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The Tamang
The Tamangs claim their origin from four families,
viz. Bal, Yonjon, Moktan, Ghising. Their two main divisions are Bara Tamang and
Atharajat.
Bara
Tamang is socially superior. Tamangs have a similarity with the Gurangs. Their
language is similar to Gurang Kura. By religion the Tamangs are Lamaist
Buddhists.
The Newar
The Newar are originally agriculturists and masons.
But in
Sikkim many of them have taken to trade. The Newars of Sikkim are mostly
Hindus.
 Gurkhas
Of the Gurkhas who settled in
Sikkim,
the Brahmins have the highest
social standing. They are mainly agriculturists and are mostly orthodox
Hindus and would not normally have any matrimonial relations with
other lower castes. But with the passage of time, rigidity of social attitude
and behaviour is fast disappearing. In the urban areas Brahmins are found
marrying non-Brahmins, taking up a variety of professions other than
priest hood and mixing freely with others.
Thakurs
Next in social rank are the
Thakurs.
A Thakur is also entitled
to wear sacred thread. Inter-marriage among certain class of
Thakurs is permissible while marriage with members of other classes is
restricted.
Chettris
The Chettris are next in rank.
They also wear sacred thread and
have Brahmanical prejudices. Though inter-marriage is common, they
prefer marriage only among their own class.
In
Sikkim,
inter-marriage among these higher castes is not uncommon. Traditionally a Gurkha can possess any number of wives.
A wife taken
through formal ceremonial marriage is called a 'Behaite 'while others are called
'Lihaites'. But this practice is now on the wane. Divorce is permissible. Both
man and wife can refer any plea for divorce to the village elders who decide it.
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