Dzongu...A Lepcha reserve

The protected state of the Dzongu area in the Northern confines of the erstwhile Mayel Lyang has ensured independent development and evolution of the Lepcha culture. There has been considerable influence of the latter day Buddhist traditions and the Gombu culture in the social life yet the central ethos of the residents remain more Lepcha as compared to those of the lepchas who have been exposed to newer cultures entering into the Himalayan state. Historically the Dzongu reserve has always been the estate of the Queen of the Kingdom of Sikkim.

According to Gorer (1938) it was ensured by the Maharajah of Sikkim by dint of a law that only pure blooded Lepchas could be landowners in Dzongu and also maintain purity in the native tribe. The erstwhile rulers of Sikkim were quite successful in making Dzongu a Lepcha land. Gorer noted “It is only in zongu and in one or two small villages outside the reserve that there is a homogenous Lepcha society, practically undisturbed by alien influence” (Gorer, 1938 reprinted 1987 pg 37)

The erstwhile rulers of Sikkim took certain measures to uphold the indigenous tribal status of the Lepcha. In 1956, Sir  Tashi Namgyal , the  then maharajah of Sikkim issued a proclamation that stated, inter alia, “the interest of the indigenous and backward people in the North Sikkim area require to be safeguarded.” He also proclaimed “the rules relating to the settlement and /or carrying on of any occupation in such areas by outsiders (non-indigenous) only on a permit issued by the Sikkim Darbar shall continue to hold force” (Proclamation of His Highness Tashi Namgyal, KCSI, KCIE Maharajah of Sikkim, dated August 1956). Following the proclamation, the Home department, government of Sikkim issued a notification stating that “It is hereby ordered that any outsider (non-indigenous) settling and /or carrying on any occupation in the prescribed areas without permit issued by the Sikkim darbar shall be liable to imprisonment upto 3 years and / or fine upto Rs.10000 in default imprisonment upto 6 months.” (Notification no.3069/OS)

...the memories of AZEM Rebecca

..A tribute

Khamri

…….This came in from Anum Azuk Rongkup from Kalimpong.

The Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association, Headquarters Kalimpong, in collaboration with M. Way Charitable Trust, UK, organised the Renyoo Aazem Rebecca Namchyoomoo  Memorial Lepcha Songs and Dance competition on 6th March 2010 and it was held at the newly built Lepcha Hall, Lower Bom, Kalimpong

The aim and objective of organizing the Lepcha Folk Songs and Dance Competition was to revive and foster the ancient traditional Lepcha folk songs, dance and music for posterity in Mayel lyang. The Chief Guest of the day was Ren Michael Way, England. The Lepcha youth and children from remote Lepcha villages participated in the competition and it is really heartening to report that 17(seventeen) Native English  Language Teachers from England  and elsewhere also participated in the event. Renyoo Hildamit Lepcha, Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee, the Guest of Honour, also spoke on the Lepcha folk songs and dances.

DAVID BABUNEE

Khamri to all

            I begin with a sincere apology that I could not update this series as frequently as many would have wanted. Anyways the truth is I was waiting for the material for this article which was so eagerly given to me by ANOM Magdalene of Pakyong Sikkim.

            This is about one of the most important Lepcha hero who not only achieved great feats during her life time but she went on to impact the life of every child born into a Lepcha household. You may not be aware but she has been able to affect your life too in her own subtle yet effective way. Her name is AZEM REBBECCA

            Born in the Lepcha town of Kalimpong she had to marry her dead aneu’s Bengali Husband ( David Mohan)who was old enough to be her Grandfather under the Angaop System which is a very important cultural practice among the Lepchas (note: for more information on this system please find the relevant blog in the site www.zorbongthing-lepchaculturelessons.blogspot.com) .

            She fitted into her new role very comfortably and before long she was hobnobbing with the high profile people visiting Kalimpong during the early 1940s. Even though she had not had any formal education she managed three languages namely Lepcha, Hindi and Nepali very comfortably. A simpleton at heart she saw the plight of the indigenous Lepchas amongst the ever increasing numbers of immigrants to the small town of Kalimpong. She realized that the passive Lepchas did not stand a chance against the more virile and hardworking people entering Kalimpong.

            She joined the Kalimpong Lepcha Association in 1947 and went on to become its president. With her constant efforts she managed to lead a Lepcha delegation to meet Nehru the then prime Minister of India. It is reported that it was because of her efforts that Lepchas were included in the Scheduled Tribes (Article 342 and 366 of the Indian Constitution) list-and the benefit of which all of us are reaping now and this precedent ensured that the lepchas of Sikkim were also included as Scheduled Tribes when the merger took place in 1975. She even managed to convince to pass law restricting the sale of Lepcha land to non-lepchas.

            She also was appointed as the municipal commissioner of Kalimpong. Her house, the Kanchenjunga Kothee, in Kalimpong was a hub for the visiting British gentry, her Bengali Babus, the eager Missionaries and her kith and kin the Lepchas of Kalimpong. It is said that she behind the first documentary film made about the lepchas. She also encouraged the lepcha folk to read and write languages.

            True to her heart she managed to initiate the process of amalgamating the nature loving Lepchas into the Indian mainstream for which she worked unceasingly till she died of prolonged sickness in 1958.