HISTORY OF THE LEPCHAS.... High up among the clouds in the Himalayas, amidst the abode of Gods, legend says that there was a country known as Mayel. And there lived a tribe of simple folk who called themselves `Mu-Tanchi-Rong Kup`, meaning `the mothers loved ones.` The Rongs popularly known as the Lepchas live here. The word Lepcha, or Lapche means the people of vile speech and was a contemptuous appellation given to this tribe by the dominant Nepalese. Amidst the idyllic backdrop of Mount Kenchenjungha, this tribe has managed to create a perfect harmony with nature. Now many generations have passed and the place has changed radically. The once unexplored, uncharted territory inhabited by the amiable, peace-loving people has now seen the rise of an all-pervasive cosmopolitan culture. Lepcha GirlAmong the hill-settlements in Darjeeling Districts, touched by modernity, Lepchas from a negligible minority. As a community they are virtually unnoticed. They have started living in the outskirts of the towns creating small hamlets in the valleys and gorges, faced with a bleak and uncertain future. The members of the community who belong to the urban milieu have almost lost their Lepcha identity. The process of development imposed by the colonial rulers had reduced the tribe to a state of subordination. The original inhabitants of the land were subjected to a forced homogenization that broke their tribal spirit. The emergence of the so-called modernization also dislocated the people economically and socially. Lepcha BoysWay-back in history things were not the same. The Lepchas believe that they are the true indigenous people of Sikkim and Darjeeling, a primeval race as old as the Himalayas. These deserted, old Lepcha Buddhist monasteries in Kalimpong speak a lot about this race and its remarkable history. A peace loving people, the Lepchas were free and independent aboriginal inhabitants of the place. They were the true friends of these rivers, forests and the hills, possessing an extensive zoological and botanical nomenclature of their own. These people used to live an isolated life protected by the forests and the mountains. Their society was organized on the basis of sharing and equality - a structure that we call primitive communism. They considered themselves as children of nature, blithe spirits roaming the forests and the mountains, until they were rudely shaken from their dream by this harsh present. lepcha girls gathering cow feedA number of western scholars have researched and written about the tribe, but recently the Lepchas themselves have started exploring their own origin. Among them writers like A. R. Foning and K. P. Tamsong have notable contribution. Mr Miku Foning, the youngest son of late A. R. Foning shares his experiences in the context of changing times. Like most educated and committed members of his community his faith in the rejuvenation of the tribe is rather strong. Historically, Lepchas are considered to be oblivious to personal possessions. As a community they were dependent on nature. The only possession they seemed to have was their faith in Mount Kenchenjungha as their mother. They were not keen about forming villages. But with the increase in population and various invasions they were compelled to start living in small hamlets in the valleys and forests. The times have changed, so have the Lepcha villages. The ones that still retain the original Lepcha spirit are very rare in this area. About 20 Kilometers from the Kalimpong town a small village named Menchu gives an introduction to the rural ambience of Lepcha life. Inspite of being influenced by all pervasive modernization this place still reflects the calm and docile nature of the Lepcha community. Thanka paintingMany writers, anthropologists and historians had written about the origin of these people, but none of these views are concrete. But from their appearance it seems that they are from the mongoloid stock. But finally what prevails is life itself with its powerful vibrations. Histories and myths, traditions and superstitions all blend together in an age-old way of life. The inexorable forces of time will inevitably change the face of reality. But the Mayel Lyang will still exist, in the mindscape of the people who are the true children of the mountains. Girl looking through window of a traditional lepcha houseMyths often become history; and if these myths are not exploded, they go on to be the basis of our understanding of the world, our dreams and aspirations. They set the foundations of our future and they become part of our culture. No community is exempt from this mechanism. These hills of North Bengal, the Mayel, the land of the Lepchas, is no exception to this dynamism. These incantations and fluttering flags are part of the myth that refers to the unknown, the mysterious and creates admiration and fear in people. Bongthing, the priest and Mun, the priestess are known for their healing powers. Over a period of time bongthing and mun became the profession of some in the Lepcha community. Perhaps they were the witch doctors among the Lepcha tribe. Deprived of modern medical facilities, sick people were brought to them. They may have healed many. In addition to this they were responsible for keeping out the evil spirit from the community. When there is a death in the community they have a major role to play. They become the mediators of the deceased soul to reach the world of the Gods. Thanka paintingThese practices are very rare now and very few claim to be bongthing or mun. Though a dying cult, it has gained acceptance among other neighbouring tribes such as the Nepalese and the Bhutias. We met Jermit mun of Mirik practicing inside the ruins of the fort of King Gebo Aichuk another legendary character in Lepcha history. Jermit mun performs various religious rituals, forecasts, makes predictions and also acts like a medicine woman for the Lepchas and other tribes of this area. From birth to death, the bongthing and the mun perform all the religious ceremonies and rituals for the Lepchas. They are an integral part of the Lepcha culture. The Rongfolks or the Lepchas cannot really understand the theology or the spirituality preached by the priest and the priestess; but this creates a fear in them. It is this fear that generates faith in the incantations and the incarnation. This is the reason prayer and worship become part of their life, no matter which stage they are in. They worship everything from water to butterfly, from trees to stones. In fact they seem to worship nature in general. Lepchas is a rich mine for anthropological research. There are not enough serious studies made of this tribe. Though many age-old practices have become a prey to modernism, Bothing and Mun, the two pillars of Lepcha religion are still very much alive and active. They still support keep alive many religious practices and beliefs. The practice of appeasing devils and demons, nature worship and ancestral worship are still very much part of the Lepcha way of thinking. Some are myths; some may have deep scientific reasons. It is only deep research that can differentiate the two.
Posted on: Thu, 16 Oct 2014 13:52:28 +0000