Sikkimese people - Revision history

Allen2502: small cleaned up structure for clarity and corrected details based on references

2026-01-09T21:19:25Z

small cleaned up structure for clarity and corrected details based on references

->Rachhenhang Rai at 15:07, 26 December 2021

2021-12-26T15:07:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:37, 26 December 2021
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	{{Use dmy dates\|date=~~July 2019~~}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=November 2021}}
	[[File:~~Old lady from Darap~~(~~Sikkim~~)~~.jpg~~\|~~thumb~~\|~~200px~~\|~~Old~~ Nepali ~~lady from Darap, Sikkim, India.~~]]		{{Infobox ethnic group
	'''Sikkimese''' are people who inhabit the [[India]]n state of [[Sikkim]]. The dominance ethnic diversity of Sikkim is represented by 'Lho-Mon-Tsong-Tsum' that identifies origin of three races since seventeenth century. The term 'Lho' refers to [[Bhutia]]s (Lhopo) means south who migrated from Southern Tibet, the term 'Mon' refers to [[Lepcha people\|Lepchas]] (Rong) lived in lower Eastern Himalayas and the term 'Tsong' refers to [[Limbu people\|Limbus]],<ref name="tsong">{{cite journal\|url=http://jogltep.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/JOGLTEP5.pdf\|title=The Tsongs (Limbus) Down the Ages in Sikkim\|journal=Journal of Global Literacies, Technologies, and Emerging Pedagogies\|volume=5\|issue=2\|date=1 December 2019\|author=Buddhi L. Khamdhak\|accessdate= 3 February 2021\|quote=The Sikkimi Tsongs, Limbus or Yakthungs, are the Indigenous inhabitants of Sikkim. They are also commonly called 'Tsong' by the Bhutias and Lepchas in Sikkim}}</ref> another tribe of Sikkim. Society in [[Sikkim]] is characterized by multiple ethnicity and possesses attributes of a . plural society. The present population of Sikkim is composed of different races and ethnic groups, viz., the Lepchas, the Bhutias, the Nepalese and the Plainsmen, who came and settled in different phases of history. The [[Ethnic groups in Nepal\|Nepali]] community in Sikkim is inclusive of three sub-cultural ,sectors: the [[Kirati people\|Kiratis]], the [[Newar people\|Newaris]] and the [[Gurkha\|Gorkhas]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.ir.nbu.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/1268/8/08_chapter_02.pdf\|title=Ethnic Group of Sikkim In History}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://14.139.206.50:8080/jspui/bitstream/1/3114/1/Samten%20D%20Bhutia.pdf\|title=Political Parties and ethnicity in Sikkim since1975}}</ref> <ref>{{cite ~~web~~\|url=https://books.google.~~co.in~~/books~~/about/History_Culture_and_Customs_of_Sikkim.html~~?id=iY4bVR9--XAC\|title=History Culture And Customes of Sikkim}}</ref>		\|image = Flag of Sikkim (1967-1975).svg
			\|caption = [[Flag of Sikkim\|Flag of Sikkim<br>(1967–1975)]]
			\|group = Sikkimese people
			\|population =
			\|region1 = {{flag\|India}}
			\|pop1 = 610,577
			\|region2 = [[File:Seal of Sikkim greyscale.png\|23px]][[Sikkim]]
			\|pop2 = 610,577 (2011)
			\|region3 =
			\|pop3 =
			\|region4 =
			\|pop4 =
			\|region5 =
			\|pop5 =
			\|region6 =
			\|pop6 =
			\|region7 =
			\|pop7 =
			\|region8 =
			\|pop8 =
			\|languages ={{hlist\|[[Nepali language\|Nepali]]\|[[Sikkimese language\|Sikkimese]]\|[[Lepcha language\|Lepcha]]\|[[Gurung language\|Gurung]]\|[[Limbu language\|Limbu]]\|[[Magar language\|Magar]]\|[[Sunwar language\|Mukhia]]\|[[Newari language\|Newari]]\|[[Rai languages\|Rai]]\|[[Sherpa language\|Sherpa]]\|[[Tamang language\|Tamang]]}}
			\|religions = ''<small>Majority</small>:''
			•[[Hinduism]] •[[Buddhism]]
			''<small>Minority</small>:'' •[[Christianity]] • [[Bon]] •[[Mun (religion)\|Mun]] •[[Kiratism]] •[[Animism]]
			\|related ={{hlist\|[[Tibeto-Burman languages\|Tibeto-Burman]] [[Sino-Tibetan languages\|Sino-Tibetan]] and [[Indo-Aryan languages\|Indo-Aryan]] speaking people\|}}
			}}
			'''Sikkimese''' are people who inhabit the [[India]]n state of [[Sikkim]]. The dominance ethnic diversity of Sikkim is represented by 'Lho-Mon-Tsong-Tsum' that identifies origin of three races since seventeenth century. The term 'Lho' refers to [[Bhutia]]s (Lhopo) means south who migrated from Southern Tibet, the term 'Mon' refers to [[Lepcha people\|Lepchas]] (Rong) lived in lower Eastern Himalayas and the term 'Tsong' refers to [[Limbu people\|Limbus]],<ref name="tsong">{{cite journal\|url=http://jogltep.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/JOGLTEP5.pdf\|title=The Tsongs (Limbus) Down the Ages in Sikkim\|journal=Journal of Global Literacies, Technologies, and Emerging Pedagogies\|volume=5\|issue=2\|date=1 December 2019\|author=Buddhi L. Khamdhak\|accessdate= 3 February 2021\|quote=The Sikkimi Tsongs, Limbus or Yakthungs, are the Indigenous inhabitants of Sikkim. They are also commonly called 'Tsong' by the Bhutias and Lepchas in Sikkim}}</ref> another tribe of Sikkim. Society in [[Sikkim]] is characterized by multiple ethnicity and possesses attributes of a plural society. The present population of Sikkim is composed of different races and ethnic groups, viz., the Lepchas, the Bhutias, the Nepalese and the Plainsmen, who came and settled in different phases of history. The [[Ethnic groups in Nepal\|Nepali]] community in Sikkim is inclusive of three sub-cultural ,sectors: the [[Kirati people\|Kiratis]], the [[Newar people\|Newaris]] and the [[Gurkha\|Gorkhas]].<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.ir.nbu.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/1268/8/08_chapter_02.pdf\|title=Ethnic Group of Sikkim In History}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=https://14.139.206.50:8080/jspui/bitstream/1/3114/1/Samten%20D%20Bhutia.pdf\|title=Political Parties and ethnicity in Sikkim since1975}}</ref> <ref>{{cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iY4bVR9--XAC\|title=History Culture And Customes of Sikkim\|isbn=9788121209649\|last1=Subba\|first1=J. R.\|year=2008}}</ref>

	== Tribes and Communities of Sikkim ==		== Tribes and Communities of Sikkim ==
	[[Sikkim]] is a multi-ethnic society inhabited by different ethnic communities belonging to different racial and linguistic groups. The [[Anthropological Survey of India]] has identified 21 communities in Sikkim and more than 13 different languages belonging to different linguistic stock are spoken in the state. <ref>{{cite web\|url=http://14.139.206.50:8080/jspui/bitstream/1/4203/1/Population%20of%20sikkim%20a%20geographical%20analysis.pdf\|title=Population of Sikkim:A Geographical Analysis}}</ref> {{Pie chart		[[Sikkim]] is a multi-ethnic society inhabited by different ethnic communities belonging to different racial and linguistic groups. The [[Anthropological Survey of India]] has identified 21 communities in Sikkim and more than 13 different languages belonging to different linguistic stock are spoken in the state. <ref>{{cite web\|url=http://14.139.206.50:8080/jspui/bitstream/1/4203/1/Population%20of%20sikkim%20a%20geographical%20analysis.pdf\|title=Population of Sikkim:A Geographical Analysis}}</ref> {{Pie chart
	\|thumb=left		\|thumb=left
	\|caption=Communities and Tribes of Sikkim <ref>{{cite web\|url=http://14.139.206.50:8080/jspui/bitstream/1/158/1/Encyclopaedia%20of%20Sikkim%20vol%201.pdf\|title=Encyclopedia of Sikkim}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web\|url=http://buddhilkhamdhak.blogspot.com/2014/01/complex-ethnography-of-sikkim_6201.html?m=1\|title=Complex Ethnography of Sikkim}}</ref>		\|caption=Communities and Tribes of Sikkim <ref>{{cite web\|url=http://14.139.206.50:8080/jspui/bitstream/1/158/1/Encyclopaedia%20of%20Sikkim%20vol%201.pdf\|title=Encyclopedia of Sikkim}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web\|url=http://buddhilkhamdhak.blogspot.com/2014/01/complex-ethnography-of-sikkim_6201.html?m=1\|title=Complex Ethnography of Sikkim\|date=31 January 2014}}</ref>
	\|label1=[[Rai people\|Rai]]\|color1=red\|value1=13.4		\|label1=[[Rai people\|Rai]]\|color1=red\|value1=13.4
	\|label2=[[Chhetri]]\|value2=12.22\|color2=green		\|label2= [[Chhetri]]\|value2=12.22\|color2=green
	\|label3=[[Limbu people\|Limbu]]\|value3=9.79\|color3=salmon		\|label3=[[Limbu people\|Limbu]]\|value3=9.79\|color3=salmon
	\|label4=[[Bhutia]]\|value4=8.57\|color4=violet		\|label4=[[Bhutia]]\|value4=8.57\|color4=violet
	\|label5=[[Lepcha people\|Lepcha]]\|value5=7.94\|color5=mediumspringgreen		\|label5=[[Lepcha people\|Lepcha]]\|value5=7.94\|color5=mediumspringgreen
	\|label6=[[Bahun]]\|color6=orange\|value6=6.96		\|label6=[[Bahun]]\|color6=orange\|value6=6.96
	\|label7=[[Tamang]]\|value7=6.8\|color7=darkred		\|label7=[[Tamang people\|Tamang]]\|value7=6.8\|color7=darkred
	\|label8=[[Gurung]]\|value8=5.87\|color8=palegreen		\|label8=[[Gurung people\|Gurung]]\|value8=5.87\|color8=palegreen
	\|label9=[[Sherpa people\|Sherpa]]\|value9=4.45\|color9=yellow		\|label9=[[Sherpa people\|Sherpa]]\|value9=4.45\|color9=yellow
	\|label10=[[Kami (caste)\|Kami]]\|value10=4.25\|color10=steelblue		\|label10=[[Kami (caste)\|Kami]]\|value10=4.25\|color10=steelblue
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	\|label15=[[Bhujel]]\|value15=0.6\|color15=magenta		\|label15=[[Bhujel]]\|value15=0.6\|color15=magenta
	\|label16= [[Sunuwar]]\|value16=0.65\|color16=turquoise		\|label16= [[Sunuwar]]\|value16=0.65\|color16=turquoise
	\|label17=[[Sanyasi/Giri]]\|value17=0.46\|color17=teal		\|label17=[[Sanyasi]]/Giri\|value17=0.46\|color17=teal
	\|label18=[[Sarki (ethnic group)\|Sarki]] \|value18=0.2\|color18=skyblue		\|label18=[[Sarki (ethnic group)\|Sarki]] \|value18=0.2\|color18=skyblue
	\|label19=[[Yakkha people\|Yakkha]] Dewan\|value19=0.003\|color19=indianred		\|label19=[[Yakkha people\|Yakkha]] Dewan\|value19=0.003\|color19=indianred
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	=== Ethnic Communities ===		=== Ethnic Communities ===
	The People of India, Sikkim, Voi-XXXIX by K S Singh (1993) enumerated altogether twentx-five tribes and communities in Sikkim. While the Report of the Commission for Review of Environmental and Social Sector, Policies, Plans and Programmes (CRESP, 2008) records different ethnic communities and tribes of Sikkim such as [[Bhujel]], [[Bhutia]], [[Bahun]], [[Chhetri]], [[Yakkha people\|Dewan]] (Yakha), [[Damai]], [[Gurung people\|Gurung]], [[Kami people\|Kami]], [[Rai people\|Rai]], [[Lepcha people\|Lepcha]], [[Limbu people\|Limboo]], [[Magars]], [[Newar people\|Newar]], [[Jogi (caste)\|Jogi]] (Sanyasi/Giri), [[Sarki (ethnic group)\|Sarki]], [[Sherpa people\|Sherpa]], [[Sunuwar people\|Mukhia]] (Sunuwar), [[Tamang people\|Tamang]], and [[Thami]]. The [[Bhutia\|Bhutias]] constitute 8.57%, [[Lepcha people\|Lepchas]] 7·94%, [[Limbu people\|Limboos]] 9·79%, [[Tamang people\|Tamangs]] 6.8%, [[Sherpa people\|Sherpas]] 4-45%, [[Magars]] 2.69%, [[Rai people\|Rais]] 13-4%, [[Gurung people\|Gurungs]] 5.87%, [[Yakkha people\|Dewans]] 0.003%, [[Jogi (caste)\|Jogis]] (Sanyasi/Giri) 0.46%, [[Sunuwar people\|Mukhias]] (Sunuwar) 0.65%, [[Thami\|Thamis]] 0.09%, [[Bhujel\|Bhujels]] o.6%, [[Bahun\|Bahuns]] 6.96%, [[Chhetri\|Chettris]] 12.22%, [[Newar people\|Pradhans]] (Newar) 3·73%, [[Kami (caste)\|Kamis]] 4.25%, [[Damai\|Damais]] 1.96%, [[Sarki (ethnic group)\|Sarkis]] 0.2% and others 9·34% of the total population of Sikkim. The [[Rai people\|Rai]] is the single largest community in Sikkim followed by the [[Chhetri\|Chettris]]. Among the Schedule caste, [[Kami (caste)\|Kami]] is the largest community followed by [[Damai]] and [[Sarki (ethnic group)\|Sarki]]. The community with lowest population in Sikkim is [[Yakkha people\|Dewan]] followed by [[Thami]]. <ref>{{cite web\|url=http://14.139.211.59/bitstream/123456789/1543/9/09_chapter_03.pdf\|title=LINGUISTIC AND RELIGIOUS MINORITIES UNDER SSP LED GOVERNMENT}}</ref>		The People of India, Sikkim, Voi-XXXIX by K S Singh (1993) enumerated altogether twentx-five tribes and communities in Sikkim. While the Report of the Commission for Review of Environmental and Social Sector, Policies, Plans and Programmes (CRESP, 2008) records different ethnic communities and tribes of Sikkim such as [[Bhujel]], [[Bhutia]], [[Bahun]], [[Khas people\|Khas]] [[Chhetri]]/[[Gurkha\|Gorkhali]], [[Yakkha people\|Dewan]] (Yakha), [[Damai]], [[Gurung people\|Gurung]], [[Kami people\|Kami]], [[Rai people\|Rai]], [[Lepcha people\|Lepcha]], [[Limbu people\|Limboo]], [[Magars]], [[Newar people\|Newar]], [[Jogi (caste)\|Jogi]] (Sanyasi/Giri), [[Sarki (ethnic group)\|Sarki]], [[Sherpa people\|Sherpa]], [[Sunuwar people\|Mukhia]] (Sunuwar), [[Tamang people\|Tamang]], and [[Thami]]. The [[Bhutia\|Bhutias]] constitute 8.57%, [[Lepcha people\|Lepchas]] 7·94%, [[Limbu people\|Limboos]] 9·79%, [[Tamang people\|Tamangs]] 6.8%, [[Sherpa people\|Sherpas]] 4-45%, [[Magars]] 2.69%, [[Rai people\|Rais]] 13-4%, [[Gurung people\|Gurungs]] 5.87%, [[Yakkha people\|Dewans]] 0.003%, [[Jogi (caste)\|Jogis]] (Sanyasi/Giri) 0.46%, [[Sunuwar people\|Mukhias]] (Sunuwar) 0.65%, [[Thami\|Thamis]] 0.09%, [[Bhujel\|Bhujels]] o.6%, [[Bahun\|Bahuns]] 6.96%, [[Khas people\|Khas]] [[Chhetri\|Chettris]] 12.22%, [[Newar people\|Pradhans]] (Newar) 3·73%, [[Kami (caste)\|Kamis]] 4.25%, [[Damai\|Damais]] 1.96%, [[Sarki (ethnic group)\|Sarkis]] 0.2% and others 9·34% of the total population of Sikkim. The [[Rai people\|Rai]] is the single largest ethnic community in Sikkim followed by the [[Chhetri\|Chettris]]. Among the Schedule caste, [[Kami (caste)\|Kami]] is the largest community followed by [[Damai]] and [[Sarki (ethnic group)\|Sarki]]. The community with lowest population in Sikkim is [[Yakkha people\|Dewan]] followed by [[Thami]]. <ref>{{cite web\|url=http://14.139.211.59/bitstream/123456789/1543/9/09_chapter_03.pdf\|title=LINGUISTIC AND RELIGIOUS MINORITIES UNDER SSP LED GOVERNMENT}}</ref>

	=== Languages ===		=== Languages ===
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	[[Hinduism]] has been the state's major religion since the arrival of the [[Indian Gorkha\|Nepali]] Hindu population; an estimated 64% percent of the total population are now adherents of the religion. There exist many Hindu temples. [[Kirateshwar Mahadev Temple]] is very popular, the [[Char Dham]], Sai Mandir altogether.		[[Hinduism]] has been the state's major religion since the arrival of the [[Indian Gorkha\|Nepali]] Hindu population; an estimated 64% percent of the total population are now adherents of the religion. There exist many Hindu temples. [[Kirateshwar Mahadev Temple]] is very popular, the [[Char Dham]], Sai Mandir altogether.

	[[Christians]] in Sikkim are mostly descendants of Lepcha people who were converted by British missionaries in the late 19th century and constitute around 10 per cent of the population. As of 2014, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Sikkim is the largest Christian denomination in Sikkim.<ref>{{Cite web\|title = Indian Reformed Fellowship Australia\|url = http://irfa.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49:points-of-ministry&Itemid=41\|website = Indian Reformed Fellowship - Australia\|access-date = 2016-01-04\|language = en-US}}</ref> Other religious minorities include [[Muslim]]s and [[Jains]], who each account for roughly one per cent of the population.<ref>{{Cite book\|title = People of India: Sikkim, Anthropological Survey of India.\|last = Singh\|first = Kumar Suresh\|publisher = Anthropological Survey of India\|year = 1992\|isbn = 81-7046-120-0\|location = New Delhi\|pages = 39}}</ref> The traditional religion of the native Lepcha people is [[Mun (religion)\|Mun]], an animist practice which co-exists alongside Buddhism.<ref>{{Cite book\|title = A Grammar Of Lepcha\|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=DpCXEc_9RWcC\|publisher = BRILL\|date = 2007-01-01\|isbn = ~~9004155252~~\|first = Heleen\|last = Plaisier}}</ref>		[[Christians]] in Sikkim are mostly descendants of Lepcha people who were converted by British missionaries in the late 19th century and constitute around 10 per cent of the population. As of 2014, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Sikkim is the largest Christian denomination in Sikkim.<ref>{{Cite web\|title = Indian Reformed Fellowship Australia\|url = http://irfa.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49:points-of-ministry&Itemid=41\|website = Indian Reformed Fellowship - Australia\|access-date = 2016-01-04\|language = en-US}}</ref> Other religious minorities include [[Muslim]]s and [[Jains]], who each account for roughly one per cent of the population.<ref>{{Cite book\|title = People of India: Sikkim, Anthropological Survey of India.\|last = Singh\|first = Kumar Suresh\|publisher = Anthropological Survey of India\|year = 1992\|isbn = 81-7046-120-0\|location = New Delhi\|pages = 39}}</ref> The traditional religion of the native Lepcha people is [[Mun (religion)\|Mun]], an animist practice which co-exists alongside Buddhism.<ref>{{Cite book\|title = A Grammar Of Lepcha\|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=DpCXEc_9RWcC\|publisher = BRILL\|date = 2007-01-01\|isbn = 978-9004155251\|first = Heleen\|last = Plaisier}}</ref>

	==See also==		==See also==
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	[[Category:People from Sikkim\|Sikkimese people]]		[[Category:People from Sikkim\|Sikkimese people]]
	[[Category:Ethnic groups in Nepal]]		[[Category:Ethnic groups in Nepal]]
	~~[[Category:Indian people of Nepalese descent]]~~

imported>Rachhenhang Rai at 07:51, 25 August 2021

2021-08-25T07:51:27Z

New page

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2019}}
[[File:Old lady from Darap(Sikkim).jpg|thumb|200px|Old Nepali lady from Darap, Sikkim, India.]]
'''Sikkimese''' are people who inhabit the [[India]]n state of [[Sikkim]]. The dominance ethnic diversity of Sikkim is represented by 'Lho-Mon-Tsong-Tsum' that identifies origin of three races since seventeenth century. The term 'Lho' refers to [[Bhutia]]s (Lhopo) means south who migrated from Southern Tibet, the term 'Mon' refers to [[Lepcha people|Lepchas]] (Rong) lived in lower Eastern Himalayas and the term 'Tsong' refers to [[Limbu people|Limbus]],<ref name="tsong">{{cite journal|url=http://jogltep.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/JOGLTEP5.pdf|title=The Tsongs (Limbus) Down the Ages in Sikkim|journal=Journal of Global Literacies, Technologies, and Emerging Pedagogies|volume=5|issue=2|date=1 December 2019|author=Buddhi L. Khamdhak|accessdate= 3 February 2021|quote=The Sikkimi Tsongs, Limbus or Yakthungs, are the Indigenous inhabitants of Sikkim. They are also commonly called 'Tsong' by the Bhutias and Lepchas in Sikkim}}</ref> another tribe of Sikkim. Society in [[Sikkim]] is characterized by multiple ethnicity and possesses attributes of a . plural society. The present population of Sikkim is composed of different races and ethnic groups, viz., the Lepchas, the Bhutias, the Nepalese and the Plainsmen, who came and settled in different phases of history. The [[Ethnic groups in Nepal|Nepali]] community in Sikkim is inclusive of three sub-cultural ,sectors: the [[Kirati people|Kiratis]], the [[Newar people|Newaris]] and the [[Gurkha|Gorkhas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ir.nbu.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/1268/8/08_chapter_02.pdf|title=Ethnic Group of Sikkim In History}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://14.139.206.50:8080/jspui/bitstream/1/3114/1/Samten%20D%20Bhutia.pdf|title=Political Parties and ethnicity in Sikkim since1975}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.co.in/books/about/History_Culture_and_Customs_of_Sikkim.html?id=iY4bVR9--XAC|title=History Culture And Customes of Sikkim}}</ref>

== Tribes and Communities of Sikkim ==
[[Sikkim]] is a multi-ethnic society inhabited by different ethnic communities belonging to different racial and linguistic groups. The [[Anthropological Survey of India]] has identified 21 communities in Sikkim and more than 13 different languages belonging to different linguistic stock are spoken in the state. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://14.139.206.50:8080/jspui/bitstream/1/4203/1/Population%20of%20sikkim%20a%20geographical%20analysis.pdf|title=Population of Sikkim:A Geographical Analysis}}</ref> {{Pie chart
|thumb=left
|caption=Communities and Tribes of Sikkim <ref>{{cite web|url=http://14.139.206.50:8080/jspui/bitstream/1/158/1/Encyclopaedia%20of%20Sikkim%20vol%201.pdf|title=Encyclopedia of Sikkim}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=http://buddhilkhamdhak.blogspot.com/2014/01/complex-ethnography-of-sikkim_6201.html?m=1|title=Complex Ethnography of Sikkim}}</ref>
|label1=[[Rai people|Rai]]|color1=red|value1=13.4
|label2=[[Chhetri]]|value2=12.22|color2=green
|label3=[[Limbu people|Limbu]]|value3=9.79|color3=salmon
|label4=[[Bhutia]]|value4=8.57|color4=violet
|label5=[[Lepcha people|Lepcha]]|value5=7.94|color5=mediumspringgreen
|label6=[[Bahun]]|color6=orange|value6=6.96
|label7=[[Tamang]]|value7=6.8|color7=darkred
|label8=[[Gurung]]|value8=5.87|color8=palegreen
|label9=[[Sherpa people|Sherpa]]|value9=4.45|color9=yellow
|label10=[[Kami (caste)|Kami]]|value10=4.25|color10=steelblue
|label11=[[Newar]]|value11=3.73|color11=hotpink
|label12=[[Magar people|Magar]]|value12=2.69|color12=plum
|label13=[[Damai ]]|value13=1.96|color13=cornsilk
|label14=[[Thami]]|value14=0.9|color14=darkblue
|label15=[[Bhujel]]|value15=0.6|color15=magenta
|label16= [[Sunuwar]]|value16=0.65|color16=turquoise
|label17=[[Sanyasi/Giri]]|value17=0.46|color17=teal
|label18=[[Sarki (ethnic group)|Sarki]] |value18=0.2|color18=skyblue
|label19=[[Yakkha people|Yakkha]] Dewan|value19=0.003|color19=indianred
|label20=Others|value20=9.34|color20=grey
}}

=== Ethnic Communities ===
The People of India, Sikkim, Voi-XXXIX by K S Singh (1993) enumerated altogether twentx-five tribes and communities in Sikkim. While the Report of the Commission for Review of Environmental and Social Sector, Policies, Plans and Programmes (CRESP, 2008) records different ethnic communities and tribes of Sikkim such as [[Bhujel]], [[Bhutia]], [[Bahun]], [[Chhetri]], [[Yakkha people|Dewan]] (Yakha), [[Damai]], [[Gurung people|Gurung]], [[Kami people|Kami]], [[Rai people|Rai]], [[Lepcha people|Lepcha]], [[Limbu people|Limboo]], [[Magars]], [[Newar people|Newar]], [[Jogi (caste)|Jogi]] (Sanyasi/Giri), [[Sarki (ethnic group)|Sarki]], [[Sherpa people|Sherpa]], [[Sunuwar people|Mukhia]] (Sunuwar), [[Tamang people|Tamang]], and [[Thami]]. The [[Bhutia|Bhutias]] constitute 8.57%, [[Lepcha people|Lepchas]] 7·94%, [[Limbu people|Limboos]] 9·79%, [[Tamang people|Tamangs]] 6.8%, [[Sherpa people|Sherpas]] 4-45%, [[Magars]] 2.69%, [[Rai people|Rais]] 13-4%, [[Gurung people|Gurungs]] 5.87%, [[Yakkha people|Dewans]] 0.003%, [[Jogi (caste)|Jogis]] (Sanyasi/Giri) 0.46%, [[Sunuwar people|Mukhias]] (Sunuwar) 0.65%, [[Thami|Thamis]] 0.09%, [[Bhujel|Bhujels]] o.6%, [[Bahun|Bahuns]] 6.96%, [[Chhetri|Chettris]] 12.22%, [[Newar people|Pradhans]] (Newar) 3·73%, [[Kami (caste)|Kamis]] 4.25%, [[Damai|Damais]] 1.96%, [[Sarki (ethnic group)|Sarkis]] 0.2% and others 9·34% of the total population of Sikkim. The [[Rai people|Rai]] is the single largest community in Sikkim followed by the [[Chhetri|Chettris]]. Among the Schedule caste, [[Kami (caste)|Kami]] is the largest community followed by [[Damai]] and [[Sarki (ethnic group)|Sarki]]. The community with lowest population in Sikkim is [[Yakkha people|Dewan]] followed by [[Thami]]. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://14.139.211.59/bitstream/123456789/1543/9/09_chapter_03.pdf|title=LINGUISTIC AND RELIGIOUS MINORITIES UNDER SSP LED GOVERNMENT}}</ref>

=== Languages ===
{{pie chart|label1=[[Nepali language|Nepali]]|label7=[[Tamang language|Tamang]]|label11=Other|value11=4.2|caption=Languages of Sikkim (2011 census)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011Census/Language_MTs.html|title=Statement 1: Abstract of speakers' strength of languages and mother tongues - 2011|publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India|website=www.censusindia.gov.in|access-date=7 July 2018}}</ref>|color10=gold|value10=1.14|label10=[[Bengali language|Bengali]]|color9=limegreen|value9=1.22|label9=[[Rai languages|Rai]]|color8=red|value8=1.63|label8=[[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]]|color7=skyblue|value7=1.92|color6=purple|value1=62.6|color3=lavender|color1=maroon|label2=[[Sikkimese language|Sikkimese]]|value2=6.86|color2=deepskyblue|label3=[[Limbu language|Limbu]]|value3=6.34|label4=[[Lepcha language|Lepcha]]|value6=2.24|value4=6.27|color4=darkblue|label5=[[Hindi]]|value5=5.58|color5=orange|label6=[[Sherpa language|Sherpa]]|color11=grey}}The official languages of the state are [[Indian English|English]], [[Nepali language|Nepali]], [[Sikkimese language|Sikkimese]] (Bhutia) and [[Lepcha language|Lepcha]]. Additional official languages include [[Gurung language|Gurung]], [[Limbu language|Limbu]], [[Magar language|Magar]], [[Sunwar language|Mukhia]], [[Newar language|Newar]], [[Kiranti languages|Rai]], [[Sherpa language|Sherpa]] and [[Tamang language|Tamang]] for the purpose of preservation of culture and tradition in the state.

Nepali is the lingua franca of Sikkim, while Sikkimese (Bhutia) and Lepcha are spoken in certain areas.<ref>indiatoday.in/amp/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/mini-sikkim-in-making-308081-2016-02-10</ref> English is also spoken and understood in most of Sikkim. Other languages include [[Dzongkha]], [[Groma language|Groma]], [[Hindi]], [[Majhi language|Majhi]], [[Majhwar language|Majhwar]], [[Thulung language|Thulung]], [[Standard Tibetan|Tibetan]], and [[Yakha language|Yakha]].{{sfn|Bareh|2001|p=10}} [[Nepali language|Nepali]] is the lingua franca of [[Sikkim]] while [[Bhutia language|Bhutia]] and [[Lepcha language|Lepcha]] are spoken in certain areas.<ref>indiatoday.in/amp/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/mini-sikkim-in-making-308081-2016-02-10</ref><ref>thewire.in/article/politics/watch-sikkim-simultaneous-people-elections-and-the-battle-over-the-17th-karmapa/amp</ref><ref>northeasttourism.gov.in/sikkim.html</ref>

==Festivals==
Sikkim Have Various Ethnic Cultural Festivals of Nepalis ,Bhutias and Lepchas Hindu ,Buddist and Local Festivals : [[Dashain]], [[Tihar (festival)|Tihar]], [[Losar]], [[Saga Dawa]], [[Sakela|Sakewa]], [[Tendong Lho Rumfaat]] , [[Losoong Festival|Losoong/Namsoong]], [[Indra Jatra]], [[Sonam Lhosar]], [[Tamu Lhosar]], [[Chasok Tangnam]] , [[Maghe Sankranti]], [[Buddha Jayanti]], [[Rama Navami]] , Pang-Lhabsol , Lhabab Duechen , Teyongsi Srijunga Sawan Tongnam, Barahimizong , Kagyed Dance, Guru Rimpoche’s Thunkar Tshechu, Bhanu Jayanti etc. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://sikkim.gov.in/KnowSikkim/about-sikkim/festivals-in-sikkim|title=festivals of Sikkim govtofsikkimportal}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=http://sikenvis.nic.in/WriteReadData/Publication/Hand%20Book%20of%20Nature%20Based%20Festival%20of%20Sikkim%2005-06-15%20web.pdf|title=Handbook on Nature Based Festivals of Sikkim}}</ref>

==Religion==
[[Vajrayana|Vajrayana Buddhism]], which accounts for 28.1 percent of the population, is Sikkim's second-largest, yet most prominent religion. Prior to Sikkim's becoming a part of the Indian Union, [[Vajrayana|Vajrayana Buddhism]] was the state religion under the Chogyal. Sikkim has 75 Buddhist monasteries, the oldest dating back to the 1700s.<ref>{{Cite book|title = Encyclopaedia of North-East India: Sikkim|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=jrr7HPr8NAQC|publisher = Mittal Publications|date = 2001-01-01|isbn = 9788170997948|first = Hamlet|last = Bareh}}</ref>

[[Hinduism]] has been the state's major religion since the arrival of the [[Indian Gorkha|Nepali]] Hindu population; an estimated 64% percent of the total population are now adherents of the religion. There exist many Hindu temples. [[Kirateshwar Mahadev Temple]] is very popular, the [[Char Dham]], Sai Mandir altogether.

[[Christians]] in Sikkim are mostly descendants of Lepcha people who were converted by British missionaries in the late 19th century and constitute around 10 per cent of the population. As of 2014, the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Sikkim is the largest Christian denomination in Sikkim.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Indian Reformed Fellowship Australia|url = http://irfa.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49:points-of-ministry&Itemid=41|website = Indian Reformed Fellowship - Australia|access-date = 2016-01-04|language = en-US}}</ref> Other religious minorities include [[Muslim]]s and [[Jains]], who each account for roughly one per cent of the population.<ref>{{Cite book|title = People of India: Sikkim, Anthropological Survey of India.|last = Singh|first = Kumar Suresh|publisher = Anthropological Survey of India|year = 1992|isbn = 81-7046-120-0|location = New Delhi|pages = 39}}</ref> The traditional religion of the native Lepcha people is [[Mun (religion)|Mun]], an animist practice which co-exists alongside Buddhism.<ref>{{Cite book|title = A Grammar Of Lepcha|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=DpCXEc_9RWcC|publisher = BRILL|date = 2007-01-01|isbn = 9004155252|first = Heleen|last = Plaisier}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Sikkimese cuisine]]
*[[Indigenous peoples of Sikkim]]
*[[Rabdentse]]
*[[Gangtok]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Sikkim}}

[[Category:Culture of Sikkim]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in India]]
[[Category:People from Sikkim|Sikkimese people]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Nepal]]
[[Category:Indian people of Nepalese descent]]