INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS, SOCIO-RELIGIOUS BELIEFS AND PRACTICES OF THE LEPCHA TRIBE OF DZONGU, SIKKIM

Abstract

Indigenous communities possess a rich body of knowledge which have been accumulated through the generations of observation, and everyday experiences fostered in their socio-religious beliefs and practices that revolve around nature like rivers and mountains. This paper presents an ethnographic account of the Lepcha’s indigenous knowledge system of Dzongu, Sikkim by locating socio-religious beliefs and practices in fostering the indigenous knowledge system. Further, it delineates the diverse experiences of the Lepcha emphasizing the need for a meticulous understanding of socio-religious beliefs and practices. To delve into the cultural practices of the target population, the paper falls in the realm of qualitative ethnographic framework thereby assisted by observation, interviews, and interpretative methods. The findings of the study suggest a strategy for preserving invaluable cultural assets further, ensuring their continued vitality for future generations.