Crucial Impact of Globalization among Lepchas of Village Ranka, North Sikkim, India

Abstract

Globalization can be explained as a process by the means of which any idea, goods, traditions or customs becomes international or simply we can say it becomes “global” and reaches people spread across whole world. Globalization puts an impact on every society. Hence, this paper highlights the Crucial Impact of Globalization among Lepchas of North Sikkim. Lepchas are the original inhabitants of Sikkim. The Lepchas are of mongoloid stock and some anthropologist trace their origins to Mongolia or Tibet. However, the Lepchas themselves have no such history of migration in their traditional knowledge. They believe themselves to be the natives of the Sikkim and even consider Mt. Kanchenjunga as the abode of their ancestors. Globalization has put an impact on every aspect of Lepcha people. They were followers of simple tradition but due to globalization and modernization (Modernization is a by-product of Globalization) their traditions are changing and they are adapting the global ways of life which is endangering their own traditions, knowledge and values. As they have accepted several fruits of globalization with open arms hence their social life has changed a lot along with economic and political life. The change is so observable that number of traditional Lepchas has reduced significantly and they can be seen only in few areas. This paper highlights the both positive and negative impact of globalization and tries to present the factors promoting globalization among Lepchas.

Keywords: Crucial, Globalization, Modernization, Endangered, Impact, Change Lepcha