1 week ago
Sikkim’s Lepcha Instruments Gain GI Recognition Through Forest Heritage
The Lepcha people of Sikkim make special musical instruments from materials found in nature.
The Tungbuk is a three-stringed instrument made from wood and parchment.
The Pumtong Pulit is a flute made from bamboo.
People play them during songs, dances and ceremonies.
The flute can also imitate sounds from nature.
India gave both instruments a Geographical Indication, or GI, registration in November 2025.
This means their connection to Sikkim and Lepcha culture is officially recognised and protected.
The group supporting the application also wants to plant more of the bamboo needed to make the flutes.
Protecting the forests and bamboo can therefore help keep the music alive.
India granted GI registration to the traditional Lepcha instruments Tungbuk and Pumtong Pulit on 5 November 2025.
The Tungbuk is a three-stringed instrument made from softwood and parchment, while the Pumtong Pulit is a four-hole bamboo flute.
Both instruments are used in Lepcha music, songs, dances and ceremonies in Sikkim.
Mutanchi Lom Aal Shezum plans youth workshops, awareness programmes and plantations of bamboo species used to make the flute.
The recognition links cultural preservation with protecting the forests and bamboo resources that sustain the instruments.
- Who
- The Lepcha community of Sikkim, Mutanchi Lom Aal Shezum and the Government of India are central to the story.
- What
- The traditional Lepcha instruments Tungbuk and Pumtong Pulit received Geographical Indication registration.
- Where
- Sikkim, India, particularly the Lepcha cultural landscape.
- When
- The registration was granted on 5 November 2025; it was reported on 13 November 2025.
- Why
- The GI recognition protects the instruments’ geographical identity and supports preservation of Lepcha cultural traditions tied to local wood and bamboo.
Key facts
- Instruments
- Tungbuk and Pumtong Pulit
- GI registration date
- 5 November 2025
- GI category
- Musical Instrument
- Tungbuk materials
- Softwood and parchment
- Pumtong Pulit material
- Bamboo
- Tungbuk dimensions
- Approximately 36 inches long, 11 inches in diameter and six inches high
- Planned conservation work
- Workshops, awareness programmes and plantations of Po and Poyong bamboo
Quotes
Prem Singh Tamang
Chief Minister of Sikkim who publicly congratulated the Lepcha community on the instruments’ GI registration
“I extend my heartiest congratulations to the Lepcha community of Sikkim on the proud achievement of receiving the Geographical Indication (GI) registration for the traditional musical instruments Tungbuk and Puntong Palit.”
thebetterindia.com
Sources
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