The Sikkimese celebrate all major Hindu festivals such as Diwali and Dussera. Nepali festivals like Tihar and Bhimsen Puja are common. Losar, Loosong, Saga Dawa, Lhabab Duechen, Drupka Teshi and Bhumchu are Buddhist festivals.
During the Losar (Tibetan New Year) most offices and educational institutions are closed for a week. Muslims celebrate Id-ul-fitr and Muharram. Christmas has also been promoted in Gangtok to attract tourists during the off-season. A favorite form of social celebration is the drinking of Shay-Chang (millet beer). Served in tall bamboo mugs, the drink is sipped through a bamboo pipe. It is made from millet grains and is non-toxic. It is reputed to be the best remedy to ward off the severe colds in the mountains and is known for its healing properties.
Lepcha Festivals:
Namsoong or Losoong : One of the major festivals of Lepcha is Namsoong or popularly called as Lossong which marks the beginning of the New Year. It is the farmers New Year, as this is usually the time when the farmers rejoice and celebrate their harvest. Loosong is celebrated privately among family members and friends and there is an air of festivity all around.
Pang Lhabso: Lepchas celebrate Pang Lhabsol to worship Mount Khangchendzonga as the guardian deity.The combination of the masked dance and the warrior dance, is one of the famous acts during the festival. A week before the dances, the Lamas of Pemayangtse monastery offer prayers, invoking Dzonga (as Mount Khangchendzonga is popularly called) to protect the land and look after the people. This festival is held on the 15th day of the 7th month of the Tibetan calendar, corresponding to late August and early September. This festival is born out of the belief of the original faith, Bon, but now also has been included in Sikkimese Buddhism.
Sikkimese food varies as per community. 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 delicacy of bamboo shoots is the Lepchas offering to world cuisine.
The Nepali folk dances and song related to cultivating and harvesting seasons add another dimension to the lush heritage of Sikkim. One such popular dance is 'Dhan Naach' , which projects the colorful cultural heritage of this community. 'Maruni' is one of the oldest dances in which young girls adorned with colorful costumes and rich ornaments perform dance with a graceful demeanor and a lyrical style on festive occasions.
