Nepal Rais & Limbus : Nepal  

Nepal Rais & Limbus - Travel guide

Nepal

Rais & Limbus

The Rais come from surrounding hills in the north-eastern Nepal; mainly near Dhankuta, Terhathum, Bhojpur and Arun and Dudh valleys. Likewise, the Limbus come from the extreme east of Nepal; mainly from the region of Taplejung, Khotang and Arun Valley.

The Rais are neither purely Hindu nor Buddhist. They have their own deities and beliefs. Tibetan lamaism has, however, great influence in their rites and rituals. The Limbus follow a mixture of Shivaism, Buddhism and Animism. Among the Rais, marriages are monogamous. The marriages are held by arrangements, captures and elopements. The Limbus follow the same marriage tradition. Both the Rais and Limbus bury the deceased and place a tombstone on the grave, bearing the name and date.