The Lepchas are counted as the oldest inhabitants of the Kalimpong hills and of Sikkim. They call themselves Rongkup, from a longer name meaning the beloved children of the Rong and of God, and the Lepchas of Kalimpong are known as the Damsangmu, after the old kingdom of Damsang. Their language and script are their own.
Lepcha belief grew up close to the forest. Each clan reveres its own sacred lake and mountain peak, and the old faith, called Mun, has its own priests and rituals for the harvest and for protection. Many Lepchas today are Buddhist or Christian, but older customs survive in festivals and in respect for the land.
Lolegaon is one of the villages where that link still shows. It sits at the end of a ridge among tall oaks and cypresses, part of which is now protected as heritage forest. The canopy walk was built so visitors could see the forest from the treetops without clearing it.
Ask your homestay host about the Lepcha names of the hills, rivers and plants around the village. Many families still use them, and they often say more about the place than any signboard.
Sources
- Lepcha people (Wikipedia)
- Loleygaon (Wikipedia)
- Told locally in Lolegaon
Legends are retold differently from village to village. Where a story is told locally rather than written down, we say so.
