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believers in the bone faith or mune faith. This faith was basically based on spirits, good and
bad. They worshipped spirits of mountains, rivers and forests
which was but natural for a tribe that co-existed so harmoniously
with the rich natural surroundings. The Lepcha (Zongu) folklore is
rich with stories. The Lepcha population is concentrated in the
central part of the Sikkim. This is the area that encompasses the
confluence of Lachen and Lachung rivers and Dickchu.
The Lepchas, in appearance, have slightly accentuated
Mongoloid features, are fair and boast a bigger build than their
neighbours. Docile and peace loving, the original inhabitants of
Sikkim have now become a minority and have a reservation earmarked
for them in the Dzongu region of North Sikkim. Here, one and still
find families living by age-old customs and manners- untouched by
the rapid strides into development that the rest of Sikkim has
taken. despite their unassuming nature, the Lepchas are highly
refined lot. Their language (also known as Rong ) is highly
developed and one of the few tribes to reconize the value of
education and, even today, boast of some highly educated
individuals.
Lepcha Language:
The origin of the Lepcha script itself is one shrouded in, yes
myths and lore again. While most of the Rongpas (as the Lepchas
call themselves) believe that the script was invented by Thekong
Mensalong, a legendary Lepcha figure believed to have lived
towards the beginning of the 17th
century. Then, of course, is the belief that the script was
invented by the Mother-Creator, Itbu-moo, herself. There is of
course no documentary evidence of either claim. The generally
accepted story of the script's genesis is that it was invented by
the third king of the Namgyal dynasty, Chador Namgyal, in the
eighteenth century.
Another version claims that the script came
Sikkim's way via Tibet, in fact, along with Buddhism it self.
Tibetan scholars have recorded that the Lepchas were given their
script by Lhatsun Chhembo, one of the three monks who "unlocked"
Sikkim and then consecrated the first Chogyal at Yuksom.
The theory of Lepcha language's origins which
comes our way from neighboring Nepal claims that the language got
its script in the 7th century BC. Historians in Nepal believe that
the script was the creation of King Maw-rong, the overlord of
Kirata chiefs. Kirats at the time lived in eastern Nepal and
present day Sikkim. This theory also claims that the Lepchas at
that time were known as Imay and find reference even in the two
Indian epics, Ramayana and Mahabharata. King Maw-rong is believed
to invented the script for his subjects and its use continues to
this day only among the Lepchas.
The language, according to philologists, falls
under the Tibeto-Burman group of languages spoken by tribes
inhabiting the sub-Himalayan region of the Tibeto-Burman curve of
the Himalayas. The language does not have its roots in Sanskrit
like the other tribal dialects of India, Bhutan and Nepal and,
like mentioned earlier, is unique because it is one of the few
tribal languages with a script of its own.
Lifestyle:
The Lepchas or Rong pa, literally the "ravine folk" are fast
dwindling in numbers. The Lepchas are very intelligent, samiable and
extremely hospitable. They love sports and games and are sociable.
They are peace-loving people who avoid quarrels. Many of them are
concentrated in the Dzongu valley in northern part of Sikkim. The
Lepchas mostly live by trade or on agriculture. Paddy, oranges and
cardamom are their favorable crops.
The Lepcha house or 'li' usually 4 or 5 feet above the ground, is
usually rectangular in shape. They are usually made of woody stems
of bamboo. Life in a Lepcha hut is very simple. Lepchas are
excellent weavers and make fine tribal cloth. They are also adept
in bamboo and cane weaving. A traditionally dressed Lepcha would
be found wearing half pajamas, under a robe made of striped cotton
resembling a loose jacket- the whole ensemble is called a pagi.
The robe, which comes to the knees, is pinned on the shoulder and
tied around the waist. Accompanying him would be a ban or payak,
the traditional Lepcha knife. Apart from their reserve Dzongu, the
Lepchas can be seen sporting their traditional dress at archery
competitions ( in which they are very good ) or during special
occasions like festivals and marriages. The Lepcha lady wears a
two - piece dress -a full sleeved blouse called tago and a
skirt called domdyan. A scarf round the head is also a common
feature. The Lepchas are also the best people to have around if
you are lost in the forest. Their close link with nature had led
them to possess a tremendous and unparalleled voclabury. They have
names and terms for every fern, bush, moss and mushroom. They also
know what is the best to eat in the forest. The delicacy of bamboo
shoots is, after their offering to world cuisine.
Their Festivals and Religion:
One of the major festivals of Lepcha is
Namsoong or popularly called as Lossong which marks the beginning
of the New year.It is the farmers New Year for this is usually the
time when the farmers rejoice and celebrate their harvest. Loosong
is celebrated privately among family members and friends; and
there is an air of festivity all around.
Lepchas celebrate Pang Lhabsol to worship Mount Khangchendzonga as
the guardien deity.The combination of the masked dance and the
warrior dance, gives the festival a unique look. The costumes are
resplendent, the masks colourful and impressive, and the
choreography of the warrior dance is spectacular.A week before the
dances,the lamas of Pemayangtse monastery offer prayers, invoking
Dzonga (as Mount Khangchendzonga is popularly called) to protect
the land and look after the people. This festival is held on the
15th day of the 7th month of the Tibetan calendar, corresponding
to late August and early September.
While most Lepchas are now Buddhists, a
sizeable number of them still follow their original faith, Bon.
Their animistic belief sees them worshipping nature in all its
forms, rivers, lakes and mountains. many aspects, like the worship
of Khangchendzonga, have also been included into Sikkimese
Buddhism. Christianity, too, has found many converts among the
Lepchas. In fact, the religion is now into its third generation in
Sikkim.
Although Lepchas have no caste system, they are
particular about their clans. They are particular, one might add,
not paranoid about in since not only do they marry into other
clans, but of late they have been progressive about marrying into
other communities too.
With agriculture, especially of cardamom, as
their main source of income, the Lepchas find enough time for
revelry, and participating in one of their festivals like Losoong,
sometime in November-December is a worthwhile experience. The
Rongpas continue to be what their " Mother-Creator " wanted them
to be-simple folk.
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