The Northern Mountains

• The northern mountains in the north of India extend from northwest to

northeast of India.
• Spanning 12 Indian states and union territories, namely Ladakh, Jammu and
Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, West Bengal, Arunachal
Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya and Assam.
 Lepcha Tribe: Location

• The Lepcha also called Rongkup (“beloved children of God")

are among the indigenous peoples of Sikkim, India and
Nepal, and number around 80,000.

• Many Lepcha are also found in western and southwestern

Bhutan, Tibet, Darjeeling, the Province No. 1 of eastern
Nepal, and in the hills of West Bengal.
 Culture

• The Lepcha have a rich tradition of dances, songs, and

folktales. The popular Lepcha folk dances are Zo-Mal-Lok,
Chu-Faat, Tendong Lo Rum Faat and Kinchum-Chu-Bomsa.

• Musical instruments used are Sanga (drum), Yangjey (string

instrument), Cymbal, Yarka, Flute and Tungbuk. One
popular instrument used by the Lepchas is a four-string lute
that is played with a bow.

• The Lepcha have their own language also called Lepcha.

 Culture continued…

• The traditional clothing for Lepcha women is the ankle-length 

dumbun, ("female dress"). It is one large piece of smooth cotton or
silk, usually of a solid color. 

•The traditional Lepcha clothing for men is the dumprá ("male

dress"). It is a multicolored, hand-woven cloth usually worn over
white shirt and trousers.

•Traditionally, the Lepcha live in a local house called a li. A traditional

home is made out of logs of wood and bamboo and rests around 4 to
5 feet above the ground on stilts.
 Activities

• The Lepchas are mostly agriculturists. They grow oranges,

rice, cardamoms, and other foods.

• The Lepchas are known for their unique weaving and

basketry skills.
 Food
• Lepcha cuisine is mild and not as spicy as Indian or Nepalese
cuisine.

• Rice is the staple, while wheat, maize and buckwheat are also used.
Fresh fruit and vegetables are used.

• Khuzom is a traditional Lepcha bread made from buck wheat,

millet, and corn or wheat flour.

• Popular Lepcha dishes include Ponguzom (Rice, fish, vegetable

grill), Su zom (Baked meat dish), Thukpa (Noodle, meat and
vegetable stew) and Sorongbeetuluk (Rice and nettle porridge)