Kirat Mundum , ( Nepali : किरात मुन्दुम) also known as Kiratism , or Kirati Mundum , is an animistic folk religion of the Kirati ethnic groups of Nepal , Darjeeling and Sikkim , majorly practiced by Yakkha , Limbu , Sunuwar , Rai , Thami , Jirel , Hayu and Surel peoples in the north-eastern Indian subcontinent . [2] The practice is also known as Kirat Veda , [3] [4] Kirat-Ko Veda [5] or Kirat Ko Ved . [6] According to some scholars, such as Tom Woodhatch, it is a blend of shamanism , animism (e.g., ancestor worship of Yuma Sammang / Tagera Ningwaphumang and Paruhang/Sumnima), [7] and Shaivism . [8] It is practiced by about 3.17% of the Nepali population as of 2021. [9] 'Mundum' International Painting Exhibition-2024