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People
The Tamang
The Tamangs claim their origin from four families, viz. Bal, Yonjon, Moktan, Ghising. Their two main divisions are Bara Tamang and Atharajat. Bara Tamang is socially superior. Tamangs have a similarity with the Gurangs. Their language is similar to Gurung. By religion the Tamangs are Lamaist Buddhists.
The Newar
The Newar are originally agriculturists and masons. But in Sikkim many of them have taken to trade. The Newars of Sikkim are mostly Hindus.
Gurkhas
Of the Gurkhas who settled in Sikkim, the Brahmins have the highest social standing. They are mainly agriculturists and are mostly orthodox Hindus and would not normally have any matrimonial relations with other lower castes. But with the passage of time, rigidity of social attitude and behaviour is fast disappearing. In the urban areas Brahmins are found marrying non-Brahmins, taking up a variety of professions other than priest hood and mixing freely with others.
Thakurs
Next in social rank are the Thakurs. A Thakur is also entitled to wear sacred thread. Inter-marriage among certain class of Thakurs is permissible while marriage with members of other classes is restricted.
The Chettris
Chettris are next in rank. They also wear sacred thread and have Brahmanical prejudices. Though inter-marriage is common, they prefer marriage only among their own class. In Sikkim, inter-marriage among these higher castes is not uncommon. Traditionally a Gurkha can possess any number of wives. A wife taken through formal ceremonial marriage is called a Behaite while others are called Lihaites. But this practice is now on the wane. Divorce is permissible. Both man and wife can refer any plea for divorce to the village elders who decide it.
The Tamangs claim their origin from four families, viz. Bal, Yonjon, Moktan, Ghising. Their two main divisions are Bara Tamang and Atharajat. Bara Tamang is socially superior. Tamangs have a similarity with the Gurangs. Their language is similar to Gurung. By religion the Tamangs are Lamaist Buddhists.
The Newar
The Newar are originally agriculturists and masons. But in Sikkim many of them have taken to trade. The Newars of Sikkim are mostly Hindus.
Gurkhas
Of the Gurkhas who settled in Sikkim, the Brahmins have the highest social standing. They are mainly agriculturists and are mostly orthodox Hindus and would not normally have any matrimonial relations with other lower castes. But with the passage of time, rigidity of social attitude and behaviour is fast disappearing. In the urban areas Brahmins are found marrying non-Brahmins, taking up a variety of professions other than priest hood and mixing freely with others.
Thakurs
Next in social rank are the Thakurs. A Thakur is also entitled to wear sacred thread. Inter-marriage among certain class of Thakurs is permissible while marriage with members of other classes is restricted.
The Chettris
Chettris are next in rank. They also wear sacred thread and have Brahmanical prejudices. Though inter-marriage is common, they prefer marriage only among their own class. In Sikkim, inter-marriage among these higher castes is not uncommon. Traditionally a Gurkha can possess any number of wives. A wife taken through formal ceremonial marriage is called a Behaite while others are called Lihaites. But this practice is now on the wane. Divorce is permissible. Both man and wife can refer any plea for divorce to the village elders who decide it.
