Lepcha

Lepcha refers to an indigenous ethnic group of the eastern Himalayas, primarily in the Indian state of Sikkim and in parts of West Bengal's Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts. Smaller communities are found in Nepal and Bhutan. They are among the oldest inhabitants of the region. In the Lepcha language, they call themselves Rong or Rongpa, while the name Lepcha is the exonym widely used in surrounding areas.

The Lepcha language (often called Rong) belongs to the Sino-Tibetan language family; many scholars regard it as a language with no clearly proven relatives or as a distinct branch within Tibeto-Burman. It comprises several dialects and is traditionally written in the indigenous Lepcha script, developed in the early modern period. The language is considered endangered, with younger generations increasingly using Nepali, Hindi, or English.

Traditional Lepcha society emphasized clan ties and subsistence agriculture; many Lepchas practiced shamanism through Bongthing healers, while others adopted Buddhism or Christianity. Cultural life includes distinctive music, dress, and festivals tied to agricultural cycles. In contemporary times, Lepchas participate in regional civic life and work in agriculture, tourism, education, and public administration. In Sikkim, they are recognized as a distinct ethnic group with cultural preservation initiatives and language-revival efforts.