People Of Sikkim
The population of Sikkim comprises mainly of three ethnic communities, namely Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalese, who intermingle freely to constitute a homogenous blend. Besides these there are other communities also who have come from the plains and are mainly involved in business and government services.
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 Nepalese
They are a people with a natural gaiety; their culture and customs are as fascinating as the surroundings in which they live.They account for 67% of the total population of Sikkim.
The Bhutias
These are the people of Tibetan origin. They migrated to Sikkim perhaps somewhere after the fifteenth century through the state of Sikkim.In Northen 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 .
The traditional dress of the male member is known as the "Bakhu" which is a loose cloak type garment with full sleeves. The ladies dress consists of a silken "Honju" which is a full sleeve blouse and a loose gown type garment. The ladies are very fond of heavy jewelry made of pure gold.
