Sonam Lepcha with his artefacts. Picture by Chinlop Fudong Lepcha

Kalimpong, May 25: Crammed into a display room about 20ft by 30ft lie the only relics of a tribe that have recently been accorded special status.

Perceived by residents and tourists to be the only Lepcha museum in the world, it is actually a private collection of more than 400 artefacts, painstakingly put together by 77-year-old Sonam Tshering Lepcha. The artefact, some dating back more than 500 years, showcase the history and tradition of the Lepcha people.

When the Lepcha Tribal Association acquired a small building in 1985, it allowed the passionate collector to use a room in it to display his collection of antique items. Since then, the place has been the favourite haunt of residents and tourists who want to catch a glimpse of the tribe?s glorious past. Looking around this ramshackle ?museum?, one will come across a 400-year-old thongfree (container made of bamboo to measure grain), a plank, almost 500 years old and supposed to be part of a Lepcha house and even a 300- year-old mortar and pestle made of wood and stone. A 400-year-old folding ladder, made of bamboo twine, a 300-year-old shangur (a whip with metal teeth used in war) and lots of religious Lepcha books each more than a 100 years old, also feature among the amateur collection.

The museum does not charge an entry fee and the only monetary aid is in the form of donations made by tourists. Lack of enough space and financial constraints are gradually threatening to strangle this pioneer venture. Sonam also feels that musical instruments, weapons, utensils and books should be displayed separately for the benefit of the visitors.

?Restoration and cleaning of these relics needs expertise and I have tremendous problems in preserving them. I visit the city museums and try to find out about the ways and means to preserve the relics, but that is hardly enough,? Sonam said.

?The museum is open to visitors only when I am here. This is because I cannot employ anyone for its maintenance,? he added. ?I have written to the DGHC for a chowkidar to be recruited to look after the museum.?