LIMBU PEOPLE

Limbus or Yakthumbas are one of the largest tribal groups in Nepal. They are a subgroup of the Kiranti people. Limbus are native to the land known as Limbuwan; an area which borders Arun river in Nepal to its west, states Sikkim and West Bengal in India to the east, Tibet to the north, and the Terai plains to its south. Since its annexation to Nepal in 1774, Limbuwan has been divided into administrative districts of Sankhuwasabha, Terhathum, Dhankuta, Taplejung, Panchthar, Ilam, Jhapa, Morang and Sunsari. The Limbus have their own customs, language, tradition, cuisine, religion, mythology, music, dance and sports. The Limbu language is called "Yakthung-Paan", which is a Tibeto-Burman language. Limbus use the Srijonga script. Limbu people are renowned for their martial culture and have contributed heavily in the military 

According to 2001 census, the population of Limbus in Nepal is 359,255. Significant portions of the Limbu population are also spread across the Indian states of West Bengal and Sikkim. Historically, emigration from Limbuwan to other nations has been the result of conflict, and economic reasons. United Kingdom, Burma, Hong Kong, Singapore and Brunei have settlements of Limbus largely as part of the British Gurkhas. Due to Nepal's current economic conditions, thousands of Limbus, along with other fellow Nepalis go to Malaysia, South Korea, Macau and oil-rich countries like Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the Middle East for employment opportunities. Many Limbu families in recent decades have now begun to permanently migrate to well-developed, immigrant friendly countries like Australia, Canada, UK and the United States for better quality of life and higher standard of living.