Namsoong, the Lepcha New Year
December, around the start of the Lepcha month of Kurnyit
Namsoong marks the Lepcha New Year and the end of the harvest. Lepcha tradition links it to the defeat of a demon, Laso Mung, and the return of light. Families clean their homes, prepare food and chi, the millet beer, and gather for rituals and celebrations.
In Dzongu it is a community and family occasion. Larger public celebrations with stalls, dances and songs are usually held in Gangtok and in Kalimpong. If you stay in a Dzongu homestay around Namsoong, your hosts may share the festival with you.
December is dry, cool and clear in Dzongu, so it is a good time for a village stay. Ask your host about exact dates, which follow the Lepcha calendar.
How to do it well
- Ask your homestay host about dates a few weeks ahead.
- Accept or politely decline chi; no one will mind either way.
- Wear modest, warm clothes for evening gatherings.
- Ask before photographing rituals or people in traditional dress.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
When is Namsoong celebrated?
Namsoong falls in December, at the start of the Lepcha month of Kurnyit, and celebrations can run for several days, sometimes into early January in public events. The exact dates follow the Lepcha calendar. Ask your Dzongu host or check Gangtok event listings.
Where can I see Namsoong?
The largest public celebrations are usually in Gangtok and Kalimpong, with dances, songs and food stalls. In Dzongu it is mostly a family and village event. Staying with a Lepcha homestay is the best way to see how families celebrate.
What is the story behind Namsoong?
Lepcha tradition tells of a demon king, Laso Mung, who brought darkness and suffering until he was defeated, and Namsoong celebrates that victory and the new year. Your hosts may tell the story in their own version. The festival also marks the end of the harvest and a time for families to gather.
Is December a good time to visit Dzongu?
Yes. Dzongu sits low enough to stay pleasant in December, with cool, clear days and cold nights. It is dry, leech-free and good for walking. You can pair it with a snowy night or two in Lachung. Pack warm layers for the evenings, as homestays are rarely heated.