Publish with Us

Follow Penguin

Follow Penguinsters

Follow Penguin Swadesh

Legends of the Lepchas

Legends of the Lepchas

Yishey Doma
Select Preferred Format
Buying Options
Paperback / Hardback

‘In the beginning there was nothing but vast emptiness on earth and in the sky. Itbu-moo, the Mother Creator, shaped the mountains, rivers and lakes. But something was missing. Why did her creation feel empty? So, taking a fresh ball of snow, she created the first man . . . and then the first woman. These became the chief deities of the Lepchas.’

Thus begins one of the stories in this delightful book, a compilation of folk tales of the Lepchas, passed down through the ages.
Custodians of a language and script of the same name, the Lepchas inhabit regions that currently fall under the state of Sikkim, in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, Ilam district of eastern Nepal and the south-western parts of Bhutan. Ancient lore suggests that they have inhabited in the region from time immemorial.

The tales included in this collection-describing gods, goddesses, people, animals and nature in a cohesive world where one cannot do without the other-skilfully bring to life the beliefs and rich culture of this unique community. Accompanying each short story are stunning illustrations, etching the lyrical sweep and mood of the tale.

Imprint: Ebury Press

Published: May/2023

ISBN: 9780143460671

Length : 152 Pages

MRP : ₹299.00

Legends of the Lepchas

Yishey Doma

‘In the beginning there was nothing but vast emptiness on earth and in the sky. Itbu-moo, the Mother Creator, shaped the mountains, rivers and lakes. But something was missing. Why did her creation feel empty? So, taking a fresh ball of snow, she created the first man . . . and then the first woman. These became the chief deities of the Lepchas.’

Thus begins one of the stories in this delightful book, a compilation of folk tales of the Lepchas, passed down through the ages.
Custodians of a language and script of the same name, the Lepchas inhabit regions that currently fall under the state of Sikkim, in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, Ilam district of eastern Nepal and the south-western parts of Bhutan. Ancient lore suggests that they have inhabited in the region from time immemorial.

The tales included in this collection-describing gods, goddesses, people, animals and nature in a cohesive world where one cannot do without the other-skilfully bring to life the beliefs and rich culture of this unique community. Accompanying each short story are stunning illustrations, etching the lyrical sweep and mood of the tale.

Buying Options
Paperback / Hardback

Yishey Doma

A journalist and poet, Yishey Doma has written several books on Sikkim, including Sikkim: A Hidden Fruitful Valley, Faith Healers of Sikkim: Traditions, Legends and Rituals, and The Splendour of Sikkim: Cultures and Traditions of the Ethnic Communities. Her articles on the life and culture in the Sikkim Himalayas have appeared in several newspapers and magazines, as well as in her book Sikkim: A Travel Companion.


A student of Sikkimese Buddhist philosophy, she has contributed to the award-winning documentary, Lama Dances of Sikkim, and also created a book database on the monasteries and temples of Sikkim.


Yishey's short story 'Mantras of Love' won the MSN-Random House short story contest in 2012, and was published in the anthology She Writes. She is a recipient of the Sikkim Sahitya Samman, one of Sikkim's top civilian awards, and the first North Eastern Poetry Award from the Poetry Society (India). She was also one of the first writers-in-residence at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

error: Content is protected !!