Kinship Terms

The kinship terms in Rongaring (Lepcha language) is small in number so the same word can be used to denote different kinships depending upon the person one is interacting with. Except for the maternal brothers there is no marked difference between the terms used to refer to both paternal and maternal relations. For example the word AAZONG can be used to refer to brother in law from the elder sister’s side or sister in law from the elder brother’s side but it can be used for reference to both brothers and sisters of one’s siblings’ spouse. When referring to relations younger than the speaker there is no marked distinction for different sex.
The rong word for father is AAbo and for mother is AAMU. But when in direct conversation with one’s parents generally the words aapa (for father) and aamu(for mother) are used. But in many parts of Sikkim the influence of the nepali language pretty evident in the use of the words AAMA for mother. The word AABo is used only while referring to one’s father and is seldom used to address him, the word AAPA becoming more prevalent. A male child usually retains his father’s clan (aboputso) while the daughter is eligible for her mother’s clan (amuputso). The word Anum is used to refer as well as address one’s elder brother and the word Anom is used in the same way for one’s elder sister. Like mentioned before, irrespective of the sex, a sibling junior than the speaker is addressed to as eng. In the same way the nephew and niece both are referred to as naamkup.
Grandparents, both from the father’s as well as mother’s side are referred to as "thyukung"(grandfather) and "nyukung"(grandmother). Since Lepcha people have a great respect for elder people these words are also used to refer to elderly people with much love and affection. A very important point to mention here- Lepcha considers the use of names to address kin or a fellow Lepcha a very disrespectful manner. Thus the use of the Lepcha kin words has sustained without much change down the history.
The Lepcha tradition of respect shown to elders is evident from the difference in the use of kin words for elder relations as that compared to junior relations. The elder brother of the father (Uncle in English) becomes ABO TIMBU (elder father) or ABOTIM or simply BOTIM and his wife is addressed to as MOTIM. The younger brother of the father is addressed to as AKU and his wife is addressed as ANEU. The elder sister of one’s father is referred to as MOTIM and her husband becomes BOTIM. In the same context the brothers (both elder and younger) of one’s mother becomes AAJYONG and his wife is ANEU. But these words are not limited to one’s immediate relatives only. The entire people of the village are addressed by any one of the above words depending upon their addressing to one’s father and mother. Even strangers are referred to with the above words thus creating a sense of closeness and welcome. This clearly elaborates the simplicity and warmth of the Lepchas with each other.
The word NYOM is used to refer to both daughter-in-law as well as younger sister-in-law. But the same word is also used while speaking of one’s wife with others. The word MYOK is used in the same way for the son-in-law, brother-in-law as well as one’s husband while speaking with others.
The elders in the village are given the utmost respect and their advice sought in every walk of life. "AATHING" is the most respectful term for a man and is used for high officials (eg. The Kazi landlords) and male supernatural (eg. Aathing Rathap a legendary warrior). The female equivalent of AATHING is ANYOU.
All the above system of kinships exhibits the close knit society of the Lepchas.
The changing times have had some effect on the above mentioned kinship of the Lepchas. The influence of other cultures and media has introduced into the modern Lepchas’ households terms like "mummy", "daddy", "uncle", "aunty" etc. But the integrity exhibited by this age old system of kinships among the Lepchas is as strong as ever.