CREATION MYTH OF THE LEPCHAS
PRESENTED BY
MR. AZUK TAMSANGMOO LEPCHA
Lepchas the ancient race that has survived for time immemorial within the boundaries of the present-day Darjeeling district of West Bengal and Sikkim in India , ILLam district in Nepal and Samtse district in Bhutan. They call themselves “Mutanchyee Rum Kup” in their native language Rong-Aaring or Lepcha language, which in literal translation means ‘Mothers loved one- children of God’
The creation story (Aa-Eet Sung) is the core part of Lepcha traditional story (Lungten Sung). It takes more than thirty days and nights to complete the whole story.
CREATION OF THE WORLD
Lord Eetboo-deyboo Rum created the Kaongchyenkaonglo-Chyoo (Kanchendzonga Mountain) and Matli Pano (Earthquake King). Kanchendzonga is the elder brother of Matli Pano. Lord Eetboo-Deyboo Rum created these two; but this creation was not habitable for any creature because the whole world was covered with water (Talyo Da – the ocean). Eetboo-Deyboo Rum was concerned about human beings and where they would live. The Lord thought about the shelter for human beings; hence it was decided that Matli Pano would lie above the Talyo Da. Lord Eetboo-Deyboo Rum made the soil on his body which became the earth, where the creatures could live. Matli Pano did not want to live under the soil, so he moved below the earth and caused the whole world to shake. There was no control over his body movement, and thus there were floods and earthquakes everywhere, and no creature could live comfortably.
Eetbo-deyboo now decided that Kanchendzonga should stand on Matli Pano’s chest so that he could control the movements of his younger brother.
Thereafter Eetbu Deyboo Rum wanted to create every possible type of living creatures that would be found on earth. So he called deities from all directions, like Somgli Soambam from East, West, South and North and deities from under the earth like Tongdek Mardek. They advised that the flesh of the animals and living creatures be made from the dust of the soil, the ribs, bones and spines to be made from rocks, the breath from the wind and the heat from the sun.
Having completed all these, God chose a creature among them for the purpose of making a human being. Eetboo-Deyboo Rum put the soul from the fresh snow of Mt. Kanchendzonga into the human being and named him Fadaongthing, who became the first male. Eetboo-Deyboo Rum, the Creator, realized Fodaongthing’s loneliness; so he made a sister who would be like a partner for him. He took one of the souls from Fodaongthing and created her, and named her Nuzaongnyoo.
It is believed that each Lepcha male has eight sub-souls inside his body and every female has nine sub-souls inside her. These sub-souls acre called ‘Sum’ in Lepcha. These sub-souls together constitute one soul that is called ‘Apil’. A Lepcha male has one sub-soul less because one of it was used to create the female, hence this calculation of the sub-souls is very important for conducting death ceremonies.
God had instructed Fadaongthing and Nuzaongnyooto live as brother and sister, in Ney- Mayel-Kyong (Village of eternity) and warned them of untold misery and misfortune if this relation was altered. God then sent Fadaongthing to live at the top of Tungseng Nareng Chyoo (a mountain peak in Mt. Kanchendzonga) and Nuzaongnyoo was to live next to Naho Nathar Da, a lake at the base of that mountain. They were thus separated from each other.
Nuzaongnyoo grew into a beautiful young woman. She longed to see and meet Fadaongthing.Although she remembered well God’s command and warning not to meet Fadaongthing, she was unable to control and resist the temptation. So one fine day she built a golden ladder and climbed up to Tungseng Nareng Chyooand met Fadaongthing secretly. Thereafter Fadaongthing and Nazaongnyoo climbed down and spent their first night together at Lake Naho Nathar Da. On the night they broke the incest taboo, Nuzaongnyooheld the hand of Fadaongthing, when her bracelet gave obstruction, so she took it off and kept it beside her pillow, but it fell into the Naho Nathar Dalake where it grew into the Sanyaol Koongtree.
The brother and sister violated the incest taboo, and Nuzaongnyoo got pregnant several times. Their first seven babies were hidden in a cave in order to hide their evil deeds from Eetboo-deyboo Rum. Realizing this, God summoned the first progenitors of the Lepchas and dropped them nine steps below the Ney-Mayel-Kyong to Tarbong Partam, where God instructed them to live as husband and wife, which began the first marriage ceremony. They were now to fend for themselves, spread and survive in this world of pain and sorrow, and to take care of their own children.
In this land of pain and sorrow of Tarbong Partam they now had four children. The eldest daughter got the name ‘Nonglennyoo’, the eldest son got the name ‘Kuthaongfee’, the middle daughter got the name ‘Numsyumnyoo’and the last son got the name ‘Numbumthing’. One day God the creator visited the family of Tarbong Partam, where everyone was called for blessing, Nonglennyooand Kuthaongfee were playing in dirt and was not presentable, in order to hide the shame the mother Nuzaongnyoo hid them in a cave and showed only the younger children Numsyumnyooand Numbumthing, where God gave the blessings to them. It was later learnt that the two elder children were not there in the cave that mother Nuzaongnyoohad hidden, where they all started weeping and crying. In hearing their pain God asked them for the reason of their sorrow. With repentance and guilt Nuzaongnyoo confessed to God about the incident, where God showed the souls of Nonglennyooand Kuthaongfee. God told them like the seven children which they could not hide earlier, Nonglennyoo and Kuthaongfeealso could not be hidden from His eyes. God the creator then made Nonglennyoo and Kuthaongfee the guardian angels of all the human beings. Nonglennyoo the eldest daughter was bestowed as the guardian angel of all the males, while Kuthaongfee the eldest son was made the guardian angel of all the females. Where these two were the guardian angel of human beings while the previous seven souls were bestowed as the guardian angels of stone, trees, rivers, mountains, wild animals which included all the others inside the nature,
Meanwhile, the seven who were born in Ney-Mayel-Kyong the youths that lived for eternity, then became very powerful, within them came out a leader who was the eldest and the strongest among the brothers and was called Laso-Mung-Pano. As they grew older, they got jealous of their other brothers and sisters who were been taken care of with the love of mother and father, They felt betrayed by their parents and even questioned themselves that if they were to be discarded then why were they given birth. They discussed among themselves that the rights of the children they must get. In listening to their words Laso-Mung-Pano consoled them by giving assurance that revenge will be taken. The seven of them under the leadership of Laso-Mung-Pano came into a decision to start troubling the generations of Numsyumnyoo and Numbumthing.
Laso-Mungstayed in Sanyaol Koong a big tree, on top of the mountain Sanyaol Chyoo. He lived on top of this tree as this location gave him the view of an eagle, wherefrom he observed human beings and took revenge by killing them. Various deities along with the Lepcha people decided to cut down the Sanyaol Koong tree and kill the demon. This was not an easy task. The Kumyu Kumshi deity (deity of ancestral wisdom) spent all day chopping the tree trunk, but overnight the tree would regenerate itself. After several failed attempts, they looked for someone with the special ability to bring down this tree. Pasyok Bu,a type of wood-eating caterpillar offered his help. In return he asked god of a favor that in future he (the god) should give him the Sungru kung tree as a reward; the tree would be his food as well as his shelter. The Kumyu Kumshi deity agreed to this. The deities then cut the tree during the day and at night the caterpillar kept eating the timber. Before the tree could be fully brought down, the Kumyu Kumshi deity suddenly faced a new problem which he had not foreseen. They would have to decide in which direction the huge tree should fall. They thought of different possibilities: whether the tree was to fall to the east (Bhutan-Prolyang), to the north (Tibet-Putlyang), to the west (Nepal-Payulyang) or towards the south (Indian plains-Pontonglyang). If the tree fell on one of those directions, they feared that the huge tree would block the paths, cut off the trading routes and communications and make those places inaccessible. So they looked towards the passage of the living and the dead in Mt. Kanchendzonga. It was decided that it would be best to block this passage as this was the only alternative. It was from that very day that the living in this world could not meet the dead. Finally when the tree fell, Laso-Mung started to fly towards Mayel Lyang or Lepcha country.
THE LEPCHA EARTHEN TOWER
The Lapchas were terrified of Laso-Mung-Pano, the devil; so some of them fled to Tibet and to the Himalayas, some settled down in China, many entered Assam, Tripura, Chittagong and Burma. A group of them did not want to leave the Sikkim Himalayas and went to Toonaok Tungshi Da, the source of Romam river, they followed its course and finally arrived at Da Raom-Dyen and built the legendary Lepcha Earthen Pots Tower to reach out to Eetboo-Deyboo Rum for help at Tal Laom Purtam. The Lepchas in dire straits demolished the lake and used the mud and clay of the lake to build earthen pots. They stacked the earthen pots on top of one another in order to build a staircase. When it was nearing completion, there was a serious breakdown of communications between the artisans working at the top and bottom of the Earthen Tower. When the artisans at the top of tower required a hook, shouted to the Lepcha artisans working below, ‘Kaok Vim Yang Tal!’ meaning ‘send up a hook’. The artisans working below heard it as ‘Chyek Ta’ meaning ‘knock it down’.
The Earthen Tower was thus knocked down, destroyed and many Lepchas were killed.
Fragments of pottery are still found in and around Tal Laom Purtam and Da Raom-Dyen.
CREATION OF LEPCHA PRIEST AND PRIESTESS
On seeing the plight and misery of the Lepchas, the Lord consecrated the first Lepcha Priest, Azaor Boongthing as an aid to help the Lepchas. In Lepcha language the world is known as Sukdum-lung-ming-taam and a great personality is known as Aathing;so Sukdum-lung-ming-taam-saa-aathingwas the name of the first Lepcha priest. Azaor Boongthing was in short also known as Taam-saa-aathing or Taamsangthing who gathered all possible knowledge about Laso-Mung-Pano. Knowledge alone was not enough for this and more power was needed to forecast and guide the movement for the preparation of the great battle. Under the advice of Tamsangthing,Eetboo-Deyboo Rum, the creator, decided to consecrate Nyolik Nyosong Mun who was bestowed with great powers for guidance and forecast. God himself established the first priest and priestess. The first Mun, a Lepcha priestess Nyolik Nyosong Mun was given supernatural powers by offering her three young shoots of Pashyaor, the elephant grass. In the beginning Nyolik Nyosong found it extremely difficult to communicate and express her thoughts and powers to the terror stricken Lepchas. One day she heard and saw a Tungbum, bumble bee, humming and moving from flower to flower. Nyolik Nyosong was inspired by tungbum and she imitated the sound and rhythmic tones of Tungbum in her prayer and supplication to God. Thenceforth she successfully exercised her powers, communicated and expressed her thoughts to the Lepchas. The Lepcha Muns still continue to follow and use Tungbum’s rhythmic tones in their invocations and prayers to God till today.
There is no institution for making of Lepcha priests and priestesses. It has to be inborn, made by the Lord and creator Eetboo-Deyboo Rum himself. It is due to this reason that a Lepcha Mun and Boongthing, that is, a Lepcha priestess and a priest recite their prayers together.
ORIGIN OF CHYEE, THE SPIRITUOUS LIQUOR
Using the supernatural powers bestowed upon her by Eetboo-Deyboo Rum, Nyolik Nyosong Mun revealed that the medicine for the restoration of lost morale of the Lepchas lay in the form of a Buth, meaning ferment. She knew of Matlimanyoo, a sorceress who lived below the earth, and who was in possession of Buth, the power potion. Nyolik Nyosong asked for a volunteer to fetch Buth from Matlimanyoo. Tungdyer Palyung, a cockroach (blatta orientalis), volunteered to fetch it. It successfully brought the Buth from Matlimanyoo after tricking her and stealing the recipe and the medicinal herbs from the back of the neck of Matlimanyoo where she used to hide them.
On the way back while Tungdyer Palyung was resting on the way after its arduous journey, Pamaol Bu, a pure black cobra (of genus Naja Naja) sneaked in and stole a bit of Buthfrom Tungdyer Palyung and tasted it. As soon as Pamaol Bu, the cobra tasted the Buth, it became mad and very poisonous. Next Hu, a honey bee, tasted a tiny bit of Buth, and it developed a sharp needle to prick with a seemingly negligible sting. Some of the large birds that tasted Buth became carnivorous. Kantek, a fig tree, who also touched Buth, developed sour taste. Finally when Kundong
Koong, a plantain tree, touched Buth, its fruit became sweet. The Lepchas believe that Buth was thus tasted by various animals and plants, which resulted in the removal of its poison; in this way it became suitable for the consumption of the Lepchas
Tungdyer Palyaong finally arrived with Buth, a power potion, and handed it over to Nyolik Nyosong Mun. The priestess cooked millet, mixed Buth to prepare Chyee, fermented beverage, the ultimate power potion, and distributed it among the Lepcha soldiers to raise their morale to fight against Laso-Mung-Pano, the devil, in battle. With their morale high after drinking Chyee, the Lepchas fought gallantly.
This is how the Lepchas’ Chyee, a fermented beverage, originated. Meanwhile when Matlimonyoo realized that her precious and rare Buth was stolen, she cast a spell on the Chyee, saying, ‘Chyee thong ya gong ney maon, thong ma ya na gong ney nyung’, meaning, ‘Chyee is a very good medicine if you know how to drink it properly, but if you don’t know how to drink it, it is like poison’. The Lepchas believe that because of this curse by Matlimonyoo, drinking excessive quantity of Chyeemakes one quarrel, lose health, wealth and respect in the society.
ORIGIN OF YEARS
During the pursuit and hunt to kill Laso-Mung-Pano the Lepchas gathered from all directions under the leadership of Tamsangthing. Laso-Mung on seeing their new strength camouflaged himself in different forms using his magical powers to change his appearance. Each year, in a cycle of twelve years, he assumed a different form. These forms were – Mouse –Kalok, Ox-Laong, Tiger-Sathaong, Eagle-Panthyong, Dragon-Sadyer, Snake-Bu, Horse-Un, Sheep-Luk, Monkey-Sahu, Hen-Hik, Dog-Kujyou and Pig-Mon. This gave rise to the origin of years. This cycle of twelve different forms assumed by Laso-Mung-Pano evolved into the calculation of years; the twelve forms come in a rotation in the Lepcha calendar.
ORIGIN OF CLANS
The Lepchas under the leadership of Tamsangthingfought and defeated Laso- Mung-Panoat a place called Sukver, the valley of death. While Laso-Mung-Pano was lying on the ground in defeat, no one was sure if the devil was dead or alive. When the devil, Laso-Mung-Pano was finally slain, the Lepchas and Tamsangthingmoved to a place called Tarkaol Tam-E-Tam, meaning the valley of deliverance. Tamsangthingbestowed upon the Lepchas the following clans:
1. The Lepchas who prayed, remembered Eetboo-Deyboo, the Creator, and requested him to deliver the Lepchas from the clutches of the devil Laso-Mung-Pano were given the title of ‘Munlaommoo’.
2. Those who made and prepared weapons like swords, Banmaok, etc., to fight the devil were called ‘Karvomoo’.
3. The ones who served Nyolik Nyosong Mun, Azaor Boongthing,and Lepcha leaders during the battle were given the title of ‘Adenmoo’.
4. Those who helped to make bows and arrows for the purpose of fighting were called ‘Phyoong Talimmoo’.
5. Suppliers of water, ration and food were given the title of ‘Joriboo’.
6. The Lepchas who constructed and made bridges, roads, ropes and bow-strings were called ‘Sampumoo’ (girl).
7. The man who dared to check if Laso Mung Pano’s heart was beating and if he was breathing was given the title of ‘Lutsaom moo’. In Lepcha alutmeans ‘heart’ and aasaom means ‘breath’ and when the prefix a-, common to both is removed, the two combined words become Lutsaom.
8. The person who broke the eyes and blinded the devil was called ‘Seemickmoo’.
9. One who separated Laso-Mung-Pano’s head and legs with his Banmaok was called ‘Sungngootmoo’.
10. The man who beat up, crushed the body of Laso Mung Pano into dust and blew them away into thin air from a hill top was given the title of ‘Sungdyangmoo’.
The following ten Lepcha clans thus originated:
1. Munlaommoo (girl) 2. Karvomoo 3. Adenmoo
4. Phyoong Talimmoo 5. Joriboo 6. Lutsaommoo
7. Sampumoo (girl) 8. Seemickmoo 9. Sungngootmoo
10. Sungdyangmoo
Since the women folk helped equally in the battle, it is recognized that they had taken equal responsibility and their surnames are intact till today. The daughters take the surname of the mother and sons take that of the father. This is the reason why the brothers and sisters of the same parents can never have the same surname.
The Lepcha priests, priestesses and elders while conducting the Lepcha rituals, rites and traditions still relate them to the origin of the Lepcha clans and the ten customary laws of the Lepchas.
References:
1) Lepcha Folklore and Folk Songs, by Lyangsong Tamsang, year 2008. Place of publication Kalimpong, District Darjeeling, West Bengal . Publisher Sahitya academy Kolkatta.
2) Laso Mung Sung: Lepcha Oral tradition as a Reflection ofCulture, 2008.
by Jenny Bentley. Place of publication Gangtok,Sikkim. Publisher Bulletin of Tibetology .
3) Nyolik-Nyosong, by Mungshel Simickmoo. year 2008. Place of publication Kalimpong, District Darjeeling, West Bengal. Publisher Tansen Simikmoo Lepcha
4) Lepcha My vanishing Tribe ,by A.R. Foning year 1987, Kalimpong, District Darjeeling, West Bengal. Publisher Chupandi Farm Kalimpong.
5) The author’s unpublished field notes from villages in Kalimpong, District Darjeeling, West Bengal and Dzongu, Sikkim.
6) Lepcha ancient manuscripts called the ‘Naamthaars’ (these manuscript have no recorded dates and authors)
aachuley 