Limbu Shamans

Limbu people believe in shamanism. There are different priests to execute the variable cultural and religious observances. Phedangma, Samba, Yeba or Yema, Mangbas, Yumasam, Sattyahangma priest are the main priests of Limbu community. They are religious practitioners and believed to possess the arts and power to link human beings with super natural power. They are supposed to have controlled state of ecstasy, trance or possession and hold the intimate knowledge of the supernatural beings. They are specialists in human soul and function as doctor, psychiatrists, and shamanist priests in the Limbu community.

Phedangma

Phedangmas are believed to be the first religious Limbu priest. According to Limbu myths, Tagera Nigwabhumang, the almighty god could not see the sufferings of the people and sent him on the earth to take care of them. Phedangmas performs various religious rites and rituals and officiates other ceremonies of Limbu community.  Phedangmas perform the cheerful rituals like Sappok Chomen( womb worship), Yangdang Phongma( rite of removing impurity after birth and name giving rite), Tengdam Mekhim ( wedding rite), Sam Sama ( Burial rite), Yum Chama( rite of allowing to consume the salts and oil to the bereaved family), Sam Chooma ( rite for purification on death), Chasok Tangnam ( harvesting ceremony), Yokwa Tangnam (Cultivating ceremony). They Propitiate  the household divinities like Yuma, Theba, Akwannama, Him Sammang, Soba Sammang, Lummaeppa, Mundemba, Pichamma, Mishekpa, Tambungna, Toksangba, Warokma , Khanjama, Sheghama, Manggena and Nahangma  etc( (Subba). They wear the simplest gear of all the priests of Limbu.  The most important costume used by them is called Phengbo. It is a garland of corn seed of a hundred and eight Rudrakha beads with two to four small brass bells at the lower end.  There is a popular belief among Limbu that Phedangma propitiate the divinities without sacrifices of birds and animals. But they practice the sacrifice of birds and animals to perform the observances.

 Samba

Sambas are a group of Shamanistic Limbu priests. They fall between the Phedangma and Yea. But they differ on functions with them. They usually perform the complicated rituals like Tongsing, complicated funeral rites, Marriage rite, Nahangma rite and propitiation rite of Kudap and others. They are more concerned with impending trepidation, tribulations and cure the diseases and serious illness. They are well- versed on Mundhum, the holy book of Limbu. It is believed that they should practice throughout their life to excel in Mundhum. They can drive away Sugut, Sasikand Nahen but cannot eliminate them. They are always male shamans and their origin is believed to have been before Yea and after Phedangma( Subba).

Yea(Yeba and Yema)

The Yeba and Yema is collectively known as Yea. They act to cure the diseases which are believed to have caused by the spirit of envy and jealousy. They perform to pacify and kill the Sogha –Sugut( evil spirits of unnatural deaths). They perform typical dance during the ceremonies. The costume of Yeba and Yema are more complex than others.  They look well attired during the ritual performances. They use Phengbo, Ya logek, Yesim, Phangphoyee, Ye-Jey- Phey, Wasang, Ya-burkoAplak,Hehang Pongey,Ya Thal. Hongsing, Mudenphey.

 Mangbas

Mangbas are believed to have come from the Khambu Land. They also function like Yeba and Yema. They are excelled to pacify and eliminate the evil spirits of unnatural deaths. They do not perform other rituals.

 The Yuma Sam

Yuma Sam is a female religious priest. She worship Yuma and confined to the altar. Limbus always pray to God Yuma Sam. There is a simple altar in every house of Limbu family. She can diagnose the diseases and predicts misfortunes and other calamities that are caused by the supernatural power.

Ongshi

Ongshis are the wise persons with great spiritual and philosophical knowledge. They impart knowledge through teachings and preaching. They are believed to have possessed spiritual power. They are ascetic mostly involved in preaching and devotion.