A DYING RACE.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 July 1925, Page 4

A DYING RACE.

Sikkim, including the present Darjeeling district of Bengal, wti.s origin.illy inluddted by the Lepchas, a taco of .Mongolian origin, who called themselves “Rung’’ or “Ravine dwellers.'’ The word “Sikkim - ’ itself—or, more correctly, ‘‘Sukhitn’’—means “The Xew iloit.se” and was given to the country by the early Xepttle.se settlers,, sotno three or four hundred years ago. Tlio Lcpchas have their own version of the Adam and Eve legend and trace their origin to a mythical couple named “Tekona Tek” ami “Xekottg XgttL” The hejicha Pantheon is composed of certain good spirits, •‘Hlittm.” and innumerahle dements, “.Moon",” the latter being held responsible lor every ill that vexes humanity from simple ailments to death, and for all havoc tan.sed by the elements. The l.cpelui people are very simple and very superstitious, and leave all dealings with these evil spirits to their priests, called “llongthing.” These individuals are called in in cases of sickness to propitiate and exercise the particular demon that is causing the trouble.

Another important person in the Lopchu clergy is the ‘'Pan”, or oraclepriest. This individual, when exercising his powers, performs a kind of solemn dame, holding a drum formed " from a human skull in his right hand and a hell in his left. During this dance the spirits cuter into him. and while under their control the Pao gives advise and information on any question put to hint hv members of the audience. Those pay a small foe for his services. Among the kept-lias the parents arrange the marriages of their children, the latter having very little say in the matter. The usual practice is for the parents of the prospective bridegroom to obtain the services of a ‘Tamibu,’’ or middle man. who conducts negotiations with the parents of the girl desired as a bride for their Sun. On the marriage morning the entire families of the bride and bridegroom assemble at the house of the bride’s father, tleneral feasting and merrymaking continues all the morning. Tn the afternoon the whole party escorts the bride to her father-in-law’s house, where more feasting takes place. Much drinking of millet-beer, or “murwa.” is indulged in at both houses. ’Hie Lepeha’s one great failing is his fondness for the millet-beer, and this has contributed in no {small measure to his present state of poverty and lack cf ambition. Indulgence in liquor has rendered him unable to compete with the more virile Nepali cultivator, who now holds almost all the best land in Sikkim.