Culture
Culture is the totality of human life passed down traditionally from generation to generation. It is the way of life experienced by thousands of generations. Culture is also ancient knowledge that is connected with various human activities. It is the lifestyle adopted by people in the course of earning a living.
The collective expression of a community’s or society’s way of life—including language, religion, art, music, food, clothing, and traditions—is called culture. In essence, culture encompasses personal, social, economic, political, and religious systems, as well as art, lifestyle, language, attire, and forms of worship. The creation of culture is not possible through the effort of a single individual alone. Since the beginning of creation, humans have been developing their own forms of culture. It is something continuously transmitted from ancient times.
Culture and rituals are different. Culture is the external identity of society, while rituals are an individual or group's internal consciousness and moral values. Rituals are developed in a person from childhood through family, school, elders, and society. Bowing to elders by touching the ground, bowing while offering food or handing something, and showing respect to the elderly by touching their feet are rituals of the Limbu people.
Intangible Culture
Culture is of two types: tangible and intangible. Tangible culture includes objects that can be seen and touched, such as Mundhumi sites, Chautaro (resting places), ponds, Mangdhan(abode of God/Goddess), samadhi (burial place), and Mangena Yak.
Intangible culture includes knowledge and experiences that cannot be seen or touched. This includes Mundhum, language, literature, religion, philosophy, folk art, and so on. Intangible cultural heritage encompasses oral traditions and expressions, including language, performing arts, social behaviors, rituals, festivals, knowledge and practices related to nature and the universe.
Intangible culture varies according to caste, religion, geography, and country. Culture changes with time, society, and community. A person’s personality is shaped according to the cultural environment they live in. Culture is created by individuals, families, and society to fulfill human needs, beliefs, and entertainment.
Palam, Yalang, Kelang, Yakthung festivals, and knowledge of Yakthung cuisine are examples of Yakthung intangible culture.
Yakthung Intangible Culture
In every ritual performed by the Limbu, Mundhum is recited. Anyone who grows up in a Limbu villages participates in Chyabrung (Kelang) and Dhan Nach (Yalang) dances.). Along with the Dhananach dance, Palam is performed. During weddings (Tendham Metkhim), the Phungwa Changma Samlo (flower revitalizing song) and Hakpare Samlo are sung.
At Meringthakma (singing lamentation songs), either after a person's death or during ritual of purification, mourners express grief through rhythmic crying and lamentation. In the Hakpare Samlo, the village elders, knowledgeable Tumyahangs of the Mundhum in the village praise and recite the Mundhum through Hakpare. There is a question-and-answer session in Hakpare.
In expressions of longing, Limbus play Susela by calling the wind (Khyuwa), producing sounds with leaves (Pepeneppa), leaping with joy (Hachchum Lakma), throwing shot put (Palum Lepma), and mimicking the casting of fishing hooks (Kheng Lepma), among others. The Limbus have practiced these traditions as part of their cultural heritage.
As dance and music, Chyabrung, Hakpare, and Palam are the main cultures of the Limbu. In Tangsing rituals, various dramatic performances are enacted while dancing.
Our ancestors have celebrated festivals like Chasok Thisok, Yakwa, Kakfekwa, and Sisekpa Tangnam since ancient times.
Therefore, Mundhum, Chyabrung (Kelang), Dhananach (Yalang), Yebalang, Palam, Hakpare Samlo, Suselo (Khyu?wa), Fal Halne (Hachhum Lakma), Chelo Hanne (Palum Lepma), Balchi Hatre (Kheng Lepma), Binayo, Murchanga Bawaune (Kohm), Pat Bajane (Pepe Nepa), Phungwa Changma Samlo, Mering Thakma (mourning songs), and others are Yakthung intangible cultures.
The ancient intangible cultural knowledge of the Limbu community is gradually disappearing day by day. Culture is the identity of any individual, caste, class, community, or nation.