Exploring the Ancestral Wisdom and Spiritual Ecology of the Indigenous Himalayan Kirat Civilization
Dr. Nawa Raj Subba
About the Book: ‘Kirat Mundhum– Of Earth and Ancestors’
Kirat Mundhum: Of Earth and Ancestors is a fascinating look at the Kirat people of the Himalayas, an ancient society whose spiritual beliefs go back before the Vedic era. This in-depth study reclaims oral tradition, cosmological knowledge, and sacred environment that have been passed down through the years, making Kirat identity a living, thriving heritage.
Path-coping with Ancient History of Kirat Civilization
This book starts with a detailed examination of geographical as well as genealogical origin of Kirats. It contains as well the archeological evidence and the oral testimonies that prove that they are still there and in contact with the neighbouring civilizations, the Vedic culture being one of them. It points out the fact that the ties of the Kirat people with the land, holy trees, and the natural patterns remain up to date.
Kirat Beliefs of Cosmology & Spirituality
Kirat theology is based on the worship of the nature, ancestors and the communication with spiritual forces. The book explores the functions of deities like Yuma Sammang, Theba Sammang and Tangri apart as well as the interconnection of the beliefs in birth, death and reincarnation and the Kirat ceremonial life. The focal point of this worldview is Mundhum an oral scripture text that consists of mantra, myths, and sacred chants.
The Sacred Knowledge Keepers, Ritual Practitioners
On the Kirat hierarchy of spirituality, the categories of ritual professionals known as Nackhong, Samba and Phedang are ceremonial technologists, who works on both planes physical and spiritual. Their means of keeping cosmic harmony in balance in creating the harmony between man and universe is highly applied to create a sense of cosmic balance, commonly known as in Japanese as Tong sum Tong shim.
The culture, verbal literature, and verbal identity
The book discusses the various languages, oral traditions, folklores, music and social structures of the people of the Kirat and how they still reflect their distinctive spiritual-ecological philosophy. In every chapter, these cultural systems are revealed to maintain a balance between what they have learned in the past and who they are now.
Religious Ecology and Environmental Ethics
The book vulnerates and instructs a powerful paradigm of spiritual ecology based on the review of Kirat cosmology. According to the view, nature is not a thing that can be used as a resource, but it is a living entity, the divine bond of which with people is sacred. Kirat concept of balance consists of a native environmental ethic that emphasises the aspects of giving and receiving, being connected, and harmony on earth.
A World of Modernity with Cultural revival
The final chapters describe the way Kirat spiritual practices evolved and resurrected following the influence of globalization, introduction of new technologies, and environmental issues. It discusses how the traditions, rites, and learning are returning in the contemporary Kirat societies which are interested in not forgetting the identity of their ancestors who are in a swiftly changing world.
A Help to Studies of Indigenous Knowledge and Spirituality
Kirat Mundhum: Of Earth and Ancestors is a tribute and an important addition to Himalayan indigenous study, spiritual ecology, and the importance of ancestral knowledge in the 21st century. It includes a dictionary, a select bibliography, and transliterations of ancient mantras.
Who Should Read This Book?
This book is very important for:
- People who are interested in native spirituality and oral traditions.
- People who research the history of the Himalayas and pre-Vedic civilizations.
- People who are interested in the environment and spiritual seekers who are looking for ecological wisdom.
- People who study genealogical theology and native cosmologies.