Munsolong Athing commemorated with felicitation of sentinels of Lepcha culture

MANGAN, 17 May:  The Munsolong Athing Commemoration Day was observed here at Namprikdang in Upper Dzongu on 15 May, Sunday. Munsolong is among the more celebrated of Lepcha priests of yore and believed to have made substantial contributions towards institutionalising what it means to be a Lepcha. Aptly then, the Sunday celebration included the felicitation of two Lepcha personalities, Nezing Lepcha and Dawa Lepcha, in recognition of the substantial contributions made by them towards conserving the Lepcha heritage, culture and way of life.
Nezing Lepcha, the president of the Namprikdang Namsoong Celebration Committee, was instrumental in establishing the Namsoong [Lepcha New Year] celebrations at Namprikdang in 1976. The celebrations have grown in strength since then.
Dawa Lepcha, more popular among newspaper readers as the ACT activist who undertook two rounds of awe-inspiring hunger strikes to protest hydel projects in Dzongu, is also an accomplished documentary filmmaker. His latest work, “Ritual Journeys”, a documentary on the life of a Lepcha Padim, has been selected for an ethnographic film festival to be held in London, UK, next month. His passion to document Lepcha rituals and practises and the precision with which he does so will definitely serve the present and future generations of Lepchas well.
Both individuals were aptly feted.

The day began with ritual prayers, followed by a traditional cultural programme, distribution of tso, traditional flute play and a quiz on history. Solo songs were also performed.
The programme was attended by Power Minister, Sonam Gyatso Lepcha, who is also the Dzongu MLA, Zilla Adhyaksha(N), Khamsoom Lepcha, SCPCR chairperson, C Saring, Renjong Mutanchi Rong Tarjum president, Sonam Dupden, ex-MLA, Loden Lepcha, former chairpersons NT Lepcha and Pintso Lepcha, Mutanchi Lom Aal Shejum president, Mika Lepcha, MNP counsilor, PK Malu, Munsolong organizing committee and MLAS members and people from Dzongu and Mangan.
The MLAS culture-coordinator, Namgyal Lepcha delivered the historical background of Munsolong Athing.
The MLAS president further informed that a statue of Munsolong is proposed to be established in Dzongu at Manik-chu just near the Passingdang BAC.
He further shared plans to establish an eco-friendly garment manufacturing unit in Dzongu using Kuzu Sorong (Bhangray Sishnu) which, apart from generating an economic activity, will also celebrate a unique traditional skill of the Lepchas. He requested the Minister to look into the early clearance of this proposal.
The Minister, in his address, congratulated both the felicitated personalities and lauded them for their consistent work towards working for the conservation of Lepcha culture. He also underlined the importance of education to secure Lepcha sense of self and identity and called on all to prioritise education of their wards and to instil positivity in them.
He also informed the gathering the from 06 to 10 June, the Chief Minister will be in North Sikkim as part of his Sikkim tour when he will be interacting with the people and when the public and the Panchayats could place genuine developmental demands for their respective areas.