Culture of Sikkim

Sikkim which was a tiny Himalayan kingdom tucked between China and India till its merger with the latter in 197 5, is at present one of the smallest states of North East India. Sikkimese society consists of multiple cultural-racial groups like Nepalis, Lepchas, Bhutias etc. of which Nepalis constitute the majority. Apart from them, there exist some smaller groups like Sherpas, Tsongs (Limboos) etc., who are identified as Nepalis in Sikkim. Sikkim, like other parts of India, ·has been invaded by attempts at culturalterritorial mobilization or popularly known as ethnic mobilization since the introduction of parliamentary democracy after the merger with India.

Before the merger, the ruling N amgyal dynasty belonging to a minority Bhutia racial community was ruling over subjects belonging to different racial-cultural communities; and this helped the Bhutia community to· acquire a predominant position though members of other communities :also occupied important positions in the monarchical administration. Cultural-territorial mobilizations or ethnic mobilizations were not altogether unknown under the monarchical form of government in Sikkim. Incidents of Lepcha or Nepali, including the Tsongs (Limboos), protests against the Bhutia · dominations did occur, but such mobilizations though had community orientation were not cultural or ethnic I mobilizations in the modem sense; they were primarily directed against the state or its agents. Attempts at cultural-ethnic mobilization became discernible with the emergence of political parties during the second half of the 20th century. There were political parties like Sikkim National Party, formed in April, 1948, which articulated interests of a particular community. Such community interests, however, were hever presented as the interest of any particular community. Rather such community interests were aggregated and presented as the general interests of Sikkim. Even when the general subjects of whom Nepalis constituted the majority, protested against the discriminatory and .oppressive rule of the Bhutia king and elites, the protest movement was not known as the movement by Nepalis. Rather it was the grievances surfaced in the form of movement for introduction of democracy in Sikkim.

There are evidences showing cultural exchanges and inter-community marriages among the members of the three major communities in the past though it was not as common as in the present day. The Bhutias and Lepchas are Buddhists while Nepalis are predominantly Hindus (certain sections of the Nepalis, particularly Tamangs, Gurungs and Shakyas are Buddhists). But there is no history of religious conflict or a history of ethnic violence· and social conflict among the groups apart from the resentment expressed sporadically against the rulers and their agents. In other words, history does not appear to be a strong basis for emergence of ethnic or cultural politics in Sikkim. Yet cultural-ethnic politics did not only emerge, it is sustained and proliferated further in Sikkim in recent past.

An interesting ‘spill-over effect’ of such proliferation of cultural-racialethnic mobilization by major communities like Nepalis, Bhutias and Lepchas, is that certain smaller communities which were considered as sub-groups of larger communities have also started to assert their distinct language, culture and . . identity. For instance, the Tsongs (Limboos) are acknowledged as a Nepali tribe in adjacent Darjeeling district of West Bengal, but in Sikkim the Tsongs’ now claim to be a separate community with their own language and culture, distinct from the Nepali community. Contrarily, the Bhutias in recent times have demanded for exclusion of Sherpas from the Bhutia fold though the Sherpas for ,generations are acknowledged as Bhutias. All these developments are indicative of a sharp increase in community consciousness and enhanced emphasis on community identity in which redefinition of ethnic boundary of the community and community’s name is also underway.

The three ethnic groups of people represent a synthesis of three diverse cultures, traditions, religions in Sikkim. These communities of Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese are an analogous interfusion with their distinct identity. If there is a temple, there is also a mosque, if there is a monastery there is also a church. The communities have their own traditional folk dance forms. The Nepalese, the Lepchas and the Sikkimese have unique folk dances, each different and each amusingly groovy.

Sikkim’s Nepalese majority celebrate all major Hindu festivals, including Diwali and Dussera. Traditional local festivals, such as Maghe Sankranti and Bhimsen Puja, are also popular. Losar, Loosong, Saga Dawa, Lhabab Duechen, Drupka Teshi and Bhumchu are among the Buddhist festivals celebrated in Sikkim. During the Losar (Tibetan New Year), most offices and educational institutions are closed for a week. Sikkimese Muslims celebrate Eid ul-Fitr and Muharram.

Western rock music and Indian pop have gained a wide following in Sikkim. Indigenous Nepali rock and Lepcha music are also popular. Sikkim’s most popular sports are football and cricket, although hang gliding and river rafting have also grown popular as part of the tourism industry.

Sikkim has a rich cultural dance forms that include the folk dances of Lepcha like Zo-Mal-Lok, Chu Faat,Kar Gnok Lok, Dharma Jo and Mon Dryak Loks; the folk dances of Bhutia like Talachi, Lu Khangthamo, Gha To Kito, Be Yu Mista, Chi Rimu, Rechungma, Gnungmala Gnunghey, Tashi Zaldha and the folk dances of Nepali like Maruni, Tamang Selo, Dhaan Naach, Dau Ra JaneZo-Mal-Lok, Sebru Naach and many more.

Sikkim is also known for its festivals like Flower Festival, Gangtok Food and Culture Festival, Hee Bermiock Heritage & Tourism Festival, Khangchendzonga Tourist festival, Lampokhari Tourism Festival, Mangan Music Festival, Namchi Mahotsav, Ravangla Festival.

Nepali is the lingua franca of Sikkim, while Sikkimese and Lepcha are spoken in certain areas. English and Hindi are also spoken and understood in most of Sikkim.

Sikkim is inhabited by multi cultural communities and each of them has cultures, traditions and rituals which are specific and typical of them. In general, the Sikkimese society is inhabited by three communities namely; Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese. Buddhism and Hinduism are the major religions followed by the people here. Coexistence of these diverse communities has offered Sikkim wide variety of festivals as they are being celebrated with lots of fervour in different parts of the state.

Notably many festivals in Sikkim are rooted to respective religions and are largely based on religious scriptures, events or sermons. Some of these festivals occur as a sign of changing seasons while others mark the beginning or culmination of seasonal agricultural activities like sowing or harvest. Similarly there are festivals which pronounce the arrival of New Year and some festivals are being celebrated on certain ethnic traditions, historic moments, etc. Monasteries and the monk community act as the focal point for many of the Buddhist festivals. These festivals are known for their magnificence and spectacle and it captivates the tourists in awe.

The Buddhist calendar is filled with many festivals, among which the most popular are, Panglhabsol, Namsoong, Loosong, Bum chu. For the majority Nepalese community, their festivals are mainly connected to the Hindu religion. Invariably all important Hindu festivals like Dasai, Tihar, Maghey Sankranti, etc. are being celebrated in Sikkim with slight variations in festivities and associated rituals compared to the celebrations elsewhere. Besides this there are festivals which are celebrated by ethnic tribal communities and the festivals of the Lepcha community deserves special mention here.