TRADITIONAL LEPCHA HATS IN SIKKIM HIMALAYA

Abstract

The tribe Lepcha is known for the knowledge on bioresources across Sikkim Himalaya. The study is conducted to unravel the integrated knowledge embedded in the traditional hats of Lepcha. The traditional hats, Sumok Thyak Tuk and other one, Papre, are made up of Calamus leptospadix Griff, Schizostachyum capitatum (Munro) R.B Majumdar, Maranta arundinacea L, Rubia cordifolia L., Dendrocalamus hamiltonii Nees & Arn. ex Munro and The Greater Racker tailed Drongo (Dicrurus paradiseus). The detail information of integrated knowledge found in traditional Bamboo Hats of Lepcha, the social indicator of Lepcha tribe, is presented.