The Lepchas have their own script and language. Agriculture is their main occupation and cardamom, cinnamon, paddy and oranges are their main crops. The Lepcha tribe is now spread in all parts of Sikkim because of network of roads, communications, education and seeking government jobs. They are marching forward with the rest of the fellow citizens of the State.

The language of Lepchas is recognised by the Government of Sikkim and is taught up to Graduate level. They have held many important posts during the rules of various Maharajas of Sikkim and now they have come to the level of bureaucrats, ministers and hold other covetable posts under Government of Sikkim. In Sikkim legislative Assembly, 12 seats are reserved for Lepchas and Bhutias.

The Bhutias

The Bhutias came to Sikkim sometime in the 15th century and are mainly descendants of the early settlers from Tibet and Bhutan. They accompanied ancestors of the first Chogyal Phuntsog Namgyal. They settled in higher altitude, driving the Lepchas into the forests and lower valleys. The Bhutias are sturdy and well built with a good physique and mongolian features. The Bhutia villages are big and are arranged in tiers on undulating hills. They are followers of Buddhism and the monasteries occupy predominant place and play an important role in the socio-cultural life of the Bhutias. They prefer to live in patriarchal joint family. The Bhutia families are known as the category of village headmen and Landlords or Kazis.

The Bhutias promoted Jhooming (shifting) cultivation as they possessed plenty of cultivable lands and sowed paddy, kodo (millet), maize and other cereals. The Bhutias have imbibed the Tibetan Civilization in regard to their dresses, ornaments, religion and scripts. Their language is Sikkimese language (Bhutia language) and they follow Buddhism. The Bhutia language is taught up to degree level. University of North Bengal has included Bhutia, Lepcha and Limboo languages since 2000 as Modem Indian languages. Sikkimese Bhutia language is a State recognised language.

Monasteries, prayer flags, prayer wheels and chortens are much a part of the lives of the Bhutias as faith in reincarnation. Earlier every Bhutia family had a male member who joined the monastery and led the life of a monk because the monks are considered the intellectual elite of the Bhutia Society and education was the sole preserve of the monasteries.

The Bhutias are fond of their CHAANG – an indigenous drink which is a preparation from fermented millet served in a bamboo containers called TONGBA with hollow bamboo pipe. It is an indispensable part of every Sikkimese ceremony. The Bhutias are expert weavers and the hand-woven rugs, carpets and blankets are very famous and quite high in demand. All Bhutia art and paintings are derived from Buddhist spirituality and the most famous are the THANGKAS. The Bhutia craftsmen are known for the intricately carved statues, objects of worship and Choktses-the carved tables.

The Bhutia Calendar follows the Tibetan Buddhist calendar which has 12 years and 60 year cycles. The 12 years are named after 12 animals and the combination with 5 elements (namely wood, water, iron, fire and earth) is used for the 60 year cycles.

Today the Bhutia society is ‘undergoing subtle changes owing to education, culture, social events, government jobs, political and constitutional safeguards and government employment. Many of them are serving in very high administrative posts and Ministership. The Bhutias along with Lepchas have 12 seats reserved in the State Legislative Assembly.