|  Nepali
Community
The Nepalese are the major community in Sikkim
- Darjeeling region. They started to migrate in Sikkim long
after the Bhutia settlement. The Nepali community is composed
of different sub-cultural stocks with considerable differences
in physical characteristic and customs. Each tribe is sub-divided
into many classes. The most important of these tribes are: Limbu,
Gurung, Magar, Rai, Tamang, Mewar etc.
Of the caste Hindus, there are the Brahmins,
Thakurs, Chettris etc. Among the low caste tradesman there are
the Sarki, Kami,Damai etc. The Nepalese are spread throughout
the east, south and west of Sikkim. They are mostly Hindus but
some of them are Buddhists. They have terraced fields and also
work on building roads. They are also good at trade and own
many shops in the main Bazaar at Gangtok.
They also work as Silversmiths.
 The
immigration of the Nepalese and their rapid expansion has created
a serious problem for the original inhabitants - the Lepchas
and the Bhutias. The Nepalese are not only multiplying more
rapidly in numbers but are also ahead in education which enables
them to get jobs in government. While the Lepchas
and Bhutias still prefer the traditional
education in the monasteries, the Nepalese send their children
to schools. The Lepchas and Bhutias are averse to cultivate
waste lands. Nepalese plant maize which grows in abundance and
is their staple food. The Nepalese children work from the age
of five and when they are ten years of age are able to earn
more than they consume.
Their style of living is comparatively much
economical. Their dress and diet are simple. They do not spend
much money on marriage and festival. On the other hand, the
Lepchas and Bhutias take rice with meat, if possible. Their
dress is expensive. Above all, they have to support the monks,
according to the religious custom, make occasional offerings,
either in kind or cash to the 'gompa' and then pay a high fee
to the priests for the various services rendered by them.
 The
Limbu
Limbu is a branch of the Kirati tribe. They have a tradition
of inter marriage with other tribes particularly with the Lepchas
and in certain respects their habits are similar to those of
the Lepchas. They have also matrimonial relation with the Rai
or Khambas. The Limbus call themselves Yakthamba. One of the
branches came via Lhasa and is called the Lhasa gotra, while
the other branch which came from Benaras is called the Kashi
gotra. The Limbu have their own priests, they are known as 'Phedangba'.
They conduct the religious ceremonies, and also deals in omen
and forecasts. They have their own language, called the Limbu
Kura. Limbu marriage is often conducted without the consent
of the parents.
 The
Rai
The Rai or Khambas much in common with the Limbus. By religion
they are Hindu. Men of their own, tribe called the 'home' serve
as their priest. But now-a-days, Brahmins are engaged to conduct
rituals. They also engage Bijuwas or occasionally a Phedangba
or a Jhankri too ward off evil spirits. Their marriage customs
do not differ much from those of other Kirati tribes. The Rai
people have a dialect of their own. They have artistic talents.
They are mainly agriculturists.
The Magar
The Magars are another important tribe whose customs and religious
ceremonies closely conform to those of the Hindus. They have
a language of their own, known as Magar Kura which is of Tibeto-Burmese
group. There are seven classes of Magar who are all socially
equal. They are Ale, Burathoki, Gharti, Pun, Rana, Roka and
Thapa. Thapa is the largest class of the Magar. Inter marriage
is permissible among the classes.
 The
Gurang
The Gurang are basically agriculturists. They are of Mongolian
origin and they profess Hinduism. But in the early period they
were, in fact, fond of using the services of the Lama instead
of Brahmins for all priestly function. Now-a-days, they have
a different tendency and engage Brahmins also. This tribe is
divided into two branches, the Char Jat and Sora Jat. But the
distinction is now disappearing. Marriage between the two branches
is now common. The Gurungs have their own languages which is
called the Gurung Kura. The Gurungs in the urban areas now generally
follow Hindu rituals.
 The
Tamang
The Tamangs claim their origin from four families, viz. Bal,
Yonjon, Moktan, Ghising. Their two main divisions are Bara Tamang
and Atharajat. Bara Tamang is socially superior. Tamangs have
a similarity with the Gurangs. Their language is similar to
Gurang Kura. By religion the Tamangs are Lamaist Buddhists.
The Mewar
The Mewar are originally agriculturists and masons. But in Sikkim
many of them have taken to trade. The Mewars of Sikkim are mostly
Hindus.
Gurkhas
Of the Gurkhas who settled in Sikkim, the Brahmins
have the highest social standing. They are mainly agriculturists
and are mostly orthodox Hindus and would not normally have any
matrimonial relations with other lower castes. But with the
passage of time, rigidity of social attitude and behaviour is
fast disappearing. In the urban areas Brahmins are found marrying
non-Brahmins, taking up a variety of professions other than
priest hood and mixing freely with others.
 Thakurs
Next in social rank are the Thakurs. A Thakur is also entitled
to wear sacred thread. Inter-marriage among certain class of
Thakurs is permissible while marriage with members of other
classes is restricted.
Chettris
The Chettris are next in rank. They also wear sacred thread
and have Brahmanical prejudices. Though inter-marriage is common,
they prefer marriage only among their own class.
Inter-marriage among these higher castes is
not uncommon. Traditionally a Gurkha can possess any number
of wives. A wife taken through formal ceremonial marriage is
called a 'Behaite 'while others are called 'Lihaites'. But this
practice is now on the wane. Divorce is permissible. Both man
and wife can refer any plea for divorce to the village elders
who decide it.
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