in the south-east quarter, towns of Dhoalka and Lastie on the north-east, Kuchar to the west of Phullak below Kooti, entire mountainous range, giving rise to several rapid streams, Soan-Kousi, Bhootia-Kousi, Tambeh-Kousi, Dhoodh-Kousi, the Arun and the Teesta,…..etc, differing from each other in their language and manners are Kerrautes”. From what have been accorded above by the different scholars and historians, it is certain that the word Kirat is given to the ethnic races of the Mongoloid physiognomy, inhabiting the whole Himalayan region since ancient times.

Emergence of Kirat Dynasty

From both ancient as well as modern historical records it reveals that Nepal was ruled by the different dynasties in the ancient times. Although Vansittart in his “Gorkhas,” records altogether thirteen Dynasties (Gopala dynasty, Ahir Dynasty from India, Kirat Dynasty, Somavansi Dynasty, Suryavansi Dynasty, Thakuri Dynasty, Nawakot Thakuri Dynasty, Second Thakuri Dynasty of Amsu Varman Dynasty, Karnataki Dynasty, Magar Dynasty of Palpa, Ajodhya Dynasty, Third Thakuri Dynasty, Bhatgaon dynasty, Katmandu Dynasty, Patan Dynasty etc, 1906,pp-13-21), yet, six dynasties viz Gopala, Maheshpal, Kirat, Lichavis, Malla and Sahah dynasty are most commonly preferred and mentioned. Of these, the Kirat dynasty is glorified to have brought considerable developments and achievements in the field of socio-economic, art, literature and religion.

Through the chronicles of the Dynasties of Nepal, the Kirat Dynasty is learnt to have had emerged as the third dynasty in Nepal, after defeating the Ahirs in 500 BC (Sanyal, 1979, pp-11). However, so far as a dynastic historical record of the Kirat rulers, their generations, the duration and period of their regime is concerned, there is no unanimity among the scholars. According to Eden Vansittart, the Kirats ruled over Nepal from about 600 BC to 226 BC ie for 374 years and the rulers under Kirat Dynasty as he records were 29.The first Kirat King, was Yalamber,600 BC and the last Kirat ruler mentioned by him was Gasti, 226 BC(1906,pp-21). Kirkpatrick too, mentions named Yellung as the first king of Kirat and period of his rule (Yellung) as he (Kirkpatrick) states was 90 years and 3 months. He also further records the names of 26 Kirat rulers after Yellung and remarked the span of their rule up to 1581 years and 1 month (1811, pp-257-258).Similarly, Prem Bdr. Mabohang and Bhupendra Sharma mention 16 names of the Kirat rulers including Yallomber (BS-2011,pp-48-49). While referring to historian of Sikkim, JR Subba, and a noted Anthropologist, Professor, TB Subba, the names of Kirat rulers range from 25-33 and 22-32 respectively. Even the name of the first Kirat King found to have written as Ilamb by Sanyal, Yellung by Kirkpatrick, Yalambara by Wright,Yalamba by Levi, Yalamber by Vansittart and Yalambhang by the others in the various histories. The era and span of their rule too, remains obscure. The total number of years under their rule is found to range from between 1100 to 1500 years and era between 3102 BC to 600 AD (Subba). In the view of GP Sing (as Subba quotes) the Kirats ruled over the valley of Nepal for 1000 years in both pre and post Ashokan period (2004,p-29).In the account of Subba JR, Kirat dynasty emerged and ruled from 900 BC to 8^th Century AD with its capital on the bank of Yellung river, a tributary of Tamber Koshi, Nepal. Accounting to the first Kirat King, Chemjong does not agree with what the other scholars have remarked. He argues that first Kirat King of central Nepal was Banashur who was conquered and slain by King, Bhuktaman (Subba, 2004,p-29).

Whatsoever may be the opinions among different scholars and historians in the various available literatures regarding the Kirat Dynasty, in present-day Nepal, it is certain that the first Kirat King was Yallomber and the Kirats ruled over the part of Nepal for a considerable period of time until they were overthrown by the Lichavis. Thus, this fact can not be denied and ignored.

Yallomber Year: Its use in Sikkim

Yallomber Year in Sikkim, is found to have used for the first time in 1993 and 1997 in the Limboo magazines, “Kenjo” and “Marotiphung” edited by Shri Tejman Nembang. Against 1993 and 1997, the Yallomber Year appeared to have used by him were 5054 and 5058. But the concept regarding the use of Yallomber Year remained obscure and undefined at that time as Nembang did not make any description and clarification. In Darjeeing, Lt. Jas Hang Maden is credited to have prepared Limboo Calendar in 1989-90. Infact, the Calendar bearing Yellomber Year, 5049, prepared and published by him was the first Limboo Calendar ever produced in the history of Limboos. But what was the base used by Maden in preparing the Calendar indicating Yallomber Year is still unclear. In Sikkim, between 1990 to 1997 no Limboo Calendars bearing Yallomber Year were published except two aforesaid Limboo magazines and handwritten Limboo Calendar (1996-97 depicting YY 5058) by Tejman Nembang. While taking personal interview with Shri Tejman Nembang, he clarified that “the idea which he had applied was borrowed from Lt Jas Hang Maden”. But now the question is if the former had have developed the idea of using YY from the latter then why is there gap of two years between the YY used by Maden and Tejman Nembang ? This area seemed to be the center of problem from where differences arose and is going on increasing.

In 1991, KYC, Nepal also had have published Limboo Calendar, bearing 5050-51 Yallomber Year. This calendar is found to have taken the base used by Jas Hang Maden. In 1996, Limboo Language Study Center, Ghoom, had produced another Limboo Calendar bearing 5056 Yellamber Year. Here the YY went ahead by 1 year margin in comparison to Maden.

In Sikkim, in 1997, for the publication and preparation of Annual Limboo Calendar, An Advisory Committee consisting of 23 members was constituted at Gangtok. The task and responsible for preparing the Limboo Calendar was entrusted upon Shri RB Yakthungchum by the Committee. Shri Yakthungchum and the said committee accomplished the Limboo Calendar in January 1997. The Yallomber Year which appeared on the Calendar was 5058. Along with this, a booklet named, “Limboo Naya Bars Tatha Maha Bars Ko Mundhum” by Yakthungchum was also published to substantiate it.

According to the description given in the booklet, “Yallomber was Jeetay Ingla’s grandson, Senche Ingwa’s son and when he was enthroned after the death of his father, the Kaliyak had gone by 40 years”. Same concept is also been explained by Mabohang & Sharma in their, “Sanchikta Nepal Itihas” (2011). In their view, “Senche Ingwa, Yallomber’s father died when Kaliyuk was undergone by the 39 years and after one year Yallumber became the King. During the time when Yallomber was enthroned, the Kaliyuk was passed by 40 years.” In his book (1997), Yakthungchum, remarks the same concept described by Mabohang and Sharma and claims that the Kaliyuk, in the year 1997, had passed by 5098 years. The 1997, in which Yakthungchum assumes Kaliyuk to had passed by 5098 years of duration, subtracts 40 years of Kaliyuk (the year in which Yallumber was said to have enthroned), from 5098 (Kaliyuk said to have already passed by 1997) and indicates the Yalumber year to be 5058 in 1997. This was the base used by Yakthungchum while preparing Limboo Calendar assuming 5058 as Yallumber Year in 1997(See Table-2) But while going through the previous records of 1993, even Yakthungchum seemed to have borrowed the concept from Tejman Nembang who had used the YY in Sikkim for the first time in Kenjo, (1993:5054) Marotiphung (1997:5058) and handwritten Limboo Calendar (1996-97:5058).

The Limboo Calendar in Sikkim is being published every year since 1997. In 1997-2000 by Limboo Calendar Committee, 2001 by Bhojraj Tumbapo, 2002-2004 by Sukhim Yakthung Sapsok Songjumbho, 2004 by Wangraj Nugo and from 2005-till date by Tilhang and SB Mngmoo. (See Table-2).

While comparing the Yallomber Year used by them Maden and Yakthungchum in their Calendars, there is a difference of two years. (SeeTable-2) For instance, Maden during the time when he prepared the Calendar in 1990, he wrote YY as 5049 and Yakthungchum 1997, as 5058. If the latter would have taken the basis of former then YY in 1997 should had have written 5056. Even the Yallomber Year which was used in the Siliguri based Limboo newspaper edited and owned by R Libang seemed to be two years ahead in comparison to what was supposed to be according Maden’s application in 1990.YY used in the paper in 2001 was 5062. In this Shri Libang seemed to have taken Yakthungchum’s concept as the base.

While the Calendars prepared and published by Limboo Language Study Center, Ghoom and Kirat Hangsam Samyo, Domok are accorded, they are found to use neither base applied by Maden nor Yakthungchum. They are seemed to have used Yellomber Year which is one year later and one year earlier than what Yathungchum and Maden had applied in their respective calendars (See Table-2). Even when the Limboo Calendar prepared by Shri SB Mangmoo and Tilhang is examined, it is found to have used neither Maden’s base nor Yakthungchum’s. The Yellomber Year applied in those calendars are lagging behind by one year margin in comparison to Yakthungchum’s base and moving one year ahead in comparison to Maden’s base(SeeTable-2). Both Bhojraj Tumbapo and Wangraj Nugo seemed to have used Yakthungchum’s base (See Table-2) The Limboo Calendar Committee also seemed to have followed Yakthungchum’s base in 1997 and 1998. But in 2000, it seemed to have followed neither Yakthungchum’s nor Maden’s.The differences also seemed to occur in the Calendars prepared by Sukhim Yakthung Sopsok Songjumbho in 2002, 2003 and 2004(See Table-2).

Absence of uniformity, well defined and clear concept regarding Yellomber Year among those who opt, apply and use for it, has been problematic as it has been creating number of confusion among the common people. Until and unless the concept of Yallomber Year is clear and well defined and findings are not done, the problem pertaining to the use of Yellomber Year goes on increasing.

Table-1 showing the assumption and calculation done by Yakthungchum to find Yallomber Year:

Kaliyuk passed by 1997 is	5098 yrs
Kaliyuk passed while Yallomber was enthroned	- 40 yrs
Total Kaliyuk assumed to have passed	5058 yrs

Table-2. Showing the Yellomber Year used in the various calendars and their differences;

	Yel Yr supposed to be on basis of Jashang Maden	Yel Yr used In various Calendars		Yel Yr Supposed to be on the basis of RB Yakthung chum
1989-90	5049	5049	Jas Hang Maden,Darjeeling (Snake)	5051	1990
1991	5050	5050-51	Kirat Yakthung Chumlung,Nepal	5052	1991
1992	5051			5053	1992
1993	5052	5054	Tejman Nebang (Kenjo)	5054	1993
1994	5053			5055	1994
1995	5054			5056	1995
1996	5055	5056	Limboo Lang Study Centre, Ghoom	5057	1996
1997	5056	5058	Limboo Calendar Committee (Bull)	5058	1997
1998	5057	5059	Limbu Calendar Committee (Tiger)	5059	1998
1999	5058	5059	Kirat Hangsam Samyo,Domok	5060	1999
2000	5059	5060	Limboo Cal Comtee,(Thunderbolt)	5061	2000
2001	5060	5062	BhojrajTumbapo,Tharpu (Snake)	5062	2001
2002	5061	5062	SYSS (Horse)	5063	2002
2003	5062	5063	SYSS (Sheep)	5064	2003
2004	5063	5064	SYSS,Monkey,5065,Wangraj Nugo	5065	2004
2005	5064	5065	TilHang,Mangmu&DM Limbu (Hen)	5066	2005
2006	5055	5066	Til Hang &SB Mangmoo (Dog)	5067	2006
2007	5056	5067	Til Hang &SB Mangmoo (Pig)	5068	2007
2008	5057	5068	Til Hhang &SB Mangmoo(Rat)	5069	2008
2009	5058	5069	Til Hang &SB Mangmoo(Bull)	5070	2009

Note;Yel Yr indicates Yellomber Year

References;

Chemjong,IS(2004 reprinted),The History and Culture of Kirat People, Kanchan Printing press, Bagbazar, Kathmandu,Nepal.

Karkpatrick,Colonel (1811), An Account of the Kingdom of Nepal, Asian Pubplication, New Delhi.

Mabohang & Sharma (BS-2011),Sanchikta Nepal Itihas, Subash Printing Press, Lalitpur, Nepal.

Sanyal, CC (1979), South Eastern Huimalayan Kirat People, Dipti Printing and Binding Works,13M, Ariff Road,Calcutta.

Subba,JR(1999),The Limboos of Eastern Himalayas with Special reference to Sikkim, Ambica Printers,New Delhi.

(2008), History, Culture and Customs of Sikkim, Gyan Publishing House, New Delhi.

Subba,TB (2004),Politics of Culture: A Study of three Kirat Communities in the Eastern Himalayas, Orient Longman Limited,160,Anna Salai, Channai.

Vansittart, Eden (1906), Handbook For The Indian Army Gorkhas, Asian Educational Services,New Delhi.

Yakthungchum,RB (1997), Limboo Naya Bars Tatha Maha Basrko Mundhum, Gangtok,Sikkim.