Yakthung Cultural Brand – Silam Sakma
Hitaram Tilling
Origin of Silam Sakma
Silam Sakma, practiced as a cultural symbol of the Limbu people, literally means “to block the path of death” or “to preserve life.” Created through traditional handicraft, Silam Sakma is not only a cultural emblem but has now become a cultural brand recognized worldwide.
According to Yakthung Mundhum, the earth was created along with the creation of the universe. At that time, the Earth was submerged in water; there was no land anywhere. Ijumimang Idakamang (the spider) set its web, stretching its thread or fiber in a cross from east to west and north to south. By looping on this cross, it created a mesh. Various objects got stuck in this web, and eventually, land was formed. After the land was formed, Tagera Ningwabhuma created various living beings. Based on this web, Yeba Samba Phedangma made the Silam Sakma.
According to another myth, an epidemic spread in the village of Sawa Yehang. The epidemic killed many people, and people continued dying for many years. Fearing that the human race would be destroyed, people begged Sodhungen Lepmuhang to get rid of the epidemic. Sodhungen Lepmuhang sent Phedangma, Samba, Yeba, and Yema to the village of Sawa Yehang. To eradicate the epidemic, phedangma, Samba, Yeba, and Yema scraped and curled both ends of the two ghungring sticks, pulling out the fibers. They made the Silam Sakma by placing ghungring stick vertically in the middle part and tied it with thread, making nine rounds.
Going to the homes of Sawa, Yethang, the Phedangma, Samba, Yeba, and Yema fixed the Silam Sakma above their hearths on the sarang, reciting the mundhum. After the Silam Sakma was fixed, the rate of death gradually decreased, and the epidemic stopped. Since then, Phedangma, Samba, Yeba, and Yema have been using Silam Sakma to preserve life and prevent epidemics.
According to another myth, Tagera Ningwaphuma Yumamang ordered Porokmi Yamphamimang to create human beings because the universe was incomplete without humans. He created humans from precious metals such as gold, silver, and diamonds, following this order. After creating them, they did not speak when called.
Porokmi Yamphamimang again pleaded with Tagera Ningwaphuma Yumamang. According to Tagera Ningwaphuma Yumamang’s instructions, he made humans from soil, ash, and bird droppings. This became alive. When called upon, it spoke.
The human held his head down as Porokmi Yamphamimang spat on the human made from precious metals for not speaking while called upon and he was on the verge of death. To prevent such an early death, Porokmi Yamphamimang, as Tagera Ningwaphuma Yumamang’s instructions, built Silam Sakma and preserved that person’s life.
Use of Silam Sakma
Since ancient times, the Yakthung ancestors invented the Silam Sakma, and have been using it while Phedangma, Samba, Yeba, and Yema perform rituals such as the Tangsing ceremony, Lambhoba, Tingding Nahen Mikso, Sakmura Khenga, calling and protecting the soul, and preventing misfortune. Silam Sakma is made from raw white thread and used in the rituals for these purposes.
Since 2046 B.S., Limbu organizations have been using it as a logo. Since 2058 B.S., large and colorful Silam Sakma have been made and displayed at programs. Since 2064 B.S., it has been used as an ornament. Some have made it from metals such as gold, silver, and brass to be used as a token of love, as a hospitality gift, and have brought it into use. It has also begun to be displayed in Limbu households.
The motif of Silam Sakma has started to be used on various fabrics made from Dhaka. In recent times, statues of Silam Sakma made of metal have also been constructed in Limbu settlements, squares, parks, and tourist sites. Nowadays, even non-Limbus have started using it. People from the streets to the parliament have begun to wear it; people from huts to palaces have begun to wear it. Therefore, Silam Sakma has become a Yakthung cultural brand.