Posted by: JPEG June 15, 2009
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Lepcha ni beauty.
The Lepcha (also known as the Rong, Rongke, or Rongpa). They are the aboriginal inhabitants of
present day Sikkim. Many Lepcha are also found in western and southwestern Bhutan, Tibet, Darjeeling and the Ilam District of eastern Nepal. The ancient Lepchas are believed to have originated from the foothills of Mount Kanchanjunga, which they revere as their deity. They have their own script, and their holy scripture is called Astachyo. In Lepcha society, alcohol is considered "clean". There is no animosity and caste system among the Lepchas. The dead are taken out through the broken wall of the house and are buried. The Lepcha social council is called Rong Senungthi.
According to their mythology, a place called Mayal Lyang near Mt Kanchanjungha is their original abode. Besides Ilam, they are found in small numbers in Dhankuta in Nepal. Outside Nepal, this tribe is found in Sikkim and in Darjeeling of West Bengal. The census of 2001 records their population at 3,660(NEFIN) and hence they are put in an Endangered Group.
The ancient religion of Lepchas (Lapchas) is called ‘Munlom', almighty god is called ‘Takbo
Thingum', the master of wicked souls is called ‘Chhyugemung Pano' and shamans are called ‘Bungthinglom' (Chemjong, BS2026). Nowadays Lepchas are seen accepting all three religions, ie Buddhism, worshiping of nature and Dhami-jhankribad (shamanism). They are widely influenced by Dhamis and Jhankris besides Lamas. Their dhami is called ‘Mun Mun'. The better group of Mun Mun is called Tang-Li Mun and the worse group is call Mun-Mook Mun in accordance with these beliefs. In addition to these, Padem or Bonthing, Yaba (female Yama) is believed to have come from Limbus and Pau from Sikkimese Bhotes (Gorer, ibid: 215-216). They are considered to be rich in folklore.
Emergence of Lepcha:
According to the "The History of the Kirat People" 2003, The Rong or Lapcha Kirat people originated from three sources. The first group who claimed its origin from the west or Elam of Southern Persia to Eastern Nepal was called the Elammu or Elamite family. Arammu were residents of Aram land, or Syria. The second group of Khamba Lapchas, migrated from Kham of Eastern Tibet or Suchuwang province of China. The third group, Rong Lapchas who belonged to Nam Maw and Tai Tembe, Nam Gam Tembe of Mokwan locality of Unan province of Southern China, had entered Nepal via North Burma with their leader Mung Maw Rong. All three groups settled and intermingled in East Nepal and claimed themselves to be Rong or Mutan Chi Rong- a distorted version of Mung Tai Chi Rong. The term Lepcha was coined by their close neighbors the Bahing Rai tribe for their residence was situated in the eastern corner of Kirat land of modern Nepal.
Based on this some anthropologists suggest they emigrated directly from Tibet to the north,or said to be migrated from Eastern Mongolia. while others suggest a more complex migration that started in southeast Tibet, migrated to either Thailand, Burma or Japan, then navigated the Ayeyarwady River and Chindwin rivers, crossed the mighty Patkoi range coming back west, and finally entered into ancient India. While migrating westward through India they are surmised to have passed through southern Bhutan before reaching their final destination near Kanchenjunga.
The folklore of the Lepcha or the Rong people do mentions that they are the descendant of Limbu people.
The Lepcha (also known as the Rong, Rongke, or Rongpa). They are the aboriginal inhabitants of
present day Sikkim. Many Lepcha are also found in western and southwestern Bhutan, Tibet, Darjeeling and the Ilam District of eastern Nepal. The ancient Lepchas are believed to have originated from the foothills of Mount Kanchanjunga, which they revere as their deity. They have their own script, and their holy scripture is called Astachyo. In Lepcha society, alcohol is considered "clean". There is no animosity and caste system among the Lepchas. The dead are taken out through the broken wall of the house and are buried. The Lepcha social council is called Rong Senungthi.
According to their mythology, a place called Mayal Lyang near Mt Kanchanjungha is their original abode. Besides Ilam, they are found in small numbers in Dhankuta in Nepal. Outside Nepal, this tribe is found in Sikkim and in Darjeeling of West Bengal. The census of 2001 records their population at 3,660(NEFIN) and hence they are put in an Endangered Group.
The ancient religion of Lepchas (Lapchas) is called ‘Munlom', almighty god is called ‘Takbo
Thingum', the master of wicked souls is called ‘Chhyugemung Pano' and shamans are called ‘Bungthinglom' (Chemjong, BS2026). Nowadays Lepchas are seen accepting all three religions, ie Buddhism, worshiping of nature and Dhami-jhankribad (shamanism). They are widely influenced by Dhamis and Jhankris besides Lamas. Their dhami is called ‘Mun Mun'. The better group of Mun Mun is called Tang-Li Mun and the worse group is call Mun-Mook Mun in accordance with these beliefs. In addition to these, Padem or Bonthing, Yaba (female Yama) is believed to have come from Limbus and Pau from Sikkimese Bhotes (Gorer, ibid: 215-216). They are considered to be rich in folklore.
Emergence of Lepcha:
According to the "The History of the Kirat People" 2003, The Rong or Lapcha Kirat people originated from three sources. The first group who claimed its origin from the west or Elam of Southern Persia to Eastern Nepal was called the Elammu or Elamite family. Arammu were residents of Aram land, or Syria. The second group of Khamba Lapchas, migrated from Kham of Eastern Tibet or Suchuwang province of China. The third group, Rong Lapchas who belonged to Nam Maw and Tai Tembe, Nam Gam Tembe of Mokwan locality of Unan province of Southern China, had entered Nepal via North Burma with their leader Mung Maw Rong. All three groups settled and intermingled in East Nepal and claimed themselves to be Rong or Mutan Chi Rong- a distorted version of Mung Tai Chi Rong. The term Lepcha was coined by their close neighbors the Bahing Rai tribe for their residence was situated in the eastern corner of Kirat land of modern Nepal.
Based on this some anthropologists suggest they emigrated directly from Tibet to the north,or said to be migrated from Eastern Mongolia. while others suggest a more complex migration that started in southeast Tibet, migrated to either Thailand, Burma or Japan, then navigated the Ayeyarwady River and Chindwin rivers, crossed the mighty Patkoi range coming back west, and finally entered into ancient India. While migrating westward through India they are surmised to have passed through southern Bhutan before reaching their final destination near Kanchenjunga.
The folklore of the Lepcha or the Rong people do mentions that they are the descendant of Limbu people.
Last edited: 15-Jun-09 06:57 PM