The Kiratas were a non-Aryan mountain tribe, possessing a rude culture. They are referred to in the Mahabharata together with the Yaunas or Yavanas, Kambojas, Gandharas, and Barbaras, who all dwelt in the northern region or Uttarapatha; while the Ramayana mentions them along with the Mlecchas, or 'barbarians', another non-Aryan tribe. Historical reference suggests that the Kiratas were outside the Aryan fold. It has been said that the Kiratas along with the Hunas, Andhras, Pulindas, Pulkasas, Abhiras, Suhmas, Yavanas, Khasas, and other impure tribes had purified themselves by offering their allegiance to Lord Krishna. The Kiratas are mentioned in the Vishnu Purana in a long list of Indian peoples and countries, where they also seem to have been located in the northern region. Kiratas is mentioned in the Yajur Veda and in Atharva Veda. In Manu's Dharmashastra Kiratas are mentioned as degraded Kshatriyas. The Hindu mythology gives an indication of the Kiratas geographical position. In the epic Mahabharata, Bhima, the Pandava meets the Kiratas to the east of Videha, where his son Ghatotkacha is born. The people who lived in the Himalayas, especially the eastern Himalayas, were called Kiratas. Kiratas are also referred as gold-like or yellow. History reveals that the Kiratas were located in the Uttarapatha. It has also been said that the Kiratas had settlements in the eastern region as well. The Mahabharata had pointed to a settlement of the Kiratas in Kamarupa. Historical records states that Bhagadatta, the powerful ruler of Pragjyotisa had led a mighty Mleccha army of Kiratas and Cinas in the battle of Kurukshetra. The records of Megasthenes about the Kiratas have said that the Kiratas were nomadic people. They had flat-nose and were people of primitive origin dwelling in forests and mountain. They lived by hunting. It has been said that the Kiratas had an influential settlement in Nepal, and a Kirata dynasty of kings held the valley in sway in succession to the Abhiras. It has been pointed out that the Nepalese usage still gives the name Kirata to the country between the Dudh-kosi and the Arun, and that there is evidence that the Kiratas had once occupied a much more extensive area in Nepal.

The Kiratas also used the term “Pringa” to denote any settlement or village on a “hill”. The name “Jol-prin-gram” uses both the suffixes respectively, “Pringa” and “gram”. Needless to say, anyone who has ever been to Kathmandu knows that Thankot is located on a hill. When the Lichhavis took over the Nepal valley, they also took over already existing Kirata towns and made it their own. The Lichhavis changed the name “Jolpringram” to “Jayapalikagram” and made it their trade hub. Thus, most towns of the Kirata era are today important centers of modern Kathmandu. There isn’t many historical data from which we can derive what the Nepal valley Kiratas were like in ancient times. There are a few documents and Lichhavi inscriptions from which we can decipher their social and religious understanding. It is certain that the Kiratas spoke a very distinctive language that didn’t have any relation with the Sanskrit language of the Lichhavi people. The word “gram” in Lichhavi inscriptions is of Sanskrit origin but the word “Pringa” isn’t. So we can fairly ascertain that the word gram was a suffix added by the Lichhavis. The word Pringa, is believed to have changed into “Pang” today, which is a popular word among the modern Kiratis, which means village. We can safely assume that the words for the three prominent cities during the time must have been Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur. Lichhavi inscriptions mention that there was a city named Yala (which must have been Patan) and Khopringga, which was Bhaktapur. Even today, Newars call these cities Ya, Yala, and Khope.

The Kirāta (Sanskrit: किरात) is a generic term in Sanskrit literature for people who had territory in the mountains, particularly in the Himalayas and Northeast India and who are believed to have been Sino-Tibetan in origin. The Kiratas often mentioned along with Cinas (Chinese), and slightly different from the Nishadas, are first mentioned in the Yajurveda (Shukla XXX.16; Krisha III.4,12,1), and in the Atharvaveda (X.4,14). According to Suniti Kumar Chatterji, the name Kirata seems to be used for any non-Aryan hill-folk, however Manu's Dharmashastra (X.44) calls them "degraded Kshatriyas", which Chatterji infers to be a term for people who were advanced in military or civilization to some degree and not complete barbarians. It is speculated that the term is a Sanskritization of a Tibeto-Burman tribal name, like that of Kirant or Kiranti of eastern Nepal. In the Periplus, the Kirata are called Kirradai, who are the same people as the Pliny's Scyrites and Aelian's Skiratai; though Ptolemy does not name them, he does mention their land which is called Kirradia. They are characterized as barbaric in their ways, Mongoloid in appearance speaking a Tibeto-Burmese language. The Sesatai (known to Ptolemy and Pliny the Elder as Saesadai or Sosaeadae), who traded the aromatic plant malabathrum, were described – in terms similar to descriptions of the Kirradai – as short and flat-faced, but also shaggy and white. Ancient Indian texts gives an indication of their geographical position. In the Mahabharata, Bhima meets the Kiratas to the east of Videha, where his son Ghatotkacha is born; and in general, the dwellers of the Himalayas, especially the eastern Himalayas, were called Kiratas. In general they are mentioned as "gold-like", or yellow, unlike the Nishadas or the Dasas, who were dark Austric people.

The Kirati people, also spelled as Kirant or Kiranti, are Sino-Tibetan ethnolinguistic groups living in the Himalayas, mostly the Eastern Himalaya extending eastward from Nepal to North East India (predominantly in the Indian state of Sikkim and the northern hilly regions of West Bengal, that is, Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts). The term "Kirat" has a rich and complex etymology rooted in the cultural and historical contexts of the eastern Himalayas. The Kirat people, who are indigenous to the region encompassing parts of Nepal, India, and Bhutan, trace their name back to ancient traditions and languages. The etymology of "Kirat" is believed to derive from the Sanskrit term "Kirāta," which originally referred to the indigenous tribes of the region, particularly those living in the hilly and mountainous areas of ancient India. In Sanskrit and classical texts, "Kirāta" was used to describe the people inhabiting the rugged terrains of the eastern Himalayas, who were perceived as different from the Aryan settlers of the Indo-Gangetic plains. This designation was not merely a label but reflected the distinct cultural, linguistic, and ethnic identities of the groups living in these regions. The term "Kirat" has evolved over time to encompass a broad array of ethnic groups within the Himalayas, including the Rai, Limbu, and other related communities. These groups have their own unique languages, customs, and traditions, yet share common cultural elements that tie them to the broader Kirat identity. The Kirat people have historically been known for their animistic beliefs and practices, which are deeply interwoven with the natural environment of the Himalayas. Their spiritual and cultural narratives often highlight a harmonious relationship with nature and ancestral worship.

The Kirati culture is one of the ancient cultures of Nepal, dating back thousands of years. It is believed that the Kiratis were the first people to settle in Nepal, and they played a significant role in shaping the country's history, culture, and traditions. The Kirati community is primarily found in the eastern part of Nepal, including the districts of Taplejung, Panchthar, Ilam, Dhankuta, and Sunsari. The Kirati people have a rich and diverse culture with unique customs, rituals, and beliefs that are still prevalent today. They have their own language, known as Kirat Rai, which is one of the 123 languages recognized by the Nepali government. The Kirati people are known for their strong sense of community and their love for nature. They have a deep connection with the mountains and forests, which they consider sacred. One of the most prominent festivals in Kirati culture is the Sakela festival, which is celebrated in the month of Baisakh (April–May) every year. The festival is a celebration of the Kirati New Year and is marked by colorful dances, music, and feasting. The Sakela festival is also an occasion for the Kirati people to offer prayers to their ancestors and seek their blessings. The Kirati people have their own traditional dress, which is known as the Kirat Rai dress. The dress is made of cotton and wool and is adorned with intricate embroidery and beadwork. The men wear a knee-length dress called the 'bakkhu,' while the women wear a long dress called the 'fariya.' The Kirati people also wear unique jewelry, including necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, which are made of silver and gold. The Kirati people have a rich tradition of folk music and dance, which is an integral part of their culture. They have various dance forms, including the Chandi dance, which is performed to honor the goddess Chandi, and the Serka dance, which is performed during the Sakela festival. Kirati music is usually accompanied by instruments such as the madal, damphu, and tungna. The Kirati people have a strong belief in their ancestral spirits, whom they believe guide and protect them. They have a tradition of shamanism, which is the practice of communicating with spirits through rituals and prayers. The shaman, known as the 'phedangma,' is a respected member of the community who is believed to have the power to heal and communicate with the spirits. The Kirati culture of Nepal is a unique and fascinating culture that has played a significant role in shaping the country's history and traditions. The Kirati people have a strong sense of community, a love for nature, and a deep connection with their ancestral spirits. Their customs, rituals, and beliefs are still prevalent today and are a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Nepal.