Session 53 summary
The story begins with how in the great vastness Itbu-moo created the Kanchenjunga and many other mountains, rivers and lakes. Itbu-moo the created Fudongthing (most powerful one) and Nazong Nu (ever fortunate one) and told them to live in the mountain strictly as siblings, but they sinned and children were born to them but they were disfigured. Soon Itbu-moo came to know about Fudongthing and Nazong Nu’s sin and threw them to the foothills of the mountains. After getting banished Fudongthing and Nazong Nu had another set of children, these children were not deformed like the ones before. Later Itbu-moo blessed this group of children who are now called Lepchas.
It is important to know about sustainable development when talking about Mountains. Sustainable Development is the overarching paradigm of the United Nations, which can be described as, “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs.” There are three main pillars of Sustainable Development; Economic/Profit, Environment/ Plant and Social/People. The Lepchas are from eastern Nepal, Sikkim state and the Darjeeling region of West Bengal in Northern India, as well as from western Bhutan. These parts of the land are collectively known as ‘MayalLyang’ by the Lepchas. They are thought to be the earliest inhabitants of Sikkim. They call themselves as ‘Rongkups’ and the name Lepcha is given to them by the other communities who later settled in the region. Indigenous communities, their knowledge and practices are guided by the principle of people, plant and profit, aligning perfectly in line with the principles of sustainable development. These partnership practices form the way of living for indigenous communities thereby mirroring the fact that sustainability is deeply rooted in partnership and harmony between and among these three principles.
The Ka-Den-Mo-Lee are Lepcha earthquake-proof homes built entirely of eco-friendly materials, no nails and on a rock. Lepcha fishing is done with bamboo nets and fishing is done only when the fish flows downstream. They have special fishnets like the cone shaped one which is used to capture big fishes and the smaller fishes are able to escape from the net. The Lepchas also practice the art of drying food for lean seasons. Their religious festivals are called “chu-rum-phat” and “muk-zikding-rum-phat” celebrating nature and accepting stewardship of the same. The Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) is an environmental organization started by the Lepchas. They are working for the environment and river rights, they are raising their voice for the destructive effects of the dams build across the river Teesta. Mayel Crafts a sustainable brand engages Lepcha traditional crafts and artist.
Anugrah point out these things because she feels that the mountains are echoing the destruction they are facing and to make people question themselves whether they are willing to hear them and take actions.
About the Speaker
Anugrah Pandi
Research Scholar
Indigenous Knowledge System
Kalimpong, West Bengal
Anugrah Pandi Lepcha is a research scholar in the Department of Social Work, VisvaBharati University Shantiniketan who is specialising in the field of Green Social Work- an integrated study of the interdependence of both man and nature upon each other where one looks into nature from the perspective of “environment-in-person”.With the world seeking to move towards holistic development with the principle of leaving no one behind, indigenous communities and their narratives are essential to be recorded, heard, acknowledged and shared. Anugrah’s research seeks to explore the indigenous knowledge of the Lepcha community residing in the foothills of the Himalayas regarding the conservation of ecology. Her study is an amalgamation of stories echoed and carried by the winds of the mountains along with an academic outlook on the same. Other than her deep love for indigenous knowledge as a social worker she has had extensive opportunities to work with various government departments and projects, organize community programs and undertake group practices with women SHGs and children. Though the focus of her study has primarily been rural communities, working with children as a school social worker, in an anti-trafficking NGO and interning as a psychiatric social worker in a medical hospital has helped Anugrah broaden her horizon.
