Lachenpas and Lachungpas have their own traditional
legal system called “Dzumsa” (meaning meeting place of the people)
headed by “Pipon” (Village headman). Even with the abolishing of
Mondal Systems (A system where village headman called Mondal
collects revenue from public and submits to government and also
settles minor disputes) in other parts of Sikkim and coming up of
Panchayeti system, the Dzumsa of North Sikkim has been given full
protection by the government by deeming a status of Panchayet ward
and the Pipon, a status of Panchayet. The Bhutia aristocrats are
called Kazis and they were the part of Chogyal government before
1975 when Sikkim state was an independent Kingdom.
The Bhutia traditional dress called “Bakhu” which is a loose cloak
type garment that is fastened at the neck on one side and near the
waist with a cotton belt. Male members put ‘Bakhu’ with a loose
trouser. The ladies use ‘Bakhu with a silken full sleeve blouse
called “Honju” a loose gown type garment fastened near the waist
tightly with a belt. In the front portion they tie a loose sheet
of multi coloured woolen cloth made of special design. This is
called “Pangdin” and is a symbol of a married woman. The ladies are very
fond of heavy jewelry made of pure gold.
Bhutias usually take rice with animal fat fried vegetables or
meat. The other foods are “Momo”(steamed samosa with meat inside)
and Thukpa (Noodles). “Zhero” and “Khabzay” are beautiful salty
tusks prepared from flour during the festivals like Losar/Loosong.
The Bhutia
Bhutias are the people of Tibetan origin. They migrated to Sikkim perhaps somewhere after the fifteenth century. In Northern Sikkim, where they are the major inhabitants, they are known as the Lachenpas and Lachungpas. The Bhutia Language spoken by the Sikkimes Bhutias is a dialect of the Tibetan language. Their villages are as large as those compared to those of Lepchas. A Bhutia house called "Khin" is usually of rectangular shape.
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