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Yuksom Culture


The culture of Yuksom is predominantly Buddhist. The inhabitants of this region are mainly from Lepcha, Nepali and Bhutia tribes. Lepchas are the native tribes of Sikkim while Bhutias are the Tibetan residents who migrated from Tibet to Sikkim after the power clash between Yellow Hats and Red Hats. Nepali refugees have also found shelter in this historic town. The chief languages spoken in Yuksom include Lepcha, Limbu, Bhutia, Nepali, Hindi and English. Majority of the residents of Yuksom indulge in traditional trade of agriculture in order to earn livelihood. As Yuksom is recently developing as a leading tourist destination and a sought after hill station, some of the citizens have opted for tourism activities like providing bread and breakfast to the tourists and working as a guide, photographer or vender.
Tourists can enjoy the local delicacies like Yak Cheese Momos, Cheese & Tomato Toast, Beef Rice, Champa, Thukpa, Tibetan Bread, Alu Parathas, TONGBA (Bamboo Drink), Beer, etc at Yuksom. One can buy ethnic Sikkim articles like Tibetan Thankas, Lepcha Weave Bags, Tibetan Carpets, Rugs, Dragon Sets - Exclusively Carved in Gold and Silver, Canvas Wall Hangings, Handmade Paper Products, Prayer Wheels, Religious Buddhist Items, Tashi Tagey, 'Choktse' Furniture, Masks, Jewellery, Handicrafts, Wooden and Bamboo Artifacts, Woven and Knitted Dresses, Shawls, Blankets, Tea and Cardamoms from Yuksom.
Yuksom is a biodiversity hot spot. The Biodiversity Festival organized at Yuksom by the Forest Department of the Government of Sikkim is the first of its kind celebrated here. This festival is held with the aim of spreading awareness amongst the villagers about the importance of conserving their historical, cultural and natural heritage. A large number of villagers, Indian travelers and even foreign tourists attend this festival. In this festival the pictorial exhibition reveals the natural biodiversity of the terrain, the cultural heritage, effects of deforestation and measures followed to preserve the biosphere.
They also advocate energy efficient methods by using waste, garbage, replacement and reuse of biodegradable wastes and promote traditional handlooms and handicrafts. Other attractions of this festival include puppet shows and folk music and dance concerts.