Facts about Sunuwar

The Kiranti-Kõits

The Kiranti-Kõits (Indo-Aryan Nepali term ‘Sunuwar') are one of the Mongoloid tribes (anthropologically: Mongoloid stock) who number 95, 254. The term ‘Kõits’ is autonym of the tribe, which is also the name of the Mother Tongue. Other terms like ‘Sunwar (not to be confused with the terms Sunar, Sonar, Swornakar), Mukhiya or Mukhia’ are exonym of the tribe. There is another common teasing name (mainly given by outsiders) of the tribe coined from the Mother Tongue itself, e.g. ‘Maaraapaache’ lexically maar ‘what’ and patsaa ‘to do’ when the speakers ask themselves maar patsaa at the time of trouble or any other critical situation.

They inhabit the eastern hills of Nepal. They are autochthonous to the Molung Khola, Likhu Khola and Khimti Khola (‘Khola’ Indo-Aryan Nepali etymon ‘rivulet’). By administrative division they dwell in Okhaldhunga, Ramechhap and Dolakha districts politically known as Wallo (‘Near/Hither’) Kirant (in the past and also in use among the Kirantis at present) after the fall of the Kirant Dynasty (ruling of about 1903 years and 8 months) at the ancient Nepal valley. Their migration later took place in several parts of the country in Jhapa, Ilam, Panchthar, Taplejung, Terathum, Sunsari, Sindhuli and other Districts and abroad in Darjeeling, Sikkim, Dehradun, Bhutan and Hong Kong.

Wallo Kirant in the past was their Kipat or 'communal land.' The Sunuwar are one of the indigenous peoples of Nepal. They have their own Mother Tongue, religion, culture and social customs as their identity.

Relegion and Culture
What is their clan-nomenclature?
What are their cult-pantheons?
Language
Chengu Puja