Lepcha Language

Lepcha is a language spoken by the Lepcha people in Sikkim, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, and parts of Nepal and Bhutan. Lepcha script in 7th century was known as Rong Chhyo.

History

As per royal chronicles of the Sikkim, the third ruler of Sikkim Chagdor Namgyal was the one who designed the alphabets of the Lepcha Language, during early 18th century. However, Mr. K.P.Tamsang claimed that Lepcha scripts have existed long before Bhutias came to Sikkim. The oath of blood treaty was not only sworn between Khe-Bumsa, and the The-kong-Tek, the Lepcha divine priest, at Kabi Lungchok in the 13th century, but the blood treaty was then written and signed both in Lepcha and Tibetan, which clearly proves that Lepcha script existed during that period of time in Sikkim. However there is no physical evidence of the treaty of Kabi Lungchok in Lepcha or in Tibetan language. A Tibetan scholar Tsepon Shakabpa claimed that it was Lama Lhatsun, Nagkha Jigmed (1597-1650) gave the script of language to the Lepchas.

Publications

Sikkim Government has accorded Lepcha Language as official language of Sikkim in 1977. The Lepcha textbooks were developed in Education Department of the schools and colleges. College education on Lepcha Language was started in 2001. Lepcha grammar book was also written by General G.B. Minwaring of Bengal Staff Corps in 1876. The first Lepcha-English dictionary was published in 1898 by General G.B Minwaring. D.C Luksom wrote a Lepcha-Hindi-English Dictionary in 1983. The first Lepcha Reader Rong Arok Chhukalbo was published by Renjyong Mutanchi Ringmom Kurmom (Sikkim Lepcha Literary Organization in 1978.

Publication	Author	Year
First Lepcha grammar book	General G.B Mainwaring	1876
Lepcha-English Dictionary	General G.B Mainwaring	1898
First Lepcha-Hindi-English Dictionary	D.C Luksom	1983
First Lepcha Reader Rong Arok Chhukalbo	Renjyong Mutanchi Ringmom Kurmom	1978
Kongchen Kung Cho	Norgain Sangdyang and Mingama Lhamu	1987-1989
Rong Dungit Vom (Lepcha Folk Song)	Sonam Tshering Lepcha	1977
Kayu Rong Vom Chhyo (Lepcha Song Book)	Hildamit lepcha	1986

External Links

• Lepcha Fonts - Download non unicode Lepcha fonts created by Jason Glavy.