Leuven, Belgium — The protection of Mukkumlung, the sacred religious, cultural and historical heritage site of the Limbu (Yakthung) people, emerged as the central agenda of the Second Europe-wide Limbu (Yakthung) Conference and Yakthung Mundhum Academic Forum, held in Leuven, Belgium.
Organised by Kirat Yakthung Chumlung (KYC), the two-day conference concluded with the adoption of a five-point Belgium Declaration, calling for the protection of Mukkumlung and expressing concern over the ongoing dispute surrounding the historic Limbuwan capital of Vijayapur in Dharan.
Most speakers stressed that Mukkumlung is a sacred religious and cultural site for the Limbu community whose original identity must be preserved under all circumstances. They described the site as an important spiritual centre connecting the Limbu people with nature, ancestral spirits and divine powers, and urged the Government of Nepal and all relevant stakeholders to treat the issue with the utmost sensitivity.
Addressing the conference, Nepal’s Ambassador to Belgium and the European Union, Seva Lamsal, said the Limbu community is exceptionally rich in art, culture and traditional values. She described the organisation of an international academic discussion on Kirat civilisation and culture as a significant achievement.
Ambassador Lamsal also encouraged greater publication of research, literature and documentation relating to Limbu civilisation, Mundhum, indigenous traditions and cultural heritage, noting that the Limbu are an indigenous, nature-worshipping people.
The keynote speaker, Pravina Gurung, President of the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) Belgium, presented a paper on Kirat Mundhum, describing it as the philosophical foundation of Kirat culture, traditions, script and customs. She said Mundhum encompasses religion, culture, social conduct and traditional customary law.
Scholar Prem Chandra Ninglekhu presented a paper entitled “The Journey of Chotlung in Tangsing Mundhum”, describing Mundhum as the spiritual lifeblood of the Yakthung people and a philosophical guide to understanding life, humanity and the universe. He also explained various rituals and traditions contained within Mundhum.
Another keynote speaker, Biswasdip Tigela, presented a research paper titled “Participation of the Limbu Community in Nepalese Politics.” He expressed concern over the declining proportion of the Limbu population during the past 31 years, arguing that the trend has directly weakened the community’s political representation.
Presenting recent political data, Tigela claimed that the reduction of parliamentary constituencies in areas densely populated by Limbu communities has been one of the principal reasons for their declining political representation.
He further alleged that Mukkumlung, regarded as the spiritual and cultural heart of the Limbu people, is being threatened in the name of development. He argued that if genuine development is the objective, investment should instead be directed towards education, healthcare, employment and industrial development.
Social activist and scholar Tek Bahadur Phago Limbu spoke on the origin and civilisation of the Limbu people, expressing concern that many indigenous Kirat traditions and cultural practices are gradually disappearing. He also argued that constitutional reform is necessary to ensure the rights of the Limbu community and called for a stronger movement to safeguard Limbuwan’s identity and indigenous rights.
Om Sharma, President of the Nepal Journalists’ Federation Belgium, praised the Limbu community’s rich artistic, cultural and civilisational heritage and called for collective efforts to preserve and promote it for future generations.
Participant Shantaman Jawegu from Germany suggested that foreign employment, migration and recruitment into the Gurkha forces have been among the major factors contributing to the decline of the Limbu population in Nepal.
The conference also launched “Thang,” a collection of six short stories written in the Limbu language by Sagar Kerung Limbu. The publication was jointly produced by Kirat Yakthung Chumlung Belgium, Portugal, Germany, Malta and Romania. Rukman Kerung, President of Kirat Yakthung Chumlung Portugal, said the publication aims to preserve and promote the Limbu language, script, traditions and cultural heritage.
The conference, chaired by Badan Yonghang, President of Kirat Yakthung Chumlung Belgium, welcomed guests through Makuna Limbu, while Kishor Subba Limbu served as the master of ceremonies.
Representatives from the United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Portugal, Malta and Romania, together with delegates from various ethnic and community organisations based in Belgium, attended the event.
According to the organisers, the second day of the conference focused on future strategies, cooperation and action plans for preserving and promoting the Yakthung language, script, culture and traditions.
To mark Sisekpa Tangnam and Yale Tangbe 5086 (Saune Sankranti), participants also organised a friendly football tournament, Yakthung cultural dances and various cultural performances in Antwerp.
Belgium Declaration
The conference unanimously adopted a five-point Belgium Declaration, which states:
1. The Second Europe-wide Limbu (Yakthung) Chumlung Conference was successfully held with the participation of presidents, office-bearers and representatives of Kirat Yakthung Chumlung organisations from Belgium, Portugal, Germany and Malta. The conference expressed gratitude to all organisations and individuals who contributed to its successful organisation and thanked Kirat Yakthung Chumlung Belgium for hosting and coordinating both the conference and the Sisekpa Tangnam celebrations.
2. The conference confirmed the successful organisation of the Second Limbuwan Academic Forum – Europe Series II in Leuven in the presence of Nepal’s Ambassador Seva Lamsal. Research papers were presented by Biswasdip Tigela Limbu and Prem Chandra Ninglekhu Limbu, followed by an interactive discussion with participants.
3. The conference expressed concern over what it described as the ongoing encroachment upon Vijayapur, the historic capital of Limbuwan, and called for the issue to be resolved through peaceful dialogue.
4. The conference strongly demanded the immediate cancellation of the under-construction Pathibhara (Mukkumlung) Cable Car Project, arguing that it threatens a sacred indigenous heritage site of the Limbu people. It also called for an immediate investigation into allegations that the project had advanced through forged documentation and urged legal action against those found responsible.
5. The conference announced that the Third Europe-wide Limbu Conference and Limbuwan Academic Forum – Europe Series III will be hosted by Kirat Yakthung Chumlung Germany next year.
