Indigenous peoples of Sikkim

However, many tribes preceded the migration of the colonial powers and can trace their migratory background as well as ancestral heritage and a well-formed history of civilization and cultural locus that is not inherently indigenous to Sikkim.

[5] The Bhutia who immigrated to Sikkim claimed descent from a common ancestor, a Khampa prince or chief named Khye-bum-sar, and were divided into fourteen main families.

[6] Nepalese tribes/castes like Mangars, Rais, Tamangs, Gurungs, Khas etc., also deserve special mention in view of the ethno-political scenario of Sikkim.

[7][8] In the 18th century the Gorkhali rulers and troops of Nepal conquered the western part of Sikkim and subsequently various other Nepali tribes settled there.

[17] Discrimination between the heterogeneous Nepalese and other groups became a pressing social issue,[16] however the government of the Chogyal in its later years strove to treat all subjects equally as citizens, and allowed democratic changes to move forward.

[19] Among Lepchas, there is a tradition of nuclear family structure and of monogamous marriage; though divorce is relatively rare, widowed persons customarily remarry.

[6] Traditionally, the Lepcha practice a religion centered on shamans called mun, who officiate ceremonies and festivals, and bóngthíng, who are healers and are often female.

[19][21] On special occasions they wear a scarf called a khada, which has become common feature in the Sikkimese society and culture even among the Nepalese of Sikkim.

[6]: 30 Most Lepcha, and Bhutia today practice local forms of Buddhism, incorporating aspects of Bön religion and animism, in contrast to the Hindu Nepalese majority.

[6] Followers of Buddhism in Sikkim are largely either Kagyudpa or Nyingma, though a small section of Bhutias claims to adhere to Bön in particular.