Yuma Sammang

Yuma Sammang is the goddess of the Limbu community of Nepal. The deity Yuma Sammang (literally: "Mother Earth" or "Grandmother"), also known as Ningwaphuma, is widely revered and regularly worshiped among Yakthungs (Limbus). Yakthungs generally regard Yuma as a maternal figure. The Yuma Samyo or Yuma religion was very popular during the Yet Hang and Thibong Yakthung (Ten Yakthung) ages.

After the Khas Aryan oppression in Yakthung laje (Limbuwan) and the introduction of Hinduism from the Indian mainland, the majority of Yakthungs had stopped following the Yuma religion for centuries. The Khas-Aryas also gave the term 'Kirata' to the tribes of the Himalayas (mostly eastern tribes). This has in time caused a false belief among sunuwars, yakhas, limbus and the thirty-two Rai tribes that they are all a part of the same ethnic group. Most of these groups, however, are very different from one another, only sharing cultural and linguistic similarities because of the geographical proximity of their respective settlements.

Both tribes share the same Sino-Tibetan language family, with the style and construction of language being similar to other Sino-Tibetan languages across eastern Nepal, northeast India and part of southeast Asia. As such, certain words and phrases may be understood by both groups even today. They also share a common style of shamanism. Many deities and styles of worship rituals are similar and shamans recite similar Mundhumi/Mundumi phrases.

The Yakthung community is predominantly an oral culture. The body of its oral tradition is called Mundhum. Mundhum is a collection of diverse oral narratives addressing topics such as the creation of the universe, human beings, animals, and plants along with many other elements. The Yakthung culture includes Mundhum performers, such as Phedangma, Yeba, Yema, Shamba, Samma, and Tutu-Tumyahangs. Despite Western cultural colonization and the influence of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity, Yakthungs have preserved their culture via their Mundhums. However, many Yakthungs participating in mainstream politics, bureaucracy, and academic institutions have shown a tendency to ignore their Yakthung customary practices, Mundhums, language, and religion — Yuma Samyo. New Yakthung generations have been campaigning for the restoration of their culture, language, identity, Mundhum, and religion since 2018.

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