Culture in Yuksom - Renok Adventures

The Bhutias speak in Bhutia language among themselves and they practice Buddhism. Lepchas speak a language called “Rongring” and their own Lepcha script “Mutanchi Rong Aming” with 28 consonants and eight conjoint letters.

The Bhutia folk songs are:

Zhung- Lhu folk song: A group folk song sung during Zhung-Shey folk dance making a circular during a wedding ceremony, house –warming ceremony and Losoong festivals.
Tey-Lhu folk song: A folk song sung by one or more persons in line up manner during Tey-Zhey folk dance.

The Bhutia Folk Dances and Festivals:

Zhung – Shey Dance: This is a group dance in a circular manner with the tune of the country songs called “Zhung-Lhu.” Performed during the main ceremony of Ngen-Chhan Thung (wedding ceremony), Kyimsa Tashi (house warming ceremony), and in Losoong (New Year of the Bhutia’s calendar).

Tey-Zhey Dance: This performed by either one or more persons in lined up manner or sometimes moving forward and backward with the tune of folk songs called “Tey- Lhu”

Festivals: The major Bhutia festivals celebrated are Losoong, Pang-Lhasol, Kagyed Dance, Sagadawa, Drukpa- Tsezhi, Lha-Bap- Dhuechen, Guru Rimpoche’s Thurungkar Tsechu, Bumchu, etc. They also participate in festivals of other communities like Dasai, Tihar.

Lepcha Folksongs:

Folk songs are broadly divided into the following categories:

Lenchyovom: Love songs;
Thanung Savom: Songs of humor;
Asyot Vom: Ceremonial songs;
Rum Kat Vom: Songs relating to agriculture;
Bivom: Songs sung during marriages;
Lyang -Niro- Chyko-Vom: Patriotic Songs;
Apart-Apok- Vom: Songs of planting season
Aprya-Vom: prayer to god

Folk Dances of Lepchas:

Zomak-Lok: Dance relating to agriculture;
Fen-Lok: War dance;
Pasyalyon or Guru-lok- Historical dance;
Yaba-lok: Mystic dance and Dance relating to Mythology

Festivals:

Naam Soong or Namboon: It is the Lepcha New Year, which falls every year in the month of Lepcha calendar (Kurnyit Lavo) during the last week of December to the first week of January.
Tendong Lho Rum Faat festival: Celebrated on 8^th August every year, it is connected with the legend of overflowing which nearly swallowed Sikkim which was ultimately stopped by Rum (God) and saved Sikkim from drowning.
Muk Zikding Rum Faat: Connected with nature and its greenery. It is celebrated in February every year. It is the season of sprouting of all vegetation, trees, and shrubs.

Also, check out:

Sikkim:

About Sikkim

Best season to visit Sikkim

Demography of Sikkim

Economy of Sikkim

Entry and Exit in Sikkim

Flora and fauna of West Sikkim