Sikkim has a lot to offer!
Picturesque views, peace, delicious delicacies, vibrant outfits, a rich and mesmerizing culture, and last but not least, beautiful dance forms, of course! Sikkim is also one of the only states in India, like Goa, that allows actual physical casinos legally. Everywhere else in the country, we have to find safe and trusted online casinos because brick-and-mortar casinos are only found in a handful of places like Sikkim.
Being a multi-ethnic state, Sikkim showcases a diverse culture and traditions followed by different communities present in the state.
Each tribe has its own clothing style which makes it different from other communities. The outfits adorned by the people not only showcase their traditions but also their social status and religious beliefs.
There are mainly 2 types of tribes present in Sikkim.
Here’s everything you need to know about the traditional dress of Sikkim adorned by these 2 tribes.
Traditional Dress of Sikkim For Men:
Bhutia Tribe
The outfits worn by people belonging to the Bhutia tribe are very similar to Tibetan outfit (known as Tibetan Chuba).
Read everything about this traditional dress of Sikkim below!
Traditional Dress of Sikkim For Men and Women:
Worn by men and women alike, Bakhu, also known as “Kho”, is the most famous Sikkim culture dress.
It is a loose cloak-like cloth piece that is tied at the neck and tightened around the waist with the help of a belt made of silk or cotton. Bakhu is very similar to the Tibetan Chuba, except for the fact that it is sleeveless.
Over the years as western culture’s influence has grown in the country, women have started wearing it with a pair of jeans to add a western twist to the traditional look.
Lepcha Tribe Sikkim Dress For Men :
Thokro Dum:
The main traditional outfit worn by the people of Lepcha tribe is known as Thokro Dum. It contains a pajama that goes up to the calves.
Thokro Dum is paired with a cap which is known as Shamo and a Yenthatse which is a traditional Lepcha shirt. They also wear cone-shaped bamboo and rattan hats at weddings as well as on special occasions such as festive and religious celebrations.
These hats are crafted with fine canes from bamboos, straws and leaves.
A hand-woven waist band called Dupra is pinned at one of the shoulders and then wrapped around the waist to give it a complete look.
The short length of the Pajama worn by the men has a significant meaning for the tribe. It indicates that the men are original inhabitants of marshy lands.
Lepcha Tribe Sikkim Dress For Women:
Sikkim culture dress for women of Lepcha tribe is made with a soft material that gives a very graceful and feminine look to a woman’s attire.
Dumvum:
The women of Lepcha community wear a traditional beautiful saree which is also known as a Dumvum or a Dumyam in the traditional Sikkim language.
This Sikkim culture dress goes down to the ankle and is really comfortable to wear. It not only helps women to look beautiful but also represents their honor and pride.
Women wear a loose-fitting blouse (also known as Tago) with this ankle-length saree. The blouse and the saree share a very contrasting color combination.
This entire look is enhanced with a belt called Nyamrek and taro which is a type of cap used to cover the head.
Traditional Sikkim Costumes:
The male costume of Lepcha tribe is made to help the men with their daily field chores. They are crafted keeping in mind the rugged nature of work done by the men in the fields and forests.
Men of Lepcha tribe wear “Dum Praa” which consists of the following patterns.
- Tagaap: The oldest Dum Praa design! It consists of floral designs and patterns.
- Khemchu: This particular style contains scissors motifs.
- Tamblyoak: This style of Sikkim traditional dress consists of butterflies’ patterns.
Shuruval:
Shuruval is a type of Sikkim culture dress that consists of a double-breasted and long garment. It is flowy in appeal.
The bottom part consists of a churidar. It is sometimes paired with a shirt which is also known as a Daura or a simple shirt.
This entire Sikkim traditional dress makes it really comfortable and stylish look for men to wear.
Changes In Sikkim Dresses Over The Years
Men and women in Sikkim have been adorning a pure traditional attire known as Bakhu paired with cotton or silk belts and leather boots.
But over the years as the trends have changed, there have been more additions to the traditional dress of Sikkim. Communities have started wearing a waistcoat popularly known as Jya Jya, shambo which is an embroidered cap and a jacket called Kushen along with the Sikkim traditional dress.
With these new additions, the overall traditional look of Sikkim has become more elegant and flattering.
So, these were the different types of traditional dress of Sikkim for men and women. Which of these traditional dresses did you like the most?
Tell us in the comments below!
Know more about traditional dress of Punjab here.
