Detailed presentation on tribes of Sikkim

1. N. SOMA SEKHAR X-D

2. The people
There are three ethnic groups in Sikkim- Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese. The three
ethnic groups of people represent a synthesis of three diverse cultures, traditions and
religions in Sikkim. Due to a century-long population influx from Nepal, the majority of
Sikkim's residents are of Nepali ethnic origin. These communities of Lepchas, Bhutias
and Nepalese are an analogous interfusion with their distinct identity.
Lepchas Bhutias Nepalese

3. The people – in detail
Lepchas are deemed as the primitive inhabitants of Sikkim
much before the settlement of Bhutias and Nepalese. The
earlier Lepchas believed in bone faith or mune faith based
on good and bad spirits of mountains, rivers and forests but
later adopted Buddhism and Christianity.later adopted Buddhism and Christianity.
Lepchas

4. The people – in detail
Bhutias are the people originally from Kham area in the
Eastern Tibet who follow Lamanism and their lingua franca
is Sikkimese language, a dialect of the Tibetan Language.
They are called Lachenpas and Lachungpas in the North
Sikkim.Sikkim.
Bhutias

5. The people – in detail
Nepalese are the main residents of the state who migrated
after Lepchas and Bhutias. The terrace farming style of
cultivation and production of cardamom was introduced by
these people. Except Sherpas and Tamangs who are
Buddhists, other people are basically Hindu.Buddhists, other people are basically Hindu.
Nepalese

6. The languages spoken by Lepchas
 ‘Rong-aring’ or ‘Rongring’, Tibeto-Burman family.
 Very interesting, Scientific and Structured language.
 Animal’s name and matters of nature start with the letter ‘Sa’ (Surya,
Suthong, su-chyak, suna, suko, sangi, sattim, suhu, and suchuck, sungdul, are
names of tiger, leopard, bear, dear, lion, porcupine, monkey and sun, tree).
Snakes (Panu-bu, Pamal-bu, Panul-bu, Palong-bu). Bamboo products Ta- Snakes (Panu-bu, Pamal-bu, Panul-bu, Palong-bu). Bamboo products Ta-
zyang, Tangar, Tyanjyang, Tofu, Takchim, Talyung are the names of different
bamboo products.
 Have own script but most of their ancient literary works, called ‘NAMTHARS’
are recorded in Tibetian script.
 Third Chogyal, Chador Namgyal invented the Lepcha script. Lepchas believe
script existed before him and was created by Thikung Men Salong.

7. The Lepcha alphabetes

8. The languages spoken by Bhutias
The Sikkimese language, also called "Sikkimese Tibetan", "Bhutia", "Drenjongké"
(Tibetan: འབྲས་ལྗོངས་སྐད་, Wylie: 'bras ljongs skad "Rice Valley
language", Dranjoke, Denjongka, Denzongpeke, and Denzongke, belongs to the
Southern Tibetic languages. It is spoken by the Bhutia in Sikkim and northeast Nepal.
The Sikkimese people refer to their own language as Drendzongké and their homeland
as Drendzong (Tibetan: འབྲས་ལྗོངས་, Wylie: 'bras-ljongs;
"Rice Valley").
Language family-Sino-Tibetan

9. The Bhutia alphabetes

10. The languages spoken by Nepalese
Nepali (Devanagari: Nepali is an Indio-Aryan language of sub-branch of Eastern Pahari.
with around 17 million speakers in Nepal, Bhutan, Burma and India.
In India, Nepali is listed in the Eight schedule to the constitution as an Indian language
with official status in the state of Sikkim (20th Aug 1992).
Nepali developed on proximity to a number of Indo- Aryan language most notably the
other Pahari language and maithili shows Sanskrit influence.
Nepali was originally known as Khas Kurā and was the language of the Khasa kingdom,
which ruled over the foothills of what is now Nepal during the 13th and 14th centuries

11. The Nepalese alphabetes

12. The Costumes
There are different types of costumes worn by the 3 communities namely Lepchas,
Bhutias and Nepalis which are further divided into a wide variety.

13. The costumes of Lepchas
The inherited clothing of Lepcha women is Dumdyam or Dumvum, it is a type of cozy
and smooth ankle-long costume, dressed like a traditional saree. It is worn by many
women throughout in Sikkim.
Tago is another beautiful dress which is a loose-fitted worn with blouse called as
Nyamrek, a type of belt and Taro, a traditional headgear.Nyamrek, a type of belt and Taro, a traditional headgear.
Lepcha women decorate themselves with traditional ornaments like Namchok
(earrings), Lyak (necklace), Gyar (bracelet).
The male Lepcha mostly wear Thokro-Dum that includes a pajama, a shirt (Yenthatse),
Shambo (headgear). The dress of male is rough and good for the field work.

14. The costumes of Bhutias
The females of this community wear Kho or Bakhu, Hanju (is a full-sleeve loose-fitting
blouse of silk fabric), Kushen (a jacket), Shambo (a cap of specific design) and Shabchu
(the shoes).
 The females love to accessorize themselves with Yencho (the earrings), Khao
(necklace), Phiru (ornament made up of pearls), Diu (a gold bangle), and Joko (the ring).(necklace), Phiru (ornament made up of pearls), Diu (a gold bangle), and Joko (the ring).
 Gold is an obsession for Bhutia people and most of their ornaments are made up of
24K pure gold.
 Bhutia men wear Kho, also called as Bakhu. It is tied at the neck and the waist with
cotton or silk belt.

15. The costumes of Nepalese
Nepali women wear remarkable dresses endowed with beautiful hues. Pharia, the
saree, sure does enhances the beauty of the Nepali females with the vibrant colour and
beautiful patterns. Chaubandi Cholo, a loose fitting blouse adds to the look for sure.
Tharo Cholo is one more variety of blouses worn by the women of this community.
Hembari is a piece of cloth used to delicately cover the upper part of the body and is Hembari is a piece of cloth used to delicately cover the upper part of the body and is
as colourful and vibrant as any other attire.
 Nepali males love to wear Duwra Shurval, which is a Churidar Pajama with a
traditional shirt and Dhaka Topi.