A brief introduction of Sanyak Limbu.

According to historical records, the Sanyak Limbu is considered one of the oldest descendants specifically in the Chaubise areas of the Dhankuta district. The Chaubise area is a small segment of Yakthung Laje in historical context. Located in the eastern part of the Dhankuta district, it is regarded as the original homeland of the Sanyak Limbu.

The specifics of how and when different Limbu and Kirat groups settled in this area remain unknown. Determining the earliest inhabitants of this region is challenging. However, historical records suggest that the Sanyak descendants were among the first settlers in the area. The Sanyak Limbu is also known as Khammbongba and Lumbongba within the Chaubise area.

It seems that early people preferred riverbanks when choosing routes for movement, as rivers provided essential resources for quenching hunger and thirst. Narrow paths along the riverbanks served as natural highways at that time. Rivers were the paths to eternal destinations, and many of the world's greatest civilizations were established near coasts and riversides.

The process of moving northward from the lower plains of the Chaubise region, following the Saptakoshi River, had been for thousands of years. As people moved uphill from the Arun and Sunkoshi areas, they would follow the banks of the Tamor River. They used to settle slightly above the section between the Raghuwa and Chharuwa Rivers, passing through Mulghat in the Dhankuta district. At present, the social conditions of the castes and tribes, particularly the Majhi caste, who have lived in this region for thousands of years, have been disturbed by modern developments, including the construction of the Tamor Corridor highway.

A long time ago, a group of humans arrived at the same place following the Saptakoshi River. Coincidentally, each of the four brothers in this group had a son born to each of their four wives. In the Limbu language, giving birth is called "Sa+Dhapma," and the place where children are born is called "Den." Therefore, this place was named "Sadhapmaden" (Sa+dhapma+den)

This place is located about 8 km north of the Mulghat Bridge on the Tamor River in Dhankuta. The Shanehang genealogy records that these four brothers then continued their journey north and east along the Tamor River. Gobinda Nayanghang, a searcher of the Nayanghang lineage, states that three of these brothers continued further north from Sadhamtar, while one remained in Sadhamtar, and his clans spread at Chaubise. Among them, the eldest son was known as "Sanyakpa," followed by "Thaksuba," "Langbeba," and the youngest, "Nayangba,".

According to the "Mundhumi Locations Study Report-2075" by Prof. Amar Tumhang (Amarjung Limbu), he investigates the Bhoomiputras (indigenous people) of the Chaubise region and refer The Yakthung Limbus have a Mundhumi tradition for cutting the bamboo that carries the corpse and buying soil for digging graves for the burial of the deceased.

In this Mundhum, the original proto-Mundhumi name "Sanyakpa" is mentioned along with other names as follows: "Sanyakpa, Kattawa, Loliba Namyoba, Chiappa Thalangwa, Nayangba" (according to Aithang Sutlung, and Samba/ Yeba of Taplejung). From this, it can be assumed that the primitive inhabitants of Kurletenupa Yak were the castes now called Sanyakpa and that the tombs belonged to them.

According to Amarjang Limbu's report, Kurule Tenupa Yak has been completely destroyed, and a school building has been erected on that site. During the construction of the said building, gunshots and garlands of Pulik (a type of flower) were found in the ground.

Interestingly, there is still a tradition among the Limbu society, except for the Sanyak Limbus, to request permission with Sanyak Limbus and their clans when buying land for digging a hole to burry a deceased. According to a conversation with a local inhabints named Bhakta Nembang, "the original inhabitants of Kurle Tenupa Yak were the Khambongba Lumbongba tribes, now known as the Sanyaks. It can be assumed that the tombs found at the site belonged to these indigenous Sanyak communities.

Settlement Area of Sanyak Limbu

According to Mundhum (oral tradition) and history, the place of origin of the Sanyak Limbus is the Chaubise area. There are 14 subgroups of the Sanyak Mingsra, but only 6 of them are currently in existence. The remaining 7 subgroups are almost extinct. Among the six existing sub-groups, the most prominent ones based on population size are Tumsa, Tumba, Nayangba, Thaksuba, Yongsingba, and Langbeba.

The British historian Eden Vansittat has identified 12 sub-groups within the Sanyak Limbu. In addition to the sub-groups mentioned above, Vansittat also listed Ligden, Lokpeba, Paksang, Thokpeba, and wayam Khajung as part of the Sanyak sub-groups. However, the latest research suggests that these additional sub-groups mentioned by Vansittat may not actually be included within the Sanyak sub-groups. It is assumed that this discrepancy may have arisen because the British citizens heard the Nepali dialect spoken by a Limbu individual living in a remote corner of Nepal.

The Sanyak Limbu claim Bodhe (also known as Padhe Yak) as their Mangena Yak (Ancestor's place) and also pronounce paralally to Kurule Yak in their rituals by Phedangba Phejari. Moreover, The Phedangma Phejaari ( Sanyak Priest) Pronounce the Kurule Yak at first and Padhe after as " Kurule Yak- Padhe Yak".

According to the history, the ancestor of Sanyak Limbu was Cheswihang, one major king among the "Eight Kings" of very earlier stage of Limbuwan. One remarkable and historic ancestor of Sanyak Limbu was Soiyok Ladohang, emerged as a brave king who participated in the fierce battles between the "Ten Limbu Kings" and "Eight Limbu Kings" in the 8th century. Soiyok Ladohang had ruled over the Chaubise region after the ending of the war between ten and eight Limbu and he had constructed or renovating Sangori Yok, (known today as Sanguri Gadhi). This stronghold played a crucial role in defending against enemies from the southern plains. The ruins of the old palace of the brave King Soiyok Ladohang (pronounced as "Laido Sanyak hang" by the Sanyak Phedangba Phejari) is laying as a living proof at the present day, approximately 8 km north of Dharan Municipality and 2.5 km from the scenic spot of Bhedetar.

Presently, the Sanyak Limbus primarily inhabit the Chaubise area, which is divided between the Chaubise and Sangurigadhi Rural Municipalities. The key settlements of the Sanyak descendants include Namphuwa, Sirubani, Todke, Serjemba, Nibhara, Khopigaun, Tokromba, Chapmabung, Malbase, Aambote, Bhirgaun, Kerabari, Deurali, Siddipur, Sogum, Surungi, Bodhe, Budhimorang, Bhedetar, Mahabharat, Sanguri, Khwaphok, Sapten, Maden, and Sano Hambekla. These areas are predominantly inhabited by the Tumsa and Tumba clans.

The general information and records shows, the Sanyak Limbu have migrated to outer districts from Dhankuta are Sankhuwasabha, Terhthum, Panchthar, Taplejung, Ilam, Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, and Bhojpur, as well as to Kathmandu Valley. They have settled abroad since ancient times in Assam, Bhutan, Sikkim, Myanmar (Burma), various parts of India, Hong Kong, UK, and USA.

Social surveys indicate that Sanyak descendants are involved in professions ranging from police and military service (including in India, the UK, and Singapore) to various businesses, although fewer have attained senior positions.

Here is presented the list of famous ancestors of the Sanyak Limbu descendants:

Historical Figures

Cheswihang (5th century)

A courageous king of the ancient Yakthung Kingdom, one among the eight prominent kings.
Sadingge Tingehang (late 5th century)

A mythological ancestor of the Sanyak Limbu, called out by priests in various rituals. Invoked during rituals pronouncing "Kurule Yak, Padheyak, Khamhelaa, Ambepaja, Sadinge Tinge Hang Kuru Wamisa" (Son of Sadinge Tingehang).
Soiyok Ladohang (Laido Sanyak hang, 8th century)

A brave Sanyak king who played a crucial role during the war between the "Ten Limbu Kings" and "Eight Limbu Kings."
Naamedohang (9th century)

Another mythological king of Sanyak Limbu ancestors, known for his bravery and support to his brother Sanyak hang.
Nam-Nam and Ya-Ya

Ancestors of the Nayanghang lineage, renowned for their bravery in battles against enemies.
Maharange King (14th century)

A courageous king of Sapten, known for his leadership. There is a mythological story that a standing stone, approximately 8 feet tall, located in Sapten is a notable landmark. According to the story, this was the place where the Maharange king kept tied up his elephants.
Morange King (14th century)

A brave ruler from Budhi Morang, known for his rivalry with Maharange King.
Saambithang (15th century)

An ancestor of the Sanyak Limbu descendants from Bodhe. Legend has it that after his death at the age of 80, people took him for his funeral in the Tamor River, but he miraculously revived and lived for another 24 years.
Khanbekhang (1560 A.D.)

A courageous figure from Bodhe who married two wives. The Tumba and Tumsa subgroups into Sanyak group were born after his death. Tumba was the first son from his second marriage, while Tumsa was the last son from his first wife.
Suna Ray (1774 A.D.)

Known for signing an agreement after the war- peace between the Gorkha and Limuwan in 1831 B.S.
Aasik ram Ray (1794 A.D.)
Chatursing Ray, Padi Ray, Dhanbir Ray, Subhamukhi Ray (1820 A.D.)

Received "Subhangi" in different places of the Chaubise area during the reign of King Rajendra Bikram Shah.
Bajansingh Ray, Baghajit Ray (1866 A.D.)

Received "Subhangi" in different places of the Chaubise area during the reign of King Rajendra Bikram Shah.

Sanyak Limbu Subhangi Authorities

According to the land boundary measurement in Bikram Sambat 1997, the Sanyak Limbu descendants who received Subhangi (an authority to collect tax etc.) between Bikram Sambat 1997 to 2032 are listed in the following table. The Subhangi authority received areas were Tamor River east, southern part of Mahabharat, North of Namphuwa, Lohakil height, west from Nawakhola (River) Chharuwa and Jaruwa Khola (River), Kurule, Sogum and Bodhe, and Mikluk area.

S.N	Name of Subba and Ray	Place of Subhangi	Time Period	Remarks
1	Ray Dillishowr Limbu	Todke	B.S 1997	The central authority was submitted 30 Muri soil from Ray Dillishwor Limbu
2	Subba Udaya Bahadur Limbu	Khoppigaun	B.S 1997
3	Subba Raamri Limbuni	Kurule	B.S 1997
4	Aage Subba Jangadhoj Limbu	Khoppigaun	B.S 1997	Aage Subba
5	Subba Hark Bahadur Limbu	Sogum	B.S 1997
6	Subba Runcha Bahadur Limbu	Sogum	B.S 1997
7	Subba Dil Bahadur Limbu	Tokramba	B.S 1997
8	Subba Hark Bahadur Limbu	Bhirgaun	B.S 1997
9	Subba Aas Bahadur Limbu	Bhirgaun	B.S 2032
10	Subba Khadg Bahadur Limbu	Todke	B.S 2032
11	Subba Kali Bahadur Limbu	Serjamba	B.S 2032
12	Subba Ranglal Limbu	Maalbase	B.S 2032
13	Subba Bir Bahadur Limbu	Sogum	B.S 2032
14	Aage Subba Bhupalsingh Limbu	Khuwaphok	B.S 2032	Aage Subba

Our Goal

To safeguard and promote the rich historical heritage of the Sanyak Limbu descendants through comprehensive research, preservation, and advocacy, while uniting all Sanyak Limbu descendants worldwide for social renaissance via genealogical documentation, welfare and advancing socio-economic activities to empower and foster community development.

Our Objective

To preserve and promote the historical, social and cultural locations and geography related to Sanyak Limbu descendants.
To study, research and preserve the social, cultural, religious and linguistic aspects of the Sanyak Limbu descendant.
To protect and promote places and objects of historical and archaeological importance related to Sanyak Limbu.
Constructing a genealogy of the Sanyak Limbu descendants and conveying it for information sharing among Sanyak community who are living inside and outside the country.
Conducting the empowerment activities via educational, health related and community welfare for Sanyak Limbu descendants for their capacity development.
To foster brotherhood within Sanyak Limbu, other ethnic groups and within the human race.