Folk Dances of Sikkim
Sikkim- ‘Land of Cultural
Heritage’:
Sikkim,
the state of the multiracial has acclaimed the national and global appreciation
for its indigenous heritage and traditions. The entire population of Sikkim can
be divided into several ethnic groups. Each of these groups has a language,
culture, heritage, traditions, and the dance forms of their own. The gaiety
celebrations and festivities present a plethora of opportunities to witness the
traditional folk dance of Sikkim. The diversity of the ethnic groups
presents a varied and unique dance form which is widely acknowledged by the
Sikkimese. Diverse dance form of Sikkim signifies
the harmony, love, integrity, and mutual respect amongst the multiracial.
Amongst the all the communities in
Sikkim, the three major groups are comprised of Lepchas, Bhutias, and
Nepalese. Sikkim folk dance has become
an integral part of Sikkimese culture and traditions. Most of the Sikkim
culture dance is associated with the enchanting environment and beauty of
nature. Few of Sikkim dance personifies the
harvest system, and some of them are performed for the invoking the deities,
and some for entertainment purpose.
Want to know more about the Sikkim dance name and why it is performed? Here is the list of traditional dance forms of Sikkim performed the diverse communities of Sikkim, its detailed information, and its association with the culture, history, traditions, nature, and spirituality.
Dance is a medium to showcase rich history and
heritage-
The entire population of Sikkim can be broadly divided into three major
groups; Bhutias, Nepalis and Lepchas which have their own distinct language,
cultural programs, and dance forms.
Folk dances of Sikkim go together with the tunes of many musical
instruments. Here is a list about the types of folk dances Sikkim that you
cannot afford to miss-
1.
Lepchas:
The origin of the Lepcha is unknown. They may have originated in
Myanmar, Tibet or Mongolia] but the Lepcha people themselves firmly
believe that they did not migrate to the current location from anywhere and are
indigenous to the region. They speak a Tibeto-Burman language which some
classify as Himalayish. Based on this, some anthropologists suggest they
emigrated directly from Tibet to the north, Japan or from Eastern Mongolia.
Others suggest a more complex migration that started in southeast Tibet, a
migration to Thailand, Burma, or Japan, then a navigation of the Ayeyarwady
River and Chindwin rivers, a crossing of the Patkoi range coming back west, and
finally entering ancient India (this supported by Austroasiatic languages
substrata in their vocabularies). While migrating westward through India, they
are surmised to have passed through southern Bhutan before reaching their final
destination near Kanchenjunga. The Lepcha people themselves do not have any
tradition of migration, and hence they conclude that they are autochthonous to
the region, currently falling under the state of Sikkim, Darjeeling District of
West Bengal, eastern Nepal and the southwestern parts of Bhutan. In the Mechi
Zone, they form 7% of the population of Ilam District, 2% in Panchthar
District, and 10% of the population in Taplejung District. In Sikkim as a whole
they are considered to be around 15% of the population of the state
The Lepchas were
said to be the original inhabitants of Sikkim the migration of Bhutias and
Nepalese. The word "Lepcha" means the ravine folk. They were believed
in the bone faith or mune faith based on the spirits, good and bad. They used
to worship spirits of mountains, rivers and forests like any other tribes.
Perhaps, this could be the reason why these people prefer to live in the
healthy natural world. The Lepcha (Zongu) folklore is rich with stories.
Nowadays they are mainly adopting Buddhism or Christianity. Near about 10 to 14
percent of the population of Sikkim are belongs in this communities. The
Lepchas are concentrated in the central part of Sikkim. This area is encompassing
the confluence of Lachen and Lachung rivers and Dickchu.
The Lepchas speak
the language Lepcha, although this language is not very well developed but is
rich in vocabulary related to the flora & fauna of Sikkim.
Lifestyle of Lepchas:
The Lepchas have
a very simple lifestyle. They are very intelligent and hospitable in their
nature. They are peace-loving people who avoid quarrels. They love sports and
very good at archery. The polyandry marriages are permitted amongst the
Lepchas. They mostly live by business and on agriculture of paddy, cardamom and
oranges.
They build a
house known as "li". It has a rectangular shape and 4 to 5 feet
height, made by wood or bamboo. A traditionally dressed Lepcha male wear half pyjamas,
under a robe made of striped cotton resembling a loose jacket- the whole
ensemble is called a "pagi". The Lepcha lady wears a two - piece
dress -a full sleeved blouse called "tago" and a skirt called
"domdyan"
Folk Dances of the Lepchas:
There are a variety of folk dances performed by Lepchas-
Chu Faat Dance-
The Lepchas in
Sikkim, who seemed to be mountain worshippers, perform dance called Chu Faat.
This folk dance is performed as a way to honour the most popular mountain peak
in Sikkim, Kanchenjunga and the neighbouring Mt Pandim, Mt Narshing, Mt Kabru
and Mt Simbrum that are believed to possess minerals, medicine, salt, food
grains and for that matter, sacred text. Chu Faat Dance is specifically
performed on 15th day of the 7th month of the Buddhist calendar. The dancers
move around elegantly carrying butter lamps and sheaves of green bamboo while
devotional songs are sung.
Sikmari Dance-
Another dance form of the Lepchas is the Sikmari. The dance is
performed by the youth of the tribe, in order to show reverence to the
abundance of nature’s beauty and power of love. On the other side, the Bhutia
community is known for its variety of folk dances like Singhi Chaam, Yak Chaam,
Denzong Gnenha and Tashi Yangku. Bhutias, who were primarily herdsmen and
weavers perform Singhi Chaam dance to pay honour to what they refer to as snow
lion, a mythical beast that lives in upper regions of Himalaya. The Singhi
Chaam dancers like the Lepcha dancers also show reverence to Mt Kanchenjunga
and its four companion peaks with their performance, for which they are dressed
in white lion costumes and engage in mock fights.
2. Bhutias:
The ancestors of the Bhutia migrated from Tibet to north eastern
Nepal, Sikkim, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and other parts of modern-day Nepal India
and Bhutan. They migrated through the different passes ("La" in
Tibetan means "hill") in the Himalayas. Geographical indications in
the name of Bhutias' last names are common. In Northern Sikkim, for example,
where the Bhutias are the majority inhabitants, they are known as the Lachenpas
or Lachungpas, meaning inhabitants of Lachen (Tibetan: “big pass") or
Lachung (Tibetan: "small pass") respectively.
Bhutia aristocrats were called Kazis after similar landlord
titles in neighbouring regions, especially in modern-day Bangladesh. This
feudal system was an integral part of the Chogyal monarchy prior to 1975, when
Sikkim was an independent monarchy; the ruling dynasty of the Kingdom of Sikkim
before the mid-1970s plebiscite was the Bhutia Namgyal dynasty. Among the
Bhutias, the Lachenpas and Lachungpas have their own traditional legal system
called the "Dzumsa" which means the meeting place of the people.
The Dzumsa is headed by the village headman known as the Pipon. People
of North Sikkim have been given full protection by the state government by
deeming a status of Panchayat ward and the Pipon, a status of Panchayat head.
The Bhutias are
originally belongs to the Tibetan origin. After the 15th century, these people
migrated to Sikkim. Mainly they are settled on the northern part of Sikkim, are
known as the Lachenpas and Lachungpas. The Bhutias speak 'Sikkimese' language,
dialect of the Tibetan language. If compared with the Lepchas, the Bhutias are
dominating large number of villages.
Lifestyle of Bhutias:
A Bhutia house
called "Khin" is usually of rectangular shape. The traditional dress
of the male member is known as the "Bakhu" which is a loose cloak
type garment with full sleeves. The ladies dress consists of a silken
"Honju" which is a full sleeve blouse and a loose gown type garment.
The ladies are very fond of heavy jewellery made of pure gold. Sikkim has its
religion incorporated with Bhutias. Constituting around 16% of the total
population of Sikkim, Bhutias regard priesthood as their academic as well as
spiritual choice. The marriage in a Bhutia family is also arranged through
negotiations. Before the marriage, the boy's uncle goes to the girl's house
with gifts to ask for the hand in marriage for his nephew.
Bhutias usually
take rice with animal fat fried vegetables or meat. The other foods are “Momo”
(steamed samosa with meat inside) and Thukpa (Noodles). “Zhero” and “Khabzay” are
beautiful salty tusks prepared from flour during the festivals like
Losar/Loosong.
Folk Dances of the Bhutias:
Bhutias folk dances are included
Singhi
Chaam Dance-
Singhi Chaam is a
dance form in Sikkim whereby the dancers perform in a lion costume that
represents the snow lion. It is a dance of the Bhutia people, and was said to
have been introduced by Chador Namgyal, the third Chogyal of Sikkim, in the
18th century. It is usually performed during the Panglapsool festival.
In this dance, there
may be two to four snow lions, each snow lion consists of two men in a lion
costume, which is white with a bluish mane. The dance is accompanied by a
single drummer. It has religious association as the peaks of Kangchenjunga
(Khang-Chen Dzong Pa), which is sacred to the people of Sikkim, are believed to
resemble the legendary snow lion.
Kanchenjunga which is the third highest peak in the world forms an
almost natural boundary and it is considered to be a holy symbol for the folks
of Sikkim. They believe this to be their protector and hence worship it – Guru
Padamsambhava also emphasized this to the folks and the tribal there perform
this dance in honour of the Kanchenjunga
Yak Chaam Dance-
In the Yak Chaam dance, honour to the Yak, an important animal in
Sikkim, is offered. The folk dance of Sikkim by the Bhutias also represent the relationship
between the herdsman and the Yak. The dancers perform wearing a large Yak-shaped costume and depict war dance or love scenes, and also engage in mock fights and celebratory gigs.
Denzong Gnenha Dance and Tashi Yangku Dance-
Denzong Gnenha is another popular dance form of the Bhutias that
depicts their astute faith in their gods and gurus along with the peaceful and
joyous nature of the community. Bhutias invoke good fortune and prosperity to both
themselves and their land by performing the Tashi Yangku dance. Nepalis of
Sikkim are the Nepali refugees of the land who have the following dances.
3. Nepalis:
The Nepalese
appeared on the Sikkim after the Lepchas & Bhutias. They migrated in large
numbers and soon became the dominant community. In the present day, the
Nepalese constitute 70% of the total population of Sikkim. They introduce
commenced terrace farming in the state. Cardamom is an important cash crop that
was cultivated by the Nepalese. Except for the Sherpas & Tamangs who are
Buddhists, the Nepalis' are orthodox Hindus with the usual cast system and
tribes like Bawans (Brahmans), Chhetries, Gurungs, Tamangs, Rais, Limbus,
Magars, Damais, Kamis etc.
These people
speak language that is similar to Hindi and is understood throughout the state
of Sikkim.
Folk Dances of the Nepalis:
Nepalis folk dance forms are different types, which are described below-
Khukuri
Naach-
As the very name implies, Khukuri is a symbol of bravery. Thus, a
warrior dance that Khukuri Naach is, it is performed to give a religious touch
to the sending off of the soldiers going to the battle. These warriors are also
given a Khukuri to be carried with them as it signifies victory.
Maruni Dance-
Maruni dance is the oldest and most popular one of the
Nepalis. Though associated with the Tihar festival, it has now come to be
performed on family occasions like marriages. Commemorating the victory of good
over evil, the dancers in this dance are dressed in colourful costumes and
magnificent ornaments. Accompanied by “Dhatu Waray” or a clown, the dancers
visit the nearby houses. A nine-instrument orchestra known as “Naumati Baja”
also accompanies them at times.
Chutkey Naach-
Chutkey Naach is another very popular folk form of the
Nepalis. Young boys and girls usually perform this dance in the open-air during
harvest, local fairs and festivals.
Comments
Post a Comment