The ethos of traditional craftsmanship as cultural heritage of Lepcha tribe of Darjeeling Himalaya in maintaining environmental sustainability

Lepchas are the indigenous people of the Eastern Himalaya concentrated in the areas of Sikkim, West Bengal, Nepal and Bhutan. They are called Rong or Mutanchi Rongkup means ‘children of God’. Though Lepchas are the original inhabitants of Sikkim Himalaya, they are also spread over the land of Darjeeling Himalaya and they believe their homeland as Nye Mayel Lyang means ‘land blessed by God’ or ‘hidden land’.  The Lepcha tribe of Darjeeling Himalaya coexists with other indigenous people but among them Lepchas boast unique cultural practices that encompass environment friendly handlooms and crafts made with bamboo, cane, fibres of different textures which are produced from various nettle species, and are also biodegradable in nature. The traditional craftsmanship of the Lepchas is based on nettle fibres, cotton and bamboo from intricate weaving by womenfolk on backstrap looms to distinctive bamboo crafts and items done by skilled men. Bamboos are used from large constructions to small artistic works like basketry, headgears, musical instruments, utility items to traditional symbolic hats, Sumok-thyaktuk. Nettle and cotton fibres made from vegetable dyes are used in backstrap looms for weaving traditional attires.

In recent times the traditional usage of handlooms and crafts are declining due to threats of survival of such nature based cultural practices. The generational wisdom of eco-centric knowledge is not transferred to the younger generation as they are mostly adapting modern ways of living. The other reasons are lack of documentation of Lepcha practices in Lepcha language and migration of other communities to this land leading to shifting to different alternative livelihoods. Based on key observations, gathering information from field study in the Kalimpong region of Darjeeling Himalaya and from archival research it is known that cultural heritage like traditional craftsmanship of Lepchas is declining in the form of cultural erosion. Lepchas has a rich tradition of using nature based local resources, technology to shape their art, craft and antiquity which are also their source of livelihood.  The objective of the study therefore lies to understand the importance of traditional crafts and handlooms of Lepchas as cultural heritage stating their need for a sustainable Himalayan Mountain environment. The study also aims to analyse the government’s role with the help of local people to initiate marketing strategies by introducing these eco-friendly products in global markets using Lepcha craftsmanship. Furthermore, the study attempts to explore how these cultural norms and environmental adaptability can both be revived and protected with the collaborative community-based capacity building programmes, documentation of shared knowledge from older to younger generation, through cultural exchange programmes, trade fairs and exhibitions to the newer global audiences.

The integration of cultural preservation methods, environment conscious marketing of products, creating artisans’ support mechanism, restoring traditional ecological knowledge will act for the benefit of such indigenous people along with maintaining environmental sustainability of this region. Safeguarding Lepcha craftsmanship as cultural heritage will not only protect this community but also boost the economy in this environmentally fragile Himalayan region in a sustainable manner.