EBSB Sikkim Project

1. CULTURE OF SIKKIM

2. SIKKIM: CULTURE
Sikkim is a beautiful land of manifold tribes and races of people living together. All these diverse tribes and
communities have their unique features in addition to their particular dance forms, festivals, languages, culture,
and craft forms. The miscellany of ethnic groups, religion, and languages is seen all over Sikkim.

3. PEOPLE
Different communities, cultures, religions, and customs find a perfect blend in Sikkim. Here, the principal communities
are the Lepchas, the Bhutias, and the Nepalese. The urban areas are influenced by the plainsmen, who have settled there,
because of their businesses and Government services. The developmental activities in the state, like construction of
roads, bridges, buildings etc, have attracted immigrant laborers from the plains and Nepal as well.Religions play an
important role in the life of residents of Sikkim. The two major religions that are followed actively in the state are
Buddhism and Hinduism. In fact, Buddhism emerges as the leading religious practice that is practiced by the majority of
the Tibetans and the Bhutias. Hinduism is ardently followed by the Nepalese. Apart from Buddhism and Hinduism,
religions like Christianity, Muslim, etc, are also practiced by many adherents.

4. LEPCHA
TRIBE
OF SIKKIM

5. BHUTIA
PEOPLE
RUMTEK
MONASTERY

6. CUISINE
The food of the people of Sikkim indicates the culture of this state which is a mélange of India, Nepal, Bhutan, and
Tibet. Sikkim food mainly comprises noodles, Gundruk and Sinki soups, thukpas, tomato achar pickle, traditional
cottage cheese, fermented soybean, Bamboo shoot, fermented rice product and some other fermented dishes
owing to its very cold climate. Rice is, however, the staple food of the state. Momos, also known as dumplings and
wantons are favorites among the Sikkimese people as well as the tourists. When it comes to non-vegetarian food,
they prefer fish, beef, and pork.People coming to explore Sikkim would never miss the great opportunity to taste
the very famous and delicious momos here which have different fillings from beef to chicken to pork. Steamed
and boiled food items are mainly found here with not so much utilization of masalas but other local spices and
herbs. And the people of Sikkim mostly prefer some drinks along with the food such as local beer, whiskey, and
rum.The people of the state grow crops like wheat, barley, buckwheat, finger millet, potato, and soybeans etc.
Through the fermentation process, the people are capable of preserving a lot of non-seasonal vegetables and this
is quite a traditional thing.

7. SIKKIM MOMOS
THUKPA NOODLES
BAMBOO SHOOT CURRY

8. LANGUAGE
Nepali is the primary language of Sikkim while Lepcha and Sikkimese (Bhutia) are also spoken in some part of
this north-east province. English is also spoken by the people of Sikkim. Other languages include Kafle, Limbu,
Majhwar, Yakha, Tamang, Tibetan, and Sherpa.

9. MUSIC AND DANCE
Folk songs and dances are an inveterate part of the Sikkimese culture. Most of the tribal dances depict the harvest
season and they are performed for prosperity. The dances of Sikkim are accompanied by traditional musical instruments,
chanting, and the dancers carry bright costumes and traditional masks. Some of the most famous dance forms are
Rechungma, Gha To Kito, Chi Rmu, Be Yu Mista, Tashi Zaldha, Enchey Chaam, Lu Khangthamo, Gnungmala Gnunghey, and
Kagyed Dance.
Kagyed dance

10. ART AND CRAFTS
There are a plenty of art and craft forms in Sikkim. The bulk of the people of the state belong to rural areas and they
have their old tradition of making several utility objects. One of the most popular handicraft objects of Sikkim includes a
choksee table, woolen carpet, canvas wall hanging, thangka delineating painting on various aspects of the state.Also, the
government has set up an institute of Cottage Industries in South District for the better development of the cottage
industries in Sikkim. The state has various handicrafts in the form of cane and bamboo products. Melli, Gangtok, and
Namchi are the very popular places of Sikkim for handloom products and cottage industries.The people of Sikkim are pro
when it comes to craft making as they have very special skills in the same. The womenfolk of the state are amazing
weavers and they attract the tourists by their excellent craft work. The handmade carpets and papers of the state are in
huge demand in and outside of Sikkim.

11. THANGKA
PAINTING
CHOKSEE
TABLE

12. CANE AND BAMBOO CRAFTS

13. FESTIVALS
Sikkim is a state in northeast Asia where numerous festivals are celebrated throughout the year. Majority of the people of
Sikkim follow Buddhism so the festival celebrated here are associated with the Buddhist and they are celebrated with a lot
of pomp and as per the Buddhist calendar.In Gompas or Monasteries of Sikkim, most of the festivals are celebrated where
people gather together in order to celebrate the occasion. During these festivals, the citizen of Sikkim involves in vibrant
and lively dances and music.The most fascinating form of ritual dance that is performed by the Lamas is “Chaam” which
involves colorful masks and amazing musical instruments. Lamas dressed with blithely painted masks, ceremonials swords,
sparkling jewels, and dance on the rhythm of the music, drums, and horns. Some of the most popular festivals, notable in
Sikkim are as follows:
i)Saga Dawa:
A triple favored celebration, Saga Dawa is reckoned as one of the godliest festivals in Sikkim especially for the Mahayana
Buddhists. On this particular day, the Buddhists visit the monasteries, offer the prayers and butter lamps as they were the
three remarkable events associated with the existence of Buddha which is celebrated at this event. This particular is held on
the full moon of the 4th month of the Buddhist calendar either at the end of May or at the beginning of June. This festival
takes place in Gangtok.

14. SAGA DAWA FESTIVAL

15. ii)Lhabab Dunchen Festival:
This festival represents the descent of Lord Buddha from the heaven. Lha means “Heaven” and bab means “Descent”. Thus, this
festival celebrates Lord Buddha’s descent from deva kingdom after teaching his departed mother, Mahamaya. This festival takes
place on the 22nd day of the 9th lunar month every year.
iii)Losar Festival:
Losar is Tibetan New Year festival and is marked with a lot of festivities, gaiety, merrymaking, and feasting. This festival usually
celebrated in the first week of February.
iv)Drupka Teshi Festival:
Another amazing festival celebrated by the Buddhist is the Drupka Teshi Festival. Falls on the fourth day of sixth Tibetan month,
around the month of August, this festival is celebrated with full excitement as on this day the Buddha lectured his first sermon of
four Noble Truths to his five disciples in Sarnath at the very famous deer park.
v)Phang Lhabsol:
Phang Lhabsol is one of the most unique festivals of Sikkim, wad made renowned by ChakdorNamgyal, the 3rd ruler of Sikkim.
This festival involves worshipping Mount Kanchendzonga and devoting for its uniting powers.

16. LOSAR FESTIVAL

17. vi)Losoong Festival:
Another great festival of Sikkim, Losoong Festival is celebrated on the occasion of the end of the harvest season and at
the end of the tenth month of Tibetan year in the rural Sikkim. During this festival, the Chaam dances by the people of
Sikkim are performed. All these festivals take place at the Tsu-La-Khang monastery, Phodong monastery, and Rumtek
monastery.
vii)Dasain Festival:
It is the main festival of Hindu Nepalese in Sikkim which takes place a few weeks before the Losoong Festival. The
celebration of this festival signifies the victory of good over evil. The elder people of the family apply “Tika” to younger
people and give them their blessings.
viii)Tihaar Festival:
The Tihaar Festival is another exciting festival of Sikkim that is celebrated as the festival of lights which is somewhat
like Diwali.

18. TIHAAR FESTIVAL

19. SPORTS
The Sikkimese are known for their traditional sport of archery which is played especially after the
harvest. This is one of the ancient sports practiced by the people rejuvenating the cultural identity of
the region. The players cannot play the sport wearing normal dresses but they will have to dress up
with their traditional attire named kho A small wooden target measuring 3 by1 feet lying at a
distance of 130 meters is to be shot. During the sport the opponents in order to confuse the player,
wreak verbal abuse on them. The women of the Bhutia community also participate where they use
vulgar insinuations at the opponent archers that even the most rational and pragmatic people also
start blushing. This is considered more often as a fun.

20. SIKKIM TRADITIONAL ARCHERY

21. CLOTHES/COSTUMES
The men belonging to the Lepcha community wear a white pajama, stretching to the calves and this is called as Thokro-Dum. The
men wear a shirt and a cap commonly known as Yenthatse and Shambo respectively. The costume of Bhutia men is similar to
that of the Lepcha which is known as Bakhu which is like a long robe and tied to the neck on one side and with a silk or a cotton
belt at the waist. On top of all this they prefer a waist coat, Jya Jya. Nepalese constitute a portion of the population of the people
of Sikkim and their origin is very clearly depicted in their attires. The Nepalese men dress themselves in Shurval, a Churidar
Pajama, topped off by a shirt, known as Daura. The women of Lepcha community drape themselves with a smooth and cozy dress
which is quite long and goes up to the ankle. The blouse worn by them is very loose and is known as Tago Apart from this they
wear a belt and a cap and adorn themselves with earrings, called Namchok, Lyak a necklace, Gyar and a bracelet. The costume of
the Bhutia women is more or less similar to that of the Lepcha's. The married women of this community apart from their regular
costume wear a stripy apron known as Pangden. They are quite crazy about gold ornaments The women belonging to the Nepali
community adorn themselves with vibrant colours especially the saris The blouse is loose and is fastened from four sides and
hence is called Chaubandi Cholo The upper portion of the body is daintily enveloped with a piece of cloth with wonderful prints. It
is called Hembari.

22. agriculture
Agriculture is the major occupation of the people of Sikkim. They grow cardamom, ginger and tea.
Apart from this the other principal crops grown here include Mandarin orange, guava, mango, banana
and turmeric. Tourism also forms the backbone of the Sikkim economy. Aqua-culture is an important
area of economic activity particularly in the context of enabling the rural people
SIKKIM ORANGES SIKKIM TEA GARDEN

23. Thank
you