Irrespective of the tribe, class or community they belong to, Sikkimese are essentially simple folks. Like most hill-tribes they are untouched by consumerism and know how to live in harmony despite being from different communities. Sikkim is India's least populous state with the one of highest per capita income in the country. It is also one of the least densely populated states with only 76 persons per square kilometer. The people of Sikkim can be classified mainly as Lepchas, Bhutias, Nepalese and the others (Biharis, Jains, Marwaris etc.).
The Lepchas are the original inhabitants of Sikkim; they existed much before Bhutias and Nepalese. Before adopting Christianity and Buddhism, Lepchas were said to believe in the bone faith or the mune faith. This faith was based on spirits, good or bad. They worshiped spirits of the rivers, the mountains and the forests - natural for a tribe that co-existed so harmoniously with their rich natural surroundings. Their close link with nature had led them to possess a tremendous and unparalleled vocabulary. They have names and terms for every fern, bush, moss and mushroom. Lepchas are concentrated mainly in central part of Sikkim.
Nepalese came to Sikkim much after the Lepchas & Bhutias, around the 19th century. They migrated in large numbers and soon became the dominant community. The Nepalese now constitute more than 80% of the total population. The Nepali settlers introduced the terraced system of cultivation. Cardamom was an important cash crop introduced by the Nepalese. They are orthodox Hindus complete with the usual caste system.
The Bhutias are of Tibetian origin and came to Sikkim perhaps somewhere around the 15th century. Their major population is in North Sikkim, they are also known as Lachenpas and Lachungpas. They speak Sikkimese and stay in villages as big as the Lepchas. The dry land of North Sikkim is very harsh where the villages and the valleys are separated by hostile passes. They are mainly nomadic shepherds engaged in animal husbandry or trade.
Though dotted by Buddhist monasteries all over, Hinduism is the major religion in the state, followed by Buddhism. Sikkim has 75 monasteries, the oldest dating back to the 1700s. The Christians are mostly Lepcha people who were converted by British missionaries since the late 19th century. Among other minorities are Muslims of Bihari ethnicity and Jains. There has never been any communal violence in Sikkim unlike other Indian states.
