The SUNGLYON or the after death ceremony of the Lepcha is highlight of the belief Lepchas hold it dear of the afterlife. Whenever fate claims one of the family a MUN is immediately contacted and the preparations of the final journey of the APIL (soul) of the deceased are made. The MUN who acts as a guide for the lost APIL performs the incantations which are very heartrending in tune and the entire chanting is melancholic. It is believed that the APIL is confused about its immediate status and has to be convinced that it has to leave this world and head for the RUMLYANG (land of the GOD) where the ancestors of the PUTSO are awaiting the return. The invocations are done in TUNGBOAR RING and it guides the APIL through the different terrain of the Lepcha country starting somewhere near the present day Sevoke town following the upstream flow of river Teesta, through the holy land of the lepcha (DZONGU in north Sikkim) right up to the allotted CHU (of the PUTSO) through the LEP (gateway or a cave) which is located in the anyone of the many Peaks near and around Mount Kanchenjunga.
The corpse is usually kept in a sitting position and buried facing the great mount Kanchenjunga. After the burial upright stones (LONGCHUKS) are erected, which is but a replica of the great LONG CHUK (Mount Kanchenjunga) itself. The total process of the burial reflects the kinship shared by the lepcha with the nature and the Creator.
The adoption of the Christian and Buddhist faith by the Lepcha has seen a decline in this practice of burial. But the efforts of the village elders and different associations are slowly bringing this tradition back to the cultural life of the Lepcha.
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