Culture of Sikkim

Sikkim has a rich culture owing to its assorted populations. Sikkim has congregated all the good things from all the cultures and furnished a very rich and ethnic culture of its own. The Sikkimese can be broadly classified into the Lephcas, the Bhutias, the Nepalese and the plainsmen (mostly businessmen from elsewhere in India). Communities, cultures, religions and Customs of different hues intermingle freely here in Sikkim to constitute a homogeneous blend. However, before one goes into the ethnic composition of Sikkim, it needs to be said that the Sikkimese, irrespective of the tribe, class or community they belong to, are essentially simple folk. Like most hilly tribes, the Sikkimese are thus far relatively untouched by consumerism. Clichéd though it may sound, the Sikkimese truly exemplify how different communities can exemplify how different communities can coexist in peace and mutual

Hindu temples co- exist with Buddhist monasteries and there are even a few Christian churches, Muslim mosques and Sikh "Gurdwara". Although the Buddhists with monasteries all over the state are the most conspicuous religious group, they are in fact a minority constituting only 28% of the population. The majority, 68% profess Hinduism. The predominant communities are the Lepchas, Bhutias and the Nepalis. In urban areas many plainsmen- Marwaris, Biharis, Bengalis, South Indians, and Punjabis have also settled and they are mostly engaged in business and government service.

The Sikkimese culture finds expression in it's beautiful arts and crafts. Knotted woollen carpets with the dominating dragon emblem, and eight auspicious signs; wood carvings, Lepcha handlooms in traditional designs and rich colours for clothes, bags, linen and accessories; leather jackets and handbags, articles of homemade paper, Thanka (religious scroll paintings) and Sikkimese Dragon Jewellery make a fascinating collection of handicrafts, inspired by an age old culture. Carry back a momento of your holiday - be it an intricately carved piece of furniture (choktse), a highly embellished carpet or an artifact of woven bamboo. The state's cultural life is related to Tibetan religious and aesthetic traditions. The cultural climax of the year comes with the 2-day Phanglhapsol festival, when masked dances are performed in honour of Kanchenjunga, presiding deity and the mountain. The Namgyal Institute of Tibetology has one of the largest collection of Tibetan books in the world. Many Buddhist monasteries are repositories of artistic treasures, including wall paintings, tankas (religious paintings mounted on brocade), and bronze images.

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