Iman Singh Chemjong (1904–1975) remains one of the most celebrated historians, linguists, lexicographers, folklorists, and philosophers of Nepal. He dedicated his life to the study and documentation of Kirati tradition, particularly focusing on the Limbu people of eastern Nepal. At a time when Nepal's ruling elite frowned upon and even persecuted such cultural work as subversive or anti-national, Chemjong’s research challenged the dominant narrative that framed Nepal exclusively within a Hindu cultural context, highlighting instead the rich diversity and history of indigenous groups.
Early Life and Education
Born on January 1, 1904, in Renkebung, Darjeeling, India, to Devapu Hangma and Megbar Singh Chemjong, Iman Singh Chemjong grew up in a context where preserving the culture and history of the Kirati people was not yet formally recorded. He completed his Certificate Level education in 1928 from St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, affiliated with the University of Calcutta. His plans to pursue a Bachelor’s degree were interrupted due to the death of his father, which forced him to pause formal study and take on responsibilities at home.
Commitment to Kirati Scholarship
Despite the challenges, Chemjong committed himself fully to documenting the language, culture, and history of the Kirati peoples. His many publications initiated the transformation of the Limbu and Kirati communities from oral traditions into written histories, establishing foundations for further academic and cultural pursuits. He compiled extensive works on Kirati folklore, rituals, history, and linguistics at a time when such efforts were rare and sometimes dangerous.
His notable works include:
- Kirat Itihas (1948)
- Kirat Sahityako Itihas (1955)
- Kirat Folklore (1961)
- Kirat Mundhum (1961)
- Limboo-Nepali-English Dictionary (1961)
- Kirat Mundhum Khahun (1965)
- Kirat History and Culture (1967)
- Kirat Darshanko Saransh (1969)
- Lepcha-Nepali-English Dictionary (1969)
- Bijayapurko Itihas (1974)
Activism and the Limbuwan Movement
Apart from scholarship, Iman Singh Chemjong was a passionate activist. He championed the rights of the Limbu people and their autonomy, particularly opposing the abolition of the Kipat system—an indigenous land tenure system central to Limbu identity. In 1953, he established the Limbuwan Sudhar Sangh (Limbuwan Reform Association) to organize a collective movement advocating for Limbuwan autonomy.
Understanding the critical role of documented history in political advocacy, Chemjong’s leadership emphasized the writing and preservation of historical records to support indigenous claims. Unlike the scattered and uncoordinated resistance seen previously, his approach integrated multi-ethnic support within Limbuwan, demonstrating respect for the region’s multicultural identity. His efforts laid the groundwork for later indigenous solidarity movements across Nepal.
Academic Recognition and Later Years
King Mahendra of Nepal, recognizing the scholarly importance of Chemjong’s work, appointed him as a "Limbu expert" at Tribhuvan University in Kathmandu in 1961, the nation’s first university. There, Chemjong led research on Limbu language and culture almost single-handedly for many years, marking academic legitimization of Kirati studies previously marginalized within Nepalese academia.
Iman Singh Chemjong passed away in 1975, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire both scholarly inquiry and indigenous empowerment in Nepal and beyond. He is survived by his wife Amiran Chemjong, two daughters, three sons, and nine grandchildren.
Contributions to Language and Folklore
Chemjong’s linguistic contributions include lexicographical work that documented Limbu and Lepcha languages in English and Nepali. These dictionaries have been indispensable references for researchers, educators, and community members eager to preserve these endangered languages.
His work on Mundhum—the ancient oral scriptures and religious practices of the Kirati peoples—combined folklore, ritual, and cosmology, distinguishing him as a vital preserver of indigenous spirituality.
Historical Revisionism and Cultural Recognition
Chemjong critically reassessed historical narratives, particularly the origins of the Limbu kingdom of Vijayapur. Through meticulous research including the reinterpretation of manuscripts and historical documents, he demonstrated that Limbuwan was a distinct historical kingdom ruled by Kirati kings. This repositioning challenged colonial-era and Nepalese dominant histories that often erased or marginalized Kirati sovereignty.
Notably, Chemjong’s work with Hodgson manuscripts and the writings of Rai leaders like Jobhan Singh Phago enriched the understanding of Kirati resistance to the Gorkha empire’s expansion in the 18th century, adding depth to ethno-political histories of Nepal.
Legacy and Contemporary Significance
Today, Iman Singh Chemjong is venerated as a foundational figure in the cultural renaissance among the Kirat communities and the wider indigenous peoples of Nepal. Annual commemorations of his birth and contributions serve as important cultural events that celebrate Kirati heritage and underscore ongoing struggles for indigenous rights and cultural pride.
Educational institutions and activists continue to draw upon Chemjong’s scholarship as inspiration for promoting ethnic inclusiveness, linguistic preservation, and political recognition within the framework of Nepal’s multicultural society.