Draft:Sanyak Limbu

Sanyak Limbu The Sanyak (also rendered as Sangyakpa and Songyokpa)[1] is a Limbu clan historically associated with the Chaubise (Chaobisia) region of Limbuwan, located in present-day eastern Nepal. The clan's traditions are preserved in Mundhum oral literature, which traces their descent from the ancient Khambongba–Lungwongba lineage.[2] The Sanyak people are concentrated primarily in the Chaubise area of Dhankuta District. Kurle and Bodhe, which they regard as their ancestral worship land (Yak).[2] Oral traditions state that Sanyak ancestors cleared the forests of Chaubise thousands of years ago, establishing one of the earliest settlements in the region.[2] While no definitive empirical evidence establishes the exact century of their arrival, geographical, cultural, and Mundhum traditions suggest they settled in the area earlier than many other Limbu clans.[2] Historical background and the Eight Kings era According to historical narratives, a group led by ten chieftains and three priests of the Taishyan tribe arrived in Limbuwan around the 6th century.[3] At that time, eight local kings ruled the Yakthung Laje region, including Cheswi Hang, who governed the Chaubise (Mikluk) area. The ruling group later became known as Soiyok, or Sanyak Hang, traditional owners of Kurley and Padhe.[4]

The ten chieftains obtained permission from the eight kings of Phedap to reside in the region, eventually forming the Yakthungba tribe.[3] A prolonged conflict ensued between the Eight Kings and the Ten Chieftains, ending either through the military superiority of the Ten Chieftains or through a power-sharing agreement. Under the latter arrangement, the new kingdom incorporated rulers from both groups. Soiyok Lado Hang, one of the kings from the old Eight Kings, reportedly named his country Chaobisia and established his fort at Sanggori Yiyokma (Sangori Yak).[5]

Chronological analysis and the Chemjong clan claim The Chemjong clan has claimed Soiyok Lado Hang as a Chemjong ancestor, with the name "Soiyok Lado Hang Chemjong" appearing in modern literature. However, this claim has been questioned on chronological grounds. Soiyok Lado Hang is generally dated to the 8th century (701–800 CE), whereas Langdorma, regarded as a progenitor of the Chemjong lineage, was born in Tibet around 799 CE and ruled from 838 to 842 CE, followed by Uba Hang (c. 849–865 CE) and Mabo Hang (c. 865–880 CE) according to traditional chronology and Iman Singh Chemjong.[3] Some Chemjong sources state that the "Lado" sub-clan originated after Soiyok Lado Hang's reign and was named in his honor, while the "Chikcho" sub-clan separated from the "Lado" line during community expansions between the 17th and 18th centuries.[7] However, Chemjong genealogical records indicate that the clan first entered Mauna Budhuk in Chaubise in 1824 Vikram Samvat (1767 CE).[8] Since Chemjong sub-clans settled in Chaubise only after 1767 CE, an 8th-century origin for the "Lado" Chemjong sub-clan under Soiyok Lado Hang presents chronological inconsistencies.[3] Local Sanyak Limbu ritual traditions further complicate the Chemjong claim. Ancestral invocations during Mangenna Mundhum address the lineage as "Laido Sanyak Hang," suggesting that "Soiyok Lado Hang" may represent a misinterpretation or phonetic misrecording by early chroniclers such as Eden Vansittart.[5] The Chaubise region and western Limbuwan were governed by local dynasties under rulers such as Lukthuyo, Bhuiphutta Hang, Samyuk Hang, and Bajdev Hang before the Chemjong arrival, as documented by Iman Singh Chemjong.[3] Most clan designations in current use, including "Chemjong" and "Sanyak," appear to have emerged between the 17th and 19th centuries, making specific 8th-century clan attributions historically uncertain.[3] Geographically, Sanggori Yiyokma (present-day Saguri Gadhi) lies in the Chaubise region rather than Panchthar, the area primarily associated with the Sanyak.

Eden Vansittart, in his 1906 work, listed the Chaobisia district as home to the Lingden and Songyokpa tribes, though he noted that the Lingden ancestral homeland may actually lie on the Ilam side.[1]

Mingshra and Mangenna Yak In Limbu culture, Mingshra and Mangenna Yak serve as identity markers for clans. A clan comprises unified groups formed through blood relations, marriage, and Chokphung (ritual adoption). "Yak" denotes the central sacred place where a clan's ancestors settled. The Mangenna Mundhum of the Sanyak Limbu includes the ritual recitation: "Kurle Yak, Pade (Bodhe) Yak, Khamhe:la, Aambepaj, Sadinge Tinge Hangle Waru Kuwamisa Sanyak Hang." This translates to: "You are the descendants of Sadinge Tingehang, who brought you to this place of red soil and mango trees." The elements signify: • Kurle Yak and Pade Yak: Ancestral settlements in Kurle and Pade (Bodhe) • Khamhe:la: Place of red soil • Aambepaj: Place where mango trees are there • Sadinge Tinge Hangle: The ancestor Sadinge Tingehang • Waru: "He brought you here," leading to the establishment of Sanyak Hang

Sub-clans According to Sanyak genealogical traditions, the clan originally comprised 13 sub-clans (Mingsra), of which six survive while seven are nearly extinct or absorbed into other groups.[2] Eden Vansittart, in his 1915 work, identified twelve constituent sub-tribes within the Sanyak group: Lambeba, Okhebu, Thoksuba, Thumyangba, Lingden, Paksong, Thumba, Tumsong, Lokpeba, Thokpeba, Thumsa, and Wayang Khajum.[6] Several names recorded by Vansittart do not correspond to current Sanyak sub-clans, though phonetic similarities exist: • Lambeba → Langbeba • Thoksuba → Thaksuba / Thaksu • Thumba → Tumba • Thumsa → Tumsa Contemporary genealogical records indicate the following sub-clans:[2] Table S.N. Clan Sub-tribe Present condition 1 Sanyak Yungsingba Small population (approx. 35 households) 2 Sanyak Langbeba Small population (approx. 13 households) 3 Sanyak Nayangba Independent lineage genealogy 4 Sanyak Thaksuba Separate prepared genealogy 5 Sanyak Tumba Larger population 6 Sanyak Tumsa Larger population 7 Sanyak Namyoba Near extinction / absorbed 8 Sanyak Chieppa Near extinction / absorbed 9 Sanyak Kattawa Near extinction / absorbed 10 Sanyak Loliba Near extinction / absorbed 11 Sanyak Thalangba Near extinction / absorbed 12 Sanyak Piyomba (Piomwa) Near extinction / absorbed 13 Sanyak Magaiba Near extinction / absorbed

Demographic status Among the extant branches, Tumba, Tumsa, Thaksuba and Nayangba maintain strong demographic and genealogical continuity.[2] Langbewa, and Yungsingba represent smaller populations requiring systematic genealogical documentation.[2] The sub-clans Namyoba, Chieppa, Kattawa, Loliba, Thalangba, Piyomba, and Magaiba have largely disappeared as distinct demographic units, likely having merged over generations into other major Limbu clans in the Chaubise region.[2]

References [1] Vansittart, Eden (1906). Notes on Nepal. Asian Educational Services / Superintendent of Government Printing, India. pp. 158–159. [2] Sadinge Tinge Hang Sanyak Limbu Genealogy (2081 B.S.). Internet Archive (Nepali version). [3] Chemjong, Iman Singh (2003 / 2059 BS). History and Culture of Kirat People (Part 1 & 2). Kirat Yakthung Chumlung. p. 18. [4] Angbung, Birkha (2081 BS). Yakthung Hanghaare Nu Saamjik Mundhum. p. 16. [5] Vansittart, Eden (1896 / 1992). Notes on Nepal. Asian Educational Services. p. 141. [6] Vansittart, Eden (1915). Gurkhas: Handbooks for the Indian Army. Compiled at the Order of the Indian Government. Calcutta: Superintendent Government Printing. p. 121. [7] Tribhuvan University Central Library (TUCL) eLibrary Digital Repository. [8] Chemjong Genealogy Book (Chemjong Vamshavali).