Ilam Hosts Chyabrung Festival for Limbu Cultural Preservation

Ilam. The Chyabrung dance (Kelang), a unique cultural heritage of the Limbu community, is being celebrated today in Mangsebung Rural Municipality, Ilam, with the aim of preserving, promoting, and passing down this tradition to future generations.

The one-day festival is being organized by Kirat Yakthung Chumlung Mangsebung with financial assistance from Mangsebung Rural Municipality at Gajur Mukhi Dham in Mangsebung-1.

The festival will feature cultural processions, the performance of the Chyabrung dance (Kelang), a traditional dance of the indigenous Limbu community, along with Dhan Nach (Yalang), Palam, Hakpare, and an exhibition of cultural attire, informed Manras Limbu, Chairman of Kirat Yakthung Chumlung Mangsebung. He stated that more than 500 Chyabrungs will be performed simultaneously at the festival.

"Kelang is not just a dance or music; it is a priceless heritage connected to the history, civilization, and cultural identity of the Limbu community," said Chairman Limbu. "As it is essential to connect the younger generation with their indigenous culture and ensure its preservation and intergenerational transfer, we are organizing this festival."

The festival will include performances of Chyabrung dance (Kelang), Dhan Nach (Yalang), Palam, Hakpare, Khyaali, and other cultural arts, as well as an exhibition of Limbu attire. "Cultural arts, including more than 500 Chyabrung dances (Kelang), will be presented to preserve, promote, and pass down art, culture, and tradition," said Chairman Limbu. According to him, Taga (cultural attire worn by men) and Mekhli (cultural attire worn by women) will also be displayed.

The festival, held at the premises of the religious site Gajur Mukhi Dham, will see participation from Kirat Yakthung Chumlung from 10 local levels of Ilam, as well as from Jhapa and Panchthar. The festival is being organized with the objective of preserving and passing down ancestral art, culture, and traditions through the collaboration of new and old generations, informed Secretary Asim Yonghang.

Mangsebung Rural Municipality has provided financial support of Rs 700,000 for the organization of the festival. The priority of Mangsebung Rural Municipality is the preservation of the art, culture, and identity of the local ethnic groups, said Hemanta Rai, Chairman of the Rural Municipality.

Mohansingh Thebe, an expert, states that the Chyabrung dance (Kelang) has its own historical context, principles, and rules of practice. The Chyabrung dance (Kelang) is also performed by imitating various animals and birds. The rhythm of the Chyabrung also varies according to the context of the dance. Organizations including Kirat Yakthung Chumlung and other organizations active in the field of Limbu language and culture have been making efforts to systematize the Chyabrung dance (Kelang), which the Limbu people have been dancing for centuries. However, they complain that the state has not shown interest or taken initiative for investment and preservation.

According to the data from the National Census 2078, the Limbu population in Nepal is 359,379, with 45,007 residing in Ilam alone.