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FEATURED
ADVENTURES |
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PHYSICAL
FEATURES |
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PEOPLE
& CULTURAL |
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LANGUAGES SPOKEN SIKKIM |
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It is traditionally accepted that
the Lepchas are the autochthonous tribe of Sikkim.
After them came the Bhutias, from Tibet, followed
by the Nepalese and finally the Indian business
community from the plains. |
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However, before one goes
into the ethnic composition of Sikkim, it needs
to be said that the Sikkimese, irrespective of
the tribe, class or community they belong to ,
are essentially simple folk. Like most hill-tribes,
the Sikkimese are thus far relatively untouched
by consumerism. Cliched though it may sound, the
Sikkimese truly exemplify how different communities
can exemplify how different communities can coexist
in peace and mutual |
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However, before one goes
into the ethnic composition of Sikkim, it needs
to be said that the Sikkimese, irrespective of
the tribe, class or community they belong to ,
are essentially simple folk. Like most hill-tribes,
the Sikkimese are thus far relatively untouched
by consumerism. Cliched though it may sound, the
Sikkimese truly exemplify how different communities
can exemplify how different communities can coexist
in peace and mutual
The Sikkimese can be broadly classified into the
Lephcas, the Bhutias, the Nepalese and the plainsmen
(mostly businessmen from elsewhere in India).
Communities, cultures, religions and Customs of
different hues intermingle freely here in Sikkim
to constitute a homogeneous blend. Hindu temples
co- exist with Buddhist monasteries and there
are even a few Christian churches, Muslim mosques
and Sikh "Gurdwara". Although the Buddhists
with monasteries all over the state are the most
conspicuous religious group, they are in fact
a minority constituting only 28% of the population.
The majority, 68% profess Hinduism. The predominant
communities are the Lepchas, Bhutias and the Nepalis.
In urban areas many plainsmen- Marwaris, Biharis,
Bengalis, South Indians, Punjabis- have also settled
and they are mostly engaged in business and government
service. Because of development and construction
activities in the state, a small part of the population
consists of migrant labourers from the plains
and from Nepal: plumbers, masons and carpenters
from Orissa, Bihar and West Bengal and Sherpas
who are hired by the army to maintain the roads
at high altitudes. There are also a few thousand
Tibetan Refugees settled in Sikkim. Cultural and
economic forces are reshaping the way of life
of the Sikkimese. This can be seen by taking a
walk down the M.G. Marg of Gangtok, boys and girls
sporting the latest fashions probably picked up
from a new Hindi movie or BBC s Clothes Show gaily
tromp up and down. An open Jeep carrying jubilant
footballers who have won a match passes by -they
are singing Daler Mehndi's popular Punjabi song
"Bol Ta Ra Ra" at the top of their voices.
The cable TV is definitely attempting to remould
the cultural landscape of Sikkim. You should not
be Surprised if you come across a village girl
some- where in the wilderness dressed in a Punjabi
Kurta Pajama singing a Hindi number "Didi
tera dewar diwana " while tending to her
herd of cattle. Inspite of such powerful external
influences, Sikkimese have proved to be resilient
accepting the benefits of progress while retaining
their ethnic identity. |
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THE LEPCHAS
The original inhabitants of Sikkim are said to
be Lepchas. They existed much before the Bhutias
and Nepalese migrated to the state. Before adopting
Buddhism or Christianity as their religion, the
earliest Lepcha settlers were 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. |
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THE NEPALESE
The Nepalese appeared on the Sikkim scene much
after the Lepchas & Bhutias. They migrated
in large numbers and soon became the dominant
community. The Nepalese now constitute more than
80 % of the total population. The Nepali settlers
introduced the terraced system of cultivation.
Cardamom was an important cash crop introduced
by the Nepalese. Except for the Sherpas &
Tamangs who are Buddhists, the Nepalese are orthodox
Hindus with the usual caste system. |
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THE BHUTIAS
They are the people of Tibetan origin. They migrated
to Sikkim perhaps somewhere after the fifteenth
century through the state of Sikkim. In Northern
Sikkim, where they are the major inhabitants, they
are known as the Lachenpas and Lachungpas. The language
spoken by the bhutias is Sikkimese . Bhutia villages
are as large as those compared to those of Lepchas.
A Bhutia house called "Khin" is usually
of rectangular shape |
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