Shital Pradhan, Singtam
Legends are part of the developmental evolution of the human race and cannot be singled out as simply being imaginary. These legends had been the basis of many future findings that were once tales woven into the narration of reality and folklore. We belong to the land of Lepchas, which are termed primitive tribes. Yet, we cannot confront ourselves because we lack evidence to speak our minds. We believe in age-old ethnicity and the words of scholars. Still, the absolute truth remains the fact that our future generations need to be explained the mystic forces of time immemorial that built up our Sikkim, from the days of the so-called earliest life in a Lepcha tribe to the three-century-old Namgyal Dynasty and further towards the making of the Sikkim that we live in today. From the tiny Himalayan Kingdom to the 22nd state in the mighty Indian Union, the stamp-sized state of Sikkim has witnessed many major transformations.
Much like folklore, the history of early Sikkim is divided between the facts and the uncertainty. Let's speak about how Bhutias and Nepalese followed to Sikkim, where the Lepcha tribe had already been dwelling. Later on, people from different states of India entered our land and made it their home. However, this fact could only be improved over time if proper documentation is provided. Who knows, in years to come, our great-great-grandchildren might have an academic lesson that it was the tribal people from the adjoining states of India that set up the Himalayan land of Sikkim that was followed by the Lepchas, Bhutias, and Nepalese from another part of the neighboring countries. Sikkim is mysterious and very rich in legends, yet we have never presented ourselves in scientific ways. We never tried to collect the exact data of those numerous folklore that had been part of every man's life for ages.
Defining the exact time epoch of certain incidents, including those of pottery pieces found around the fields of Daramdin and stories of the Great Flood at Mt. Tendong, could put the state of Sikkim on the world map in a different dimension. Once going through an article published by Sonam Tshering Lepcha, a man behind the famous Lepcha museum in Kalimpong, in a local newspaper from Gangtok, it was mentioned that the people collecting intact pots that were quite different from those collected by Sonam Lepcha himself unearthed from the sites of the legendary ladder story belonged to specific communities graveyard. Sounds interesting, yet there is less possibility that the climate of Sikkim suits any type of mud used in making pottery, and it is really a matter of discovery how those people established the tower of pots!
Defining the exact time epoch of certain incidents, including those of pottery pieces found around the fields of Daramdin and stories of the Great Flood at Mt. Tendong, could put the state of Sikkim on the world map in a different dimension. Once going through an article published by Sonam Tshering Lepcha, a man behind the famous Lepcha museum in Kalimpong, in a local newspaper from Gangtok, it was mentioned that the people collecting intact pots that were quite different from those collected by Sonam Lepcha himself unearthed from the sites of the legendary ladder story belonged to specific communities graveyard. Sounds interesting, yet there is less possibility that the climate of Sikkim suits any type of mud used in making pottery, and it is really a matter of discovery how those people established the tower of pots!
Myths of man-like animal Yeti heard on numerous accounts along the Himalayan range of North Sikkim could be the missing link between the early man and us. We can help understand the evolution of mankind, its society, and its ways of living. The footprints found at Chungthang have developed a sort of controversy over the two scholarly men of the bygone centuries. There are mixed believers that those foot impressions belong to either Guru Rimpoche or Guru Nanak! These are just a few outlines from the strings of legend associated with our Sikkim.
With every passing day, those folklore are being endangered, and we must preserve it. In the end, we might never understand these unsolved mysteries, the very treasures our ancestors had been discussing over the years. To organize ourselves, understand those numerous unsolved mysteries, and preserve the ancient cultural heritage of the state, there is a need for a forum in Sikkim, more or less a Sikkim Study Forum.
Without denying, the fact remains that the majority of younger generations in Sikkim lack knowledge of its prime history. The mere collection of names, as in TNSSS, TNA, PNGSSS, and STNM, are the only things they know about the glorious days of Sikkim as a small Himalayan kingdom. The other reason for such ignorance could be that the lessons on Sikkim history are never part of academic curricula in higher studies. Many states in India have their self examination board set up, are we not prepared for Sikkim State Board? It is very strange to find out that most of the popular books available about Sikkim are written by non-local writers.
With every passing day, those folklore are being endangered, and we must preserve it. In the end, we might never understand these unsolved mysteries, the very treasures our ancestors had been discussing over the years. To organize ourselves, understand those numerous unsolved mysteries, and preserve the ancient cultural heritage of the state, there is a need for a forum in Sikkim, more or less a Sikkim Study Forum.
Without denying, the fact remains that the majority of younger generations in Sikkim lack knowledge of its prime history. The mere collection of names, as in TNSSS, TNA, PNGSSS, and STNM, are the only things they know about the glorious days of Sikkim as a small Himalayan kingdom. The other reason for such ignorance could be that the lessons on Sikkim history are never part of academic curricula in higher studies. Many states in India have their self examination board set up, are we not prepared for Sikkim State Board? It is very strange to find out that most of the popular books available about Sikkim are written by non-local writers.
This shows a lack of under-mounted interest among local scholars raring to find the true picture of our state. Most of the books written about the early Sikkim are referred to 1884 published H.H.Rishley's “Gazetteer of Sikhim,” say it a mother of all Sikkim-based book. The book is no doubt very neatly written and very informative, but can we put it as the final output of our history!
Very few people know that there had been two pre-historic explorations in Sikkim in the past; one in 1980 with major findings of well-polished Neolithic stone tools around the Dzongu area and the other one off lately in 2003 that had the state stunned when similar Neolithic tools were unearthed from Sajyong near Rumtek dated back to 8000 BC. It developed a curiosity about whether the land of Sikkim was a dwelling place of early men, much against the period we were supposed to live in. Another out-of-the-ordinary finding from Sajyong was a fossilized antelope horn that was 1,50,000 years old. But after that, what happened with those tools is little known. Those tools were the valued assets of the Government of Sikkim, and they should be brought back to where they belong. How often do we find in the news that such tools are dug out? But are we really concerned about it?
CM’s European tour a couple of years back had some aspiring expectations about certain historical documents signed by the Chogyals of Sikkim lying in museums of England, most specifically. In the near future, it is expected those legendary papers that are more or less a matter of myth among the people of Sikkim will return to their native land, but where will they be kept? Sikkim needs a museum; a long discussion on converting the heritage White Hall into a museum is still a talking point. Individuals in a few places have developed personal self-made museums, but when should the state have its own museum?
The answers to all the interrelated queries are centered around the formation of the Sikkim Study Forum. This Forum could be the platform that might provide an opportunity to any scholars interested in performing research on different subjects of Sikkim as well as preserving the momentous legacy of this mystic land. Finally, are we not interested to know what happened to the names of Suhim, Sukhim, and Sikhism?
Very few people know that there had been two pre-historic explorations in Sikkim in the past; one in 1980 with major findings of well-polished Neolithic stone tools around the Dzongu area and the other one off lately in 2003 that had the state stunned when similar Neolithic tools were unearthed from Sajyong near Rumtek dated back to 8000 BC. It developed a curiosity about whether the land of Sikkim was a dwelling place of early men, much against the period we were supposed to live in. Another out-of-the-ordinary finding from Sajyong was a fossilized antelope horn that was 1,50,000 years old. But after that, what happened with those tools is little known. Those tools were the valued assets of the Government of Sikkim, and they should be brought back to where they belong. How often do we find in the news that such tools are dug out? But are we really concerned about it?
CM’s European tour a couple of years back had some aspiring expectations about certain historical documents signed by the Chogyals of Sikkim lying in museums of England, most specifically. In the near future, it is expected those legendary papers that are more or less a matter of myth among the people of Sikkim will return to their native land, but where will they be kept? Sikkim needs a museum; a long discussion on converting the heritage White Hall into a museum is still a talking point. Individuals in a few places have developed personal self-made museums, but when should the state have its own museum?
The answers to all the interrelated queries are centered around the formation of the Sikkim Study Forum. This Forum could be the platform that might provide an opportunity to any scholars interested in performing research on different subjects of Sikkim as well as preserving the momentous legacy of this mystic land. Finally, are we not interested to know what happened to the names of Suhim, Sukhim, and Sikhism?
Yes, its true that we need to understand and record the historical importance of the state. Someone in Sikkim Online forum also commented that its surprising that we do not have a state museum.
ReplyDeleteDo you remember sometime ago - we had a historical display in White Hall? Throngs of people lined up to see rare, old black & white photographs which most had never before seen in their lifetime.
Sikkim study forum definitely needs to be started, all right.
Alternatively, a subject on Sikkim's history could also be included in the syllabus of schools. That could address the younger generation's lack of awareness.
I too believe there should be something on a sort of Sikkim Study Forum if not the name itself. The biggest irony is that..i came to know later i had published this article that there used to be a forum initiated by Hope Cooke, queen of Sikkim in 70s with the same name so, there might be a problem (?) for other to have that name. But still we need a forum..of any sort.
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