History of Sikkimese Bhutia or Denzong Lho-Po.

The revelation of ancient scripts points out that the migration of high-ranking lamas and their entourage which included general people had been migrating to Sikkim in stages since the 8th century for both religious and secular purposes. This group of people later on were identified and accorded the title of Denzong Lho- Po or the Sikkimese Bhutia.
It is acknowledged and accepted that the Lepchas had inhabited Sikkim since times immemorial however there is no written document to substantiate this point. In one of the texts written by HE Yangthan Rimpochi, it is mentioned that during the 8th century when Guru Padmasambhava visited Sikkim from Tibet and had blessed every nook and corner of the land, he had encountered the then Lepcha chieftain Thekong Salang and his wife and had preached them the Buddha Dharma and vested in them the power of immortality. He then asked the Lepcha couple to foster and nurture Bayul Demazong and its Ter or hidden treasures (which consisted of scriptures and objects of Dharma) until the arrival of Lhatsun Chempo in the 17th century. It may therefore be reasonably presumed that people accompanying Guru Padmashabhava or Guru Rimpochi and his followers from Tibet may have settled as early as 8th century in Sikkim.
The second wave of mass migration took place in the year 1268 AD and onwards when the descendant of the Min Yak dynasty, Khey Bumsa was advised by his ministers, higher ranking Lamas, elders and his oracles to seek blessings from Thekong Tek and Nyokung Ngal who had the power of progeny. Accordingly, Khey Bumsa left for Bayul Demazong along with a huge ensemble of followers through the Chola range and arrived successfully. His wish was granted and after sometime he wants back but a large section of his people wished to remain back believing in the prophecy of Guru Padmasambhava that Beyul Demazong was a destined place for their future generation.
The Third wave of Bhutia migration took place in the year 1373 AD and onwards when Rigdzin Godemchen a Tertron (great revealer of the Northern treasure) and a founder of Changter School of Philosophy, of the Nyingma Sect visited Bayul Demazong along with his retinue of followers. To fulfill the prophecy of Guru Padmasambhava and to spread the message of Buddha Dharma among the inhabitants of Bayul Demazong, Rigdzing Godemchen stayed for eight years and during his stay transmigration between Tibet and Sikkim took place on a large scale. This is mentioned in Denzong Neyeg (Prophecies related to Denzong). It is believed that Ridzing Godemchen described the location of Bayul Demazong and its tranquility which he messaged to his correspondents at Tibet using a vulture. It may be presumed that the sectarian conflict that had impaired Tibet during the 14th century had compelled the Nyingma Sect to look out for a more peaceful retreat to carry out their Dharma and co-exist with the aborigines in peace. This trend of migration continued with the coming of Tetron Ngarig Lekden Dorjee who was born in 1500AD, Mon Karthok Sonam Gyaltsen and many Lamas, monks and their families who settled in Bayul Demazong.
Since, the Bhutias had been migrating in stages over many years their settlement also grew. Over these centuries relationship between the Bhutias and the native Lepchas grew which was further strengthened by the swearing of the Blood Brotherhood between Khey Bumsa and Thekong Tek. This growing affiliation of the Bhutias and the Lepchas was instrumental in the process of state formation and political consolidation under Phuntsog Namgyal. The Bhutias who were settled in different parts of Bayul Demazong along with the native Lepchas associated themselves to the newly formed centralized administration of the Phuntsog Namgyal and hence a new chapter in the history of Sikkim was written.
The Bhutias belong to the mongoloid race and call themselves Lho Pos or Lhorees which means the dwellers of south. The Bhutias are divided into several sub-groups. As legend has it Khey Bumsa who was blessed with progeny by Thekong Tek and Nyukong Ngal had three sons named Kyaboe Rab, Langmo Rap and Mipon Rap who then crossed the chains of mountains and settled in Libing, Taktse and Gangtok in present day East Sikkim.
It is said that the first son Kyabo rab’s descendants did not remain long in Libing, and constantly changed their residence, moving eastwards: thus, they obtained the family name “Yul-thonpa” meaning the migrants. The present day Euthenpa or Ethenpa trace their origins to this son. The Second son Langmo Rab later migrated to the present day Simik Lingzey, East Sikkim and thereby his descendants got the family title Lingzerpa. The third son Mipon Rab, who succeeded his father, married a lady from Sakya and four sons. The first son being born at his Uncle’s palace at Tibet was named Shangpo-dharpa or Shangdarpa, the second being born on the tenth day on the month of Guru Tse chu named Tshechu- darpa, the third being born on Sunday was named as Nyima Gyalpo and the fourth son who was born on the occasion of Tashi Rabne or the consecration ceremony of Guru Padmasambhava statue named as Guru Tashi who became the successor to his father as new ruler of his clan.
The first king Phuntsog Namgyal was the fourth generation from Guru Tashi. From one of the sons of Guru Tashi present Shenga clan trace their origin and this title was later on attributed to them later by Lama Denzingpa of Pemayangtse during the reign of 7th Chogyal Tsugphud Namgyal.
However, their father gave them the title of Tong-du Ru –zhi which means four pillars of clans, each one embodies the strength of one thousand men as their grandfather who had earned a title of Khey Bumsa. Tong-du Ru zhi later became the four principal clans of the Bhutia of Sikkim, after the formation of two branch clans i.e., Yulthonpa and Lingzerpa.
At the same period some of the relatives from Hah (Bhutan) migrated to Denzong via Chumbi, who were said to be the descendants of the three brothers of Khey Bumsa. However, they later gained the title of “Bey Tshen- Gyad” or eight related clans namely:

1. Bhonpo (presently styled as Phempo)
2. Gonsangpa or Gensarpa
3. Nam Tsangkorpa
4. Tagchungdharpa
5. Kartshokpa
6. Gyongtoedpa
7. Tshungyapa or Chingapa
8. Dokhaam or Dokhampa

The direct descendants of Miwang Chogyals later formed the aristocratic family or Ponrig and the clan generally known as the Kazi is originated from the diverse noble families of the then kingdom.
Many other clans were formed through the descendants of High lama and their attendants who came to Sikkim after formation of the Namgyal dynasty. Such as Wozerlingpa, Dorjelingpa, Chakthakpa, Tsangkharpa etc.
Besides the above, there are other families that migrated to Denzong at various times since the establishment of the Namgyal dynasty, and were divided into eight groups. They gained their title as under by the name of their birth place or manner of origin respectively.

1. Bhutshopo
2. Lag-dingpa or Ladingpa
3. Gyodrongpa
4. Ghyenpo
5. Ghyenpo
6. Toedpo or Toepo
7. Shah-po or Shahp
8. Barphung Phutsho
9. Aden Phutsho

The above serial No.1 to 6 are said to be originated from the daughters of the Bumsa’s three brother who had migrated to Hah and Paro in Bhutan whereas the latter who were formed after matrimonial alliance with the Lepchas of Denzong and have their own history about the formation of clans.
The fourth group of Bhutias consists of those who had migrated from the lower ridges of Mochu, Chumbi Valley and in later period was identified as Chumbipas which were also sud-divided into following clans:

1. Lhamdarpa
2. Genyen Phutsho
3. Agon Phutsho
4. Athub Phutsho
5. Doshoipa or Dozhodpa
6. Khyimbarpa

They are mostly found in Kabi and Phensang areas of North Sikkim.
There are also other families who titles are in many cases derived from local features as mentioned by HH Risley. Among them are:

1. Mangpopa or Mangbeypa
2. Namangbo or Namangpa
3. Shag-Tshangpa or Shatshangpa
4. Ganggyap-pa
5. Lahokpa
6. Matshaam or Matshangpa
7. Pathingpa
8. Pheriep or Pheripa
9. Kagyepa

These groups of Tribes are found inhabited mostly in South Eastern Regions of Sikkim.
by Dr. Kunzang Namgyal Lachungpa