Answers to the most common questions about Rai culture, history, language, and traditions.
Identity
The Rai people (also known as Khambu Rai) are an indigenous ethnic group of Nepal, primarily inhabiting the eastern hills including Khotang, Bhojpur, and Dhankuta districts. They are one of the oldest inhabitants of Nepal with over 640,000 population. The Rai speak over 32 distinct Tibeto-Burman languages and practice Kirat Mundhum, an indigenous spiritual tradition.
Learn moreReligion
Kirat Mundhum is the indigenous religion and spiritual tradition of the Rai people. It is an animistic faith centered on ancestor worship, nature spirits, and sacred texts called Mundhum. Key deities include Sumnima (mother goddess) and Paruhang (father god). The religion emphasizes harmony with nature, rituals performed by shamans (Nakchhong), and seasonal festivals.
Learn moreFestivals
Sakela is the most important festival of the Rai people, celebrated twice a year — Sakela Udhauli (harvest season in November) and Sakela Ubhauli (spring/March-April). Communities gather to perform the Sakela Sili dance in concentric circles around a sacred tree, honoring ancestors and praying for good harvests.
Learn moreLanguages
The Rai people speak over 32 distinct languages belonging to the Tibeto-Burman family (plus Dewas Rai which is Indo-Aryan). The most widely spoken Rai languages are Bantawa and Sunuwar, each with around 85,000 speakers, followed by Chamling, Thulung, and Kulung. (Note: Limbu, a separate Kirat language, has approximately 350,000 speakers.) 14 Rai languages are endangered with 5,000 or fewer speakers. Most use Devanagari script.
Learn moreDemographics
Over 640,000 people according to the 2021 census, making up approximately 2.2% of Nepal's total population. They are the fifth largest indigenous group in Nepal. Over 360,000 Rai live in the global diaspora, including India, Bhutan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Western countries.
Subgroups
The Rai people are divided into 14 major subgroups and clans. Key subgroups include Khambu (largest, from Khotang-Bhojpur), Bantawa, Chamling, Thulung, Kulung, Sampang, Dewas, Tilung, and Puma. Each has its own distinct dialect, customs, and geographic concentration.
Learn moreGeography
The Rai primarily inhabit eastern Nepal — especially Khotang, Bhojpur, Dhankuta, Solu-Khotang, Udayapur, and Okhaldhunga districts. Significant populations also live in Sikkim and Darjeeling (India), Bhutan, and diaspora communities in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, the UK, USA, and Australia.
History
The Kirat Dynasty was an ancient ruling dynasty of the Kathmandu Valley, ruling for over 1,100 years (approximately 800 BCE to 300 CE) before being overthrown by the Lichhavis. The 28th and last Kirat king was Gasti. The Kirat period is remembered as a golden age of religious tolerance and cultural development.
Learn moreCuisine
Traditional Rai cuisine includes dhindo (millet or buckwheat porridge), gundruk (fermented leafy greens), sinki (fermented radish), smoked pork (sukuti), and traditional drinks like chyang (rice beer) and tongba. Each subgroup has its own unique recipes and preparation methods.
Learn moreIdentity
No, Rai and Limbu are distinct ethnic groups, though they share the broader Kirat identity and both practice Kirat Mundhum. They speak different languages, have distinct cultural traditions, and maintain separate community organizations. The Limbu (Yakthung) are the largest Kirat group, while the Rai are the second largest.
Languages
The most widely spoken Rai language is Bantawa, which has the most learning resources. Some approaches include: connecting with local Rai community members, attending cultural events where languages are spoken, using materials from the Linguistic Survey of Nepal, and exploring academic resources from universities studying Kiranti languages.
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