The Kirat Scripts — Sirijanga and Limbu Writing System
Introduction
The Kirat people have a rich tradition of writing systems that date back to the 18th century. The most well-known is the Limbu script (also called Sirijanga script), which was created by the scholar and saint Te-ongsi Sirijunga Xin Thebe in the 18th century.
The Sirijanga Script
Te-ongsi Sirijunga Xin Thebe (1700-1771) was a Limbu scholar who created the Sirijanga script for writing the Limbu language. This script is one of the few indigenous scripts developed in the Himalayan region and represents a significant achievement in the history of writing systems.
Key features:
- Creation date: 18th century (circa 1750s)
- Creator: Te-ongsi Sirijunga Xin Thebe
- Purpose: To write the Limbu language and preserve Kirat religious and cultural texts
- Script type: Abugida (each consonant has an inherent vowel that can be modified with diacritics)
- Direction: Written left to right
Unicode Inclusion
The Limbu script was added to the Unicode Standard in version 4.0 (2003), making it possible to use the script in digital contexts. This was a significant achievement for the preservation and promotion of the Kirat writing tradition.
Other Kirat Scripts
In addition to the Limbu script, other Kirat groups have developed or used various writing systems:
- Kirat Rai script (Khambu Rai): Developed by Kripasalyan Rai in 1981-1982, based on the Sumhung Lipi from the 1920s. Used for writing the Bantawa language. Added to Unicode in version 16.0 (2024).
- Various local scripts: Different Kirat groups have used or developed various scripts for their languages, though many are not as well-documented or widely used as the Limbu script.
Significance
The Kirat scripts represent:
- Intellectual achievement: The creation of sophisticated writing systems by Kirat scholars.
- Cultural preservation: The use of scripts to preserve religious texts, literature, and historical records.
- Identity marker: The scripts serve as a marker of Kirat identity and pride.
- Modern relevance: The inclusion of Kirat scripts in Unicode has opened up new possibilities for digital use and preservation.