Lisbon, July 27, 2025 – For the first time, a Europe-wide gathering of Yakthung (Limbu) communities from across various European countries was successfully held in Lisbon, Portugal.
The historic assembly concluded with the release of a three-point declaration. The resolution commits to organizing an annual Europe-level Limbu gathering, coordinated by a rotating team of presidents from the national chapters of the Kirat Yakthung Chumlung established across Europe. The declaration also emphasized organizing various initiatives in support of the re-establishment of Limbuwan and expressed solidarity with the ongoing movement against the encroachment of the sacred Mukumlung site.
The event was hosted on Sunday evening at the Everest Restaurant in Anjos, Lisbon, with good wishes from Rukman Kerung, President of Kirat Yakthung Chumlung Portugal; Badan Yonghang, President from Belgium; Biswas Dip Tigela from the UK; and Sanchaman Jabegu, President from Germany. The gathering saw the participation of Chumlung officials and members, as well as representatives from various other community organizations.
The second session featured an academic debate on Limbuwan. Veteran journalist and historian Raj Kumar Dikpal presented on the historical documents of the Limbus, while Biswas Dip Tigela spoke on Yakthung participation in politics. Robert Limbu discussed the gradual loss of autonomous Limbu lands, Premchandra Ninglekhu elaborated on various aspects of the Mundhum (Limbu oral scripture), and Kishor Subba presented a paper on the labour contributions of Nepalis in Portuguese agriculture in the context of obtaining Portuguese citizenship.
A question-and-answer session followed, during which participants engaged with the presenters. The discussion segment was moderated by Rukman Kerung.
