Senior writer calls for new vocabulary to preserve Limbu culture

Senior litterateur Tilbikram Nemwang, known as Vairagi Kaila, urged the community to develop new words and expressions to ensure the Mundhum reaches younger generations in Lalitpur, Nepal.

Nemwang spoke at the release ceremony of the Yakthung Samjik Mundhum Dictionary. He argued that Mundhum should not remain static as traditional knowledge but must evolve to meet the needs of different eras.

He suggested that the Limbu language has many possibilities for new word creation, citing an example where a scholar used traditional word-building methods to describe the Hindu goddess Durga. He believes these types of linguistic experiments give the Mundhum a broader dimension. The writer noted that a dictionary alone cannot develop a language.

He highlighted the need for specific vocabulary in administrative, technical, and educational sectors, especially as the government prepares to use the Limbu language for official work in Koshi Province. Nemwang identified a need for terms related to parliamentary procedures, such as majority and minority, as well as everyday honorifics for schools. He suggested that cultural organizations like Yakthung Chumlung should lead the effort to create these technical terms. Nemwang also spoke about the nature of human creation and imperfection.

He referenced the Mundhum story of Tageraningvuma, who failed to create an immortal human, to illustrate that even creators have weaknesses. He encouraged people to accept these imperfections naturally while maintaining a continuous effort to develop their language and culture. He concluded that practical use and intergenerational transmission must be the priorities for the prosperity of the Limbu language.