Lepchas watching the cultural programme. Picture by Chinlop Fudong Lepcha

Kalimpong, Dec. 20: Members of the Lepcha community today poured in from different parts of the country to celebrate one of the most important events in their calendar, the 273rd birth anniversary of King Gaeboo Achyok, widely believed to have been the last Lepcha king.

The birth anniversary celebrations are considered an integral part of promoting and preserving the community?s identity and heritage.

The event started off early in the morning with the members of the community, who had come down to the quaint and sleepy subdivision from Sikkim, Delhi and even far off Bhutan, offering prayers and thanksgiving to Achyok at Damsang Fort around 20 km from here.

The fort there, along with the one at Dalim, is believed to have been built by the king himself.

The prayers gave way to a colourful cultural programme where youths could be seen swaying to the rhythmic beats in ethnic garments at Bong Bustee.

According to members of the community, Achyok was the last king of the Lepchas of Damsang with his seat at Pedong.

Twenty-nine-year-old David Lepcha, who is based in Delhi, said: ?This is one of the most important occasions for the Lepchas here. It is not only the birth anniversary of the last Lepcha king but also the beginning of our new year for which the celebrations start on December 14 and end on December 20. It is an excellent opportunity for us to get together and preserve our heritage.?

Senior members of the community believe the celebrations will also help to promote the Lepcha language.

?The programmes will be in Lepcha and community members will converse in their mother tongue today,? said L.S. Tamsang, the general secretary of Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association.