The Bhutia (བོད་རིགས; Sikkimese: Drenjongpa/Drenjop; Tibetan: འབྲས་ལྗོངས་པ་, Wylie: Bras-ljongs-pa; “inhabitants of Sikkim”.) are a community of Sikkimese people living in the state of Sikkim in northeastern India, who speak Drenjongke or Sikkimese, a Tibetic language fairly mutually intelligible with standard Tibetan. In 2001, the Bhutia numbered around 60,300. Bhutia here refers to people of Tibetic ancestry. There are many clans within the Bhutia tribe and Inter-Clan marriages are preferred rather than marriages outside of the tribe. The language spoken by the Bhutias in Sikkim is Sikkimese, which is 75% mutually intelligible with Tibetan and Dzongkha, the language of Bhutan. Most Bhutias practice the Nyingma school, followed by the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. The Bhutias are spread out over Sikkim, Bhutan, Uttarkhand, Himachal and Nepal and districts of Kalimpong and Darjeeling in West Bengal. Bhotiya or Bhot (Nepali: भोटिया, Bhotiyā) is an Indian and Nepali exonym lumping together various ethnic groups speaking Tibetic languages, as well as some groups speaking other Tibeto-Burman languages living in the Transhimalayan region that divides India from Tibet. The word Bhotiya comes from the classical Tibetan name for Tibet, བོད, bod. The Bhotiya speak numerous languages including Ladakhi. The Indian recognition of such language is Bhoti / Bhotia having Tibetan scripts and it lies in the Parliament of India to become one of the official languages through Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Bhutia, also spelled Bhotia, also called Bhote or Ngalops, Himalayan people who are believed to have emigrated southward from Tibet in the 8th or 9th century CE. The Bhutia constitute a majority of the population of Bhutan, where they live mainly in the western and central regions of the country, and form minorities in Nepal and India, particularly in the Indian state of Sikkim. They speak various languages of the Tibeto-Burman branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family. They are mountain dwellers who live in small villages and isolated homesteads that are separated by almost impassable terrain. They practice a terraced agriculture on the mountain slopes, their main crops being rice, corn (maize), and potatoes. Some of them are animal breeders, known for their cattle and yaks. Most Bhutia practice a form of Tibetan Buddhism, a Central Asian–Himalayan version of Vajrayana. More specifically, most are followers of the Drukpa subsect of Kagyu (Bka’-brgyud-pa), which is one of the two (of four) branches of Vajrayana practiced in Bhutan. Bhutanese Buddhism contains an admixture of the pre-Buddhist shamanism known as Bon. Drukpa adherents recognize the Gyalwang Drukpa as their spiritual leader. Traditional Bhutia society was feudalistic, with most of the population working as tenants of a landowning nobility, although there were few marked differences in ways of life between landowners and tenants. Slaves, most of them descended from captives taken in raids on Indian territory, were also part of the social order. In the 1960s Bhutan’s government formally abolished slavery and sought to break up the large estates; the nobility were also deprived of their hereditary titles.
Bhutia (also Bhot, Bhotia, Bhute) is a generic term that identifies several socially unrelated groups of India’s northern mountain rim. The name Bhutia, thought to be derived from “Bhot” or “Bod,” which means “Tibet,” reflects the Bhutia’s origins. The Bhutia are believed to have emigrated southward from Tibet in the 9th century AD or sometime after and settled in the Himalayan mountain ranges along the Indo-Tibetan border. Although they are Tibetan in origin and retain Tibetan cultural traits, many Bhutia groups have adopted elements of Hindu culture. Bhutia society is transitional, representing a blending of Hindu-dominated South Asian and Buddhist Central Asian cultures. Although the various Bhutia groups of the Himalayas exhibit social, cultural, and religious differences, they do have certain features in common. All live in a mountain habitat and traditionally have been involved in trade across the Himalayas between South Asia and Tibet. The Bhutias occupy a narrow belt of mountainous territory that lies along on the southern flanks of the Himalayas. This zone extends from the kingdom of Bhutan in the eastern Himalayas, through Nepal and the northern mountain states of India, to the mountains and plateaus of the Ladakh region of Kashmir. Population data for the Bhutia are unreliable, although their numbers exceed 1 million. They make up approximately 50% of Bhutan’s population (approximately 400,000), and form minorities in Nepal (200,000) and India (200,000).
Bhutias are known for their hearty and mouthwatering cuisine which include- momos and soupy noodles (thukpa). While these tribals may be landlocked in the harsh terrain bordered by the Indian Himalaya, they are known for their dance, music and religion. These tribals are found in Sikkim. The Bhutias are mainly found in Sikkim and parts of West Bengal and Tripura. They are of Tibetan ancestry and speak Lhopo or Sikkimese language. They are known for their art and cuisine. The steamed meat dumplings called momos are their staple food. Thukpa, noodles in a broth, is another of their dishes. Losar and Loosong are the festivals celebrated.
Literally the word ‘Bhutia’ has been derived from the Nepalese language called “Bhotay”which means the people of the Bhot (Tibet). They are the Tibetan origin. They migrated from southern parts of the Tibet like Chumbi Valley, Kham etc. in the thirteen century. In their own language the they called themselves as ‘Lhopos’ or ‘Lhorees’ which means the dweller of the southward and one of the earliest inhabitants of “The Greater Sikkim”. They were the descendents of Kye_Bum_Sa. Kye_Bum_Sa was the chieftain of Bhutia people. Kye_Bum_Sa has three sons namely i) Kya-bo-rab (Swindler) ii) Mi-pon-rab (leader of men) and iii) Lang-bo-rab (Plough Men). Kya_Bo_rab has always shifted from one place to another and even they always changing their living place so that his descendent was also known as “Yul_Ten_pa”. The descendent of Lang_Bo_Rab was called “Linzer_pa”. The most intellectual son of Kye_Bum_Sa was Mi_Pon_Rab. He had married with the Sakya lady and he has four sons, the eldest son named called “Zhan_Po_Tar” because this son was born at his maternal uncle’s house. Second son named called “Tshes_Behu_Tar” means was born on the 10th the day of the month. Third son named called “Nyi_Ma Gyaspa” means born on the Sunday. And last son named called “Guru Tashi” the Saint one. Lingserpa, the descendents of these who gradually got separated afar were said to have been called Beb_Tsan_Gyat (8 Clans) these are Phenpas, ii) Gonsarpas or Gantaputas, iii) Namtsangkors, iv) Tagchungdars, v) Karsorpas, vi) Gyonto_pas, vii) Tsungyapas and viii) Topas or Dokhangpas. Again Phenpas are sub-divided into five classes. These are i) Nadik ii) Lhasung iii) Wo-Cha-Bonpos, iv) Nabons and v) Phenchung. All these constituted the original Bhutia clans who settled in Sikkim prior to time of Chogyal Phungtsog Namgyal in the year 1642.
Bhutia tribes, one of the prominent tribes residing in West Bengal, are mostly found in hilly districts of West Bengal, including Darjeeling and Kalimpong. These Bhutia tribes have crossed various passes of Himalaya region. These tribal groups are also known as Lachenpas or Lachungpas, which connotes the meaning dwellers of Lachen or Lachung respectively. Moreover, the Bhutias residing in Sikkim are known as Denzongpa, meaning the inhabitants of Denzong, which is the Tibetan name for Sikkim. The aristocrats of the Bhutia tribes were called Kazis and they were an essential part of Chogyal monarchy. The Bhutia tribes generally speak in Sikkimese language. This language has got similarity with some of the foreign languages. Also Nepali language is widely spoken by quite a number of Bhutia tribes. Apart from these, these tribes also speak in Hindi, Bhutia, Lepcha, and English. The Bhutia tribes are mostly farmers, producing several vegetables and fruits. Some of them also have developed expertise in weaving. Woolens, shawls are popular in various markets of West Bengal as well as its nearby provinces. Another occupation of the Bhutias is breeding yaks and sheep.
Bhutia tribes are of the Tibetan origin. They migrated to Sikkim around 16th century. In the northern part of the Sikkim where they are the major inhabitants, they are known as the Lachenpas and Lachungpas. Majority of the Bhutias are concentrated in the dry valley of the north Sikkim. Bhutia tribes usually speak Sikkimese. Apart from that they also speak Lepcha, Bhutia, Nepali, English and Hindi. Bhutia male wear Bakhu which is a loose traditional dress with the full sleeves. While the women dress consists of Silken Honju, which is the full sleeves blouse and a loose gown type garment. Female also prefer wearing jewellery of pure Gold. Bhutias forms 14% of the total population of Sikkim. They are extremely warm hearted and simple people. They prefer living in the joint families. A Bhutia house called Khin is usually built in the rectangular shape . Most Bhutia follow tantric Buddhism. The legal system among the Bhutias is termed as the Dzumsa, which means the rendezvous point of the common masses. Dzumsa is headed by Pipon who is the village headsmen. It ensured law and order and is responsible for conservation practises such as grazing, cultivation programs and the seasonal development of the community. Agriculture is the main source of occupation among the Bhutias. While some of them are also herdsmen and the breeder of sheep and yaks.
Bhutias are a Sikkimese ethnic group who live in the northern Indian state of Sikkim and speak Drenjongke or Sikkimese. People of Tibetan heritage are referred to as “Bhutia.” The Bhutia tribe is divided into various clans, and unions within the clan are preferred over couplings outside of it.
Where to meet Bhutia tribes in India:
- All over the state of Sikkim
- Kalimpong and Darjeeling districts of West Bengal
- Parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand
The Bhuita migrated to Sikkim from Tibet and live in the Lachen and Lachung regions of North Sikkim. The people here speak Bhutia, which is a dialect of the Tibetan language. This tribe is known as the most developed and educated people. Bhutia mostly works in government sectors and business. The women of the tribe are popular for wearing heavy pure gold jewellery. Their houses are also quite unique and are mostly rectangular in shape. They are called Khin. Sheep and yak breeding are the main sources of their business.
The traditional dress of the people of Sikkim and Bhutias is the Bakhu (according to the Nepalese dialect) or Kho (according to the Bhutia dialect). Worn by men and women alike, Bakhu is very similar to the Tibetan Chuba, except that it is sleeveless. It is a loose cloak-like garb that is tied at the neck and tightened around the waist by a belt made of silk or cotton. The Bakhu has found modifications over the years. Women nowadays pair it with a pair of jeans to add a western twist to the look. Shawls popularly known as Majetro and classy blouse designs like Chaubandi Cholo and Tharo Cholo are also in fashion. Overlooking the landlocked region of Sikkim, the Bhutia tribe are widely known for their tribe names, traditional grandeur, art, and cuisine. A traveller cannot ignore the unique preparation of momo, steamed meat dumplings, and thumpy. The Bhutia tribe constitutes a majority of the total population of Bhutan. Inhabitants of the Bhutia tribe love to consume beef and other fat-fried animal meat, occasionally pork and mutton. Losar and Loosong are some of the main festivals celebrated by the tribe of Bhutia.
The Kho or Bakhu is a traditional dress worn bland Bhutia, ethnic Sikkimese people of Sikkim and Nepal. It is a loose, cloak-style garment that is fastened at the neck on one side and near the waist with a silk or cotton belt similar to the Tibetan chuba and to the Ngalop gho of Bhutan, but sleeveless. Women wear a silken, full-sleeve blouse called a honju inside the kho; a loose gown type garment fastened near the waist, tightened with a belt. Married women tie a multi-coloured striped apron of woolen cloth called pangden around their waist.
The Bhutia tribe, which is located above Sikkim, is well-known for its tribe names, historical grandeur, art, and cuisine. The distinctive preparation of momo, steaming beef dumplings, and thumpy cannot be disregarded by tourists. The majority of people in Bhutan belong to the Bhutia tribe. The Bhutia tribe’s members enjoy eating beef and other fried animal meat, as well as occasionally pork and mutton. Some of the major holidays observed by the Bhutia people include Losar and Loosong. Bhutia tribes are of the Tibetan origin. They migrated to Sikkim around 16th century. In the northern part of the Sikkim where they are the major inhabitants, they are known as the Lachenpas and Lachungpas. Majority of the Bhutias are concentrated in the dry valley of the north Sikkim. Bhutias usually prefer rice with the animal fat. They are common beef eaters. Some of their traditional costumes include Momos, Gya Thuk, Ningro with Churpi, Sidra Ko Achar, Saelroti, Shimi Ko Achar, Pakku, Kodo Ko Roti, Phapar Ko Roti, Silam Ko Achar, Phulaurah Gundruk, Phagshapa, Sael Roti. They are also fond of Chaang (the millet bear). It is served in the special bamboo container called Tongba with the hollow pipe made of Bamboo.
Indigenous Peoples Literature 