Indische Palaographie von circa 350 a. Chr. – circa 1300 p. Chr. c48.s6.31.4

c48.s6.31.4

The priests, as in the case of the Cūtiyā, stood out for some time longer than the rest, but have now conformed. It is curious that whilst the little that remains of the sacred writings of the Āhōm is in a language closely resembling that of the Khāmtī, the Āhōm were never Buddhists. It may Nēpāl, and incorporated the Kirāta land with their new acquisition, after a stout resistance from the Limbu. The latter take rank amongst the Kirāta tribes after the Khambu and before the Yākha, though, as above remarked, in Nēpāl the order may be different as regards the Yākha. A certain number of the Limbu have entered into close relations with the Lepca, intermarrying with them and eating their food, a course which amongst the other Kirāta places them outside their fellows. At the same time, it appears that the Lepca, Mūrmi and other Himālayan Mongoloids are admitted into the Limbu ranks after certain ceremonies, whilst the Khambu and Yākha may be adopted without such formalities. The Limbu have their own priests as well as using the exorcists, or Bijua, common to all the tribes of the neighbourhood. They indifferently profess S'aivism when amongst Brāhmanic castes and employ the Lāma at a higher altitude. Probably their real creed is that of old Tibet.