495 



Note on the Limboos, and other Hill Tribes hitherto undescribed. By 

 A. Campbell, Esq. Superintendent of Darjeeling. 



The Limboos form a large portion of the inhabitants in the moun- 

 tainous country lying between the Dood-Koosi and the Kanki rivers, 

 in Nipal, and are found in smaller numbers eastwards to the Mechi 

 river, which forms the boundary of Nipal and Sikim. In still fewer 

 numbers they exist within the Sikim territory, as far east as the Teesta 

 river, beyond which they very rarely settle. In Bootan they are 

 unknown, except as strangers. 



The word "Limboo" is a corruption, probably introduced by the 

 Goorkhas, of " Ekthoomba," the correct denomination of these people ; 

 and is generally used by foreigners to designate the whole population of 

 the country between the Dood-Koosi and the Mechi, except such as be- 

 long to other well marked tribes, such as the Moormis, Lepchas, 

 Bhotiahs, and Purbuttiahs. The division of Purbuttiahs is into the 

 11 Khas" Muggurs, and Gurungs, all of whom are Brahminical in reli- 

 gion ; the Moormis, Lepchas, and Bhotiahs are Bhuddistical. In the 

 generic term " Limboo," are included people also known as the 

 Kerautis, Eakas, and Rais, but such is the confused notion among the 

 people themselves of the real nature of the differences which have led 

 to these several denominations, that they are often used synonymously 

 with the word Limboo, and with good cause, as the appearance, habits, 

 and religion of all are very much alike, and as all intermarry, and are 

 not divided by caste. The Kerautis are mentioned in the Purans as a 

 warlike race of mountain Mlechas ; the Eakas are distinguished from 

 the Rais merely by their habitat, which is confined to the lower and 

 central ranges of the mountainous tract between the Arun and Konki 

 rivers ; the Limboos consider themselves to be the aboriginal inhabi- 

 tants of the country they now occupy, at least they are satisfied that 

 none of the neighbouring tribes have any claims of preoccupation, 

 but they are not agreed among themselves, on the point of nativity. 

 The majority assert that from time immemorial, the tribe has occupied 

 the valley called " Tambar Khola," at the head of the Tambar Koosi 

 river, and that they have no grounds for ascribing their origin as a 

 distinct tribe to any other country. When closely questioned to ac- 

 count for their existence in these mountains, among races differing 



4 G 



