Yuma Samyo: The Religion of the Yakthung
Hitaram Tilling
Yuma Samyo
Religion is understood as the belief of people in divine features and conduct consistent with it. The meaning of religion varies according to society, community, and individual. The meaning of the word 'religion' as used by the English people is related to liberation, salvation, renunciation, and faith. Followers of Christianity believe that only by following the teachings of Jesus can a person be freed from sin, attain salvation, and live a fulfilled life.
In Nepal, the Nepali word for religion is closely related to Hinduism. Hinduism was established by the ethical rules set by eighty-four thousand sages. Buddhism is the adherence to the ethical teachings given by Gautama Buddha.
Similarly, the indigenous folk traditions, collective practices, and rites performed from pre-birth to after death,, based on the original practices handed down by the ancestors of the Limbu, are collectively called Samyo. Yakthung Mundhum directs this. Therefore, the collective form of the rituals and culture that have been passed down from tradition and are embedded in the common psychology of the Limbu community can be considered as their "religion" or "dharma."
Thus, the samyo of the Limbu, the religion of the Hindu, and the religion of the English are different.
Basis of Yuma Samyo
Yuma Samyo must be embraced to institutionalize and manage the rituals and cultures from pre-birth to after death, guided by the Mundhum, which have been practiced by Yakthung ancestors since ancient times. Rituals are performed by Tumyahang, Phedamgma, Samba, Yeba, Yema, and Yumathukpa. They are the callers of Yumamang. They perform all kinds of rites and ceremonies. They conduct cultural and religious rituals that occur within the Yakthung community.
Specifically, individual rituals include birth, marriage, and death rites while family rituals include observances and ceremonies..
Birth rituals include Sappok Chomen, Yangdang Phongma, Manggena, and Phungwa Changma.
Marriage rituals include Tendham Mekhim for the son, and Ingme and Mellung Phuma for the daughter.
Similarly, in death rituals, from buying soil to performing Yumsa, Samsama, ritual purification (kushiringba barne), extracting Samdakhung, performing khauma, mui semma si: tansing, etc. are carried out.
To do all these, Tumyahang, Phedangma, Samba, Yeba, Yema, Yumasam are mandatory.
Philosophy of Yuma Samyo
Philosophy is a means of understanding and defining life and the world in both religious and physical terms. Any story related to a human lineage (myth, folklore, tradition), along with symbols, customs, and sacred history, advocates the philosophical aspect of that lineage because philosophy carries the meaning of life.
According to Yuma philosophy, every object or existence in the universe—both changeable (Muboklungma) and impermanent (Kheboklungma)—is dynamic and perishable. The followers of Yuma Samyo believe in the Supreme Being, Tagera Ningwaphumang,as omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient, formless, and all-pervading.
In the Yakthung community, Tagera Ningwaphumang Mang is regarded as the supreme being for the welfare and protection of humankind and the owner of all living and non-living beings, animals, plants, and deities. They believe in Yuma Mang as the God of gods.
The Yakthung people hold Yuma Mang in the highest respect and faith and consider it the principal deity worthy of worship.
Since nature is worshipped and respected, Yumamang is considered as the owner and protector of all. The Yakthung community hold the shared belief that Yumamang protects all living beings, non-living things, the sky, and the earth. When humanity faces difficulties, dangers, or disasters, they call upon and remember Yumamang.
Tagera Ningwaphumang/Yumamang is also regarded as the supreme Mang of all gods and deities. The entire universe’s creator, the supreme soul, and the mother of the world is Tagera Ningwaphumang, who is Yumamang.
In the Yakthung belief, Porokmi Yambhami Mang is considered the creator. While creating the universe, Porokmi Yambhami Mang consults with Tagera Ningwaphu Yuma Mang whenever difficulties and hardships arise, and accordingly, solves the problems encountered..