THE YAKHA: CULTURE, ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT IN ...

ing a nimto (an 'invitation' but also used to refer to the obligatory
gift which accepting an invitation involved) of a bottle of raksi or
some money, A1 1 sahaya and nimto contributions were recorded in a book
kept by the sahaya organiser. There were similar rules for funerals.
The amounts raised did not nearly cover the costs of the wedding, but
were a significant contribution to it. The rice contributed in
particular provided much of what was needed: as a rule of thumb, two
muri of rice (320 -1 was said to be required for a wedding.
Equivalent institutions were recognized as existing amongst other
groups in the area, but, like many other aspects of Yakha culture, the
specific form it took in Tamaphok distinguished it as Yakha. The
standard sahaya contribution for the Limbu, for example, was said by
some Yakha to be a pathi (eight w) of maize. Another difference was
that the Limbu were said to go from house to house collecting the food
from sahaya members. Yakha sahaya members normally brought theirs to
where the event was going to take place. This they were expected
to do even if no-one from the house was subsequently going to attend.
The Kamis in Tamaphok did not have an organized sahaya system but more
was involved in their nimto. If one was invited to a wedding, the nimto
was one pgthi of rice and 20 NRs (40p), If one was not invited, one
could still go but was expected to take four of rice and 10 NRs.
The sahava was a form of providence society, but its aegis was quite
spec if ic. If unexpected expenses other than those of weddings and
funerals were incurred, then the only a1 ternative to labour or savings
seemed to be to take out a loan.