LACHUNGPA MARRIAGE CEREMONY,at lachung North Sikkim, Fully traditional vibe

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The valleys of Lachen and Lachung lie on the southern slopes of the western half of the eastern Himalayas. Lachen valley, meaning ‘big pass’ has an area of 3635.75 hectares and is located on the right bank of the Lachen Chu1 at 2,700 meters above sea level. Lachung, meaning ‘little pass’, is located on the east bank of the Lachung Chu and stands at 2,745 meters above sea level, having an area of 2815.52 hectares. These valleys now fall under Chungthang administrative division of the North District of Sikkim. Both Lachenpas and Lachungpas speak a version of Tibeto-Burman language, closely related to the Tibetan dialect spoken in Ha Valley of western Bhutan. Now, after contact with the outside world and with education, they speak Nepali (lingua franca of Sikkim), Hindi and English.
A system of self-governance was established for these communities during the early part of the nineteenth century since they were too far removed from central authorities to follow rules applicable to other regions of Sikkim.
While on a tour, J.C. White, the first political officer of Sikkim observed:
“The two villages of Lamteng in the Lachen, and Lachung in the Lachung valley, have an unusual and almost communistic government of their own. On every occasion the whole population meets at a Panchayat, or council, where they sit in a ring in consultation…The consequence is everything is done deliberately…but the system seems to suit the people and I allowed it to be continued with some modification.” (White, pp. 79).
Farmlands of Lachung
Initially the Pipon (head of the council) was appointed by the Chogyal from among the most suitable candidates. Some of the criteria for choosing the Pipon are: he must be a member of the local administration called Dzumsa (meaning ‘meeting place’); be a land revenue payee and possess wealth; be a male, preferably the head of a family, and should be intelligent. The Pipons were authorized to administer their villages. Dorji Samdup was the first Pipon appointed by the Chogyal in Lachen.
Lachen Pipon among people during annual Cham
Since the Dzumsa had a very small membership anyone who wished to join was welcome. The membership grew from sixty in 1936 to 176 in 2003. In 1990, new measures were taken to limit the rapid growth of membership. Now, only Lachenpas and Lachungpas by birth can join the Dzumsa, and the general village council only accepts two new members a year. All male heads of the family are legitimate members while a widow can also become a member if her son is a minor. He replaces his mother once he attains adulthood.
On 12 November 2001, the state government issued a Gazette Extraordinary No 409 that stipulated that the ‘existing system of traditional institutions of Dzumsas practised in the two villages of Lachen and Lachung in North district of state shall continue to exist in accordance with the traditional and customary laws of the Dzumsas. Notwithstanding other provisions of the Sikkim Panchayat Act, the traditional institutions of the Dzumsas existing in the villages of Lachen and Lachung shall exercise the powers and functions provided under the Act in addition to the powers and functions exercised by them under the existing traditional customary law.’ The Pipons are now elected. All adults in the village are members of the Dzumsa and are allowed to participate in the selection process of office bearers-two Pipons, six Gembos, two Tsipos and two Gyapons. The elections are open and transparent.
Lachen in winter
The candidates stand at their appointed places and the voters gather around their chosen candidate and head counts are taken. Whoever has the larger number of votes is appointed the Pipon and the one with the lower head count is deemed assistant Pipon. All office-bearers are elected directly by the villagers, or as in the case of the Gyapons, in consultation with the council members. The Pipon is the highest official in the hierarchy and he is assisted by the Gyapons to perform various duties, such as convening meetings, and they also act as constables to the Pipon.
Lachung Pipon
Lachung Pipon
The Dzumsa is responsible for running the day-to-day affairs of the village. These include maintenance of local law and order, dispensation of justice, collection of taxes, organization of social functions and distribution of funds related to governmental schemes.
The life of the Dzumsa revolves around the Mang Khim where all the meetings, hearings, disputes, marriages, feasts and decisions about religious festivals are held. In the meetings, seasonal migration to higher pastures, harvesting, grazing and distribution of government assistance are discussed. Here, tenders for development projects are also held.