The Jirel () is one of the 59 indigenous peoples in Nepal.They call themselves Jiriba, which means "people from the mountain of life." Jirel were separated from kirat dynasty.Jirel went to tibet for works or job in ancient time so they involved to follow Buddhist culture and their language.The name of the mountain Gaurishankar in Jiriba or Jirel is "Tsheri/ziri". In Jirel language "Zi/Tshe" means life or light and "Ri" means mountain. Jiriba means "the People from the life mountain". They are the original inhabitants of vast Jiri and its adjoining villages in Dolkha district, the central region of Nepal. They have their own distinct language, culture, customs, rituals and lifestyles. In the beginning They were bon practising phonbo "bonpo". They are now mostly Buddhist but many of the Jirel adhere to other religions, like Christianity, Islam and Hinduism.
thumb| Phonbo Bhakta Bahadur Jirel
They were Phon or "Bon" which also is in practice in tibetan known as "Bonpo" religion worldwide. Their indigenous shamanistic religious beliefs are centered on practitioners called Phonbo, "Shamans" who are believed to have a direct relationship with the supernatural world. Their main occupation is agriculture and animal husbandry.