Long ago, in the distant hills of Limbuwan, there resided a mother and her daughter in a secluded village surrounded by dense forests. The villagers did not practice agriculture and relied entirely on the abundant fruits and roots gathered from the forest. This closeness to nature created a deep bond between the community and the wilderness, fostering a harmonious coexistence.
One day, the mother brought back a bountiful supply of mushrooms from the forest. The next morning, she carefully laid the mushrooms on a smooth, flat stone and instructed her daughter to watch over them while she went into the forest again to forage for more food, which was a daily routine for her.
However, while the daughter watched over the mushrooms, she grew tired and fell asleep. During this time, a mystical event occurred, leading to the daughter’s mysterious disappearance. Her mother searched desperately but could find no trace. Heartbroken by the loss, the mother’s spirit lingered on, bound by her eternal love and longing for her daughter.
In Limbu belief, it is said that in her next life, the mother was reborn as a graceful bird, called Semekawa, whose haunting calls echo through the misty forests as “Semek… Semek….” This bird is considered a symbol of eternal love and longing, forever searching for her lost daughter amidst the rivers and the forest paths.
The sorrowful cries of the Semekawa bird heard especially when the skies weep with rain, remind the Limbu community of the deep emotional bond of a mother’s love transcending time and form. The tale of Semekwa encapsulates themes of love, loss, and the spiritual connection between humans and nature that is central to the cultural fabric of the Yakthung Limbu people.
Within the culture, this legend not only teaches about the power of maternal love but also reinforces the respect and reverence for nature, emphasizing the sacred bond between the Limbu people and their environment.