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 History :
The Nepalese form the majority constituting about 70-80% of the
Sikkim's total population. The Nepalese are a conglomeration of
different ethnic groups, socially self contained.
The Nepalese are excellent farmers and soon after their
migration and settlement in Sikkim they introduced terrace
cultivation which brought a productive method of farming to the
mountainous terrain.
Lifestyle :
The Nepalese are spread throughout the east, west, north and south
districts of Sikkim. Their style of living is comparatively much
economical. Their dresses and diets are simple. They are good
farmers and businessmen. Also, they are ahead in education which
enables them to get jobs in the Government.
Nepalese- Their Festivals :
 Dasain is the biggest and most important festival celebrated by
the Nepalese Hindu. It falls approximately in the month of October
and is concurrent with the northern Indian celebration of
Dussehera. The Nepalese decorate their house doors and pillars
with banana leaves and strings of marigold flowers and say prayers
for the goddess Durga. On the eighth day or Ashtami, many families
sacrifice goats or buffaloes and on the tenth day or Vijayadashami,
the elder family members smear the foreheads of the younger
members with tikas and relatives visit each other seeking
blessings from the older members.
Tihar festival is celebrated 15 days after Dasain with great
gaiety and enthusiasm. The Nepalese worship Goddess Laxmi on the
first day. During the evenings thousands of butter lamps are
lighted and crackers are burst to celebrate the festival of light.
On the third day is Bhai-Tika when sisters put tikas on their
brother's forehead and pray for their well-being.
Nepalese- Their Culture :
The Sikkimese
Nepali is the inheritor of the legacy of Hindu traditions. The
language spoken by Nepalese is understood and spoken by people all
over the state. The Nepalese woman wear 'Chobandi cholo' as blouse
and sari complete the outfit. The men wear 'dowra suruwal'.
Many Nepali folk dances and songs are connected with cultivating
and harvesting seasons. One such popular dance is 'Dhan Naach'
performed to project a rich cultural heritage of this community. 'Maruni'
is one of the oldest dances in which young girls embellished with
colourful costumes and rich ornaments perform dance in an
extremely graceful and lyrical style on festive occasions.
The Nepalese community consists of several tribes. Among them are
the Gurungs, Limbus, Tamangs and Rais.
Learn more about them. |
