Culture and history · Charkhole
Lepcha stories by a homestay fire
Ask your Lepcha hosts about their language, their festivals and the old stories of Kanchenjunga and the Teesta. An evening of conversation is the best way into the culture of the oldest people of these hills.
The Lepcha, who call themselves Rong, are the oldest known people of the Kalimpong and Sikkim hills, with their own language and script. In their tradition Kanchenjunga is a guardian, and rivers, forests and mountains have spirits that must be respected. Charkhole's homestays are run by Lepcha families, and the long cold evenings are a natural time to talk.
Ask about Namsoong, the Lepcha New Year in December or January, and about the 20 December gathering at Damsang fort near Pedong for the Lepcha hero Gaeboo Achyok. Ask about the Lepcha story of the Teesta and the Rangeet, two lovers who raced to meet, guided by a snake and a bird; it is folklore, and families tell it in their own ways.
Listen more than you ask, and do not press for rituals or private matters. Some families may show you traditional dress, cane and bamboo work or old household objects. A small gift from your home town, or buying local produce, is a better thank-you than money.
Cost: Included with homestay
Questions people ask
Good to know
Who are the Lepchas?
The Lepcha, or Rong, are the oldest known inhabitants of Sikkim and the Darjeeling and Kalimpong hills. They have their own language and script, a close relationship with the forest, and traditions in which Kanchenjunga is a guardian. Their villages around Kalimpong include Lolegaon and Charkhole.
Do Lepcha families in Charkhole speak Hindi or English?
Most speak Nepali and Hindi, and younger family members often speak some English. Lepcha is spoken at home in many families. Learning a greeting in Nepali or asking your hosts to teach you a Lepcha word is a good way to start a conversation.
Is it respectful to ask about Lepcha rituals?
It is fine to show interest, but let your hosts decide what to share. Ask open questions, do not insist on seeing rituals, and always ask before photographing people, shrines or ceremonies. If invited to a festival, follow your hosts' lead on dress and behaviour.
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