KINGCHUM

The role of Mount Kanchenjunga in Lepcha Social Life
KINGTSOOM ZAONGBOO CHOO: This is the Lepcha original name of Mt. Kanchenjunga. The Lepcha meaning of Kingtsoom Zaongboo Choo is the bright auspicious forehead peak, because the stately pinnacle of Mt. Kanchanjunga’s snow is wonderously tipped with red and gold under the first rays of the rising sun and the last rays of the setting sun. Also the cord of birth binds the Lepchas to this holy mountain peak and as such the Lepchas worship this Kingtsoom Zaongboo Choo as their guardian deity, for the Lepcha tradition says that their first progenitors Fodongthing and Nazaongnyoo were created by God from pure, virgin snows of Kingtsoom Zaongboo Choo’s pinnacle. The most adorable name ever conferred by the Lepchas of old Kingtsoom Zaongboo Choo, their place of very creation or birth. The mountain is thus invoked in every incantation by both the BONGTHING (male LEPCHA priest) and MUN (usually a female priestess but sometimes even male). It is much accepted fact that most Lepchas built their houses at locations which offers a clear view of their revered Mountain. Right from the birth, through adulthood and marriage till death, a lepcha prayer is incomplete without the devotion to the auspicious mountain