Entry: sɨptɨlu
Grammar: n.
Meaning: the indoor fireplace in the Dumi household, a sacrosanct configuration of three equidistant long rectangular-prismatic stones buried upright in a circle, about one-fifth of the actual length protruding above ground and providing support for the various types of kho: 'vessels' used in cooking
Derivation: [< lu 'stone']
Comments: the sɨptɨlu is sacred to the Dumi household gods and goddesses and in its fire, embers and ashes; a shaman is capable of seeing the whole of the universe, the hidden schemes of the gods, the cosmic order and the future in the triangle of the sɨptɨlu within the square of the ba:kkuli; oaths are taken by the Dumi by touching one of the stones of the sɨptɨlu (vide sɨptɨ ); Limbu sumhaʔluN; cf. ba:kkuli, birmelu, daʔlo:, danilu, payadanilu, ki:mbinlu, seyǝrlu, watalu, wa:ttolu. 