The Kirāta, Kiranti or Kirati is a generic term in Sanskrit literature for people who lived in the mountains, particularly in the Himalayas , North-East India and who are postulated to have been Mongoloid in origin. Rai and Limbu are the major tribes of Kirati community.
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Religion
The Kiratis are mostly Nature worshipper. Major groups of Kirati community follows Buddhism and Kirant Mundhum. Kirant Mundhum or Kiratism is the religion of Himalayan Kiratis of Nepal. Bodo-Kachari tribal ethnic groups follows the Bathouism religion. Some clans also have adopted Hinduism religion.
Groups
There are 4 different groups of Kirati tribes, including Himalayan Kiratis, Tibetan-Himalayan, Khas-Kiratis and the Kacharis of South Asian region. Their populations are such largest comparing to any other ethnic groups of South Asia.
Himalayan
- Rai
- Limbu
- Sunuwar
- Newar
- Dewan
- Bahing
- Kulung
- Parali
Tibetan-Himalayan
- Bhutia
- Lepcha
Khas-Kiratis
- Monpa
- Drukpa
Bodo-Kirati or Kachari
Based on an 1881 census, there were 19 groups within the Kachari classification:- Bodo
- Dimasa
- Dhimal
- Garo
- Hajong
- Koch
- Lalung (Tiwa)
- Madahi
- Mahalia
- Mech
- Moran
- Phulgaria
- Sutiya
- Rabha
- Sonowal
- Saraniya
- Solaimiya
- Thengal
- Tiprasa