Folktales of Sikkim

A historic mountain kingdom that sits aloft the snow-capped Himalayas, the folktales of Sikkim are the proper antidote to the wanderlust-stricken tourist, with its tall alpine forests, conventional Buddhist monasteries, and warm and alluring humans. It is also home to the third highest height in the world; the majestic Kanchenjunga. The nation, which became a part of India in 1975, has been of extreme significance to India due to its strategic place, sharing numerous critical international borders with locations like Tibet, Bhutan, and Nepal. In this article, folktales of Sikkim with pictures have been discussed.

Folktales of Sikkim with Pictures

There are so many popular folk tales of Sikkim. Here are some folktales of Sikkim with pictures.

Short Folktales of Sikkim: Jyamphi Moong

Once upon a time, there was a ranch proprietor in the foothills of the Himalayas. He had sheep, goats, and farm animals. The ranch proprietor had employed a man called Atek to look after his animals and the ranch. Living on his own in such a lonely, gloomy, and remote vicinity, in frustration, Atek, the herdsman, used to play his Puntaong Palit, a 4-hole Lepcha bamboo flute, producing a haunting and depressing tune. Atek was a professional and skilful flute player.

Jyamphi Moong

One night, after herding his animals as he began playing his flute,  suddenly, Jyamphi Moong, a Yeti, showed up from nowhere. Atek saw a tall, heavy, and fierce lady Yeti in front of him. He noticed that she became reverse-footed. Her heels were at the front, and her feet backward. Atek was frightened, but he continued to play his flute.

The subsequent night, after completing his chores at the ranch, Atek intentionally did not play his bamboo flute, hoping that the Jyamphi Moong, the Yeti, may not revisit him. To his unhappiness, the Yeti appeared and took the flute up. She placed it near his lips, ordering him to start playing it; Atek was forced to play his flute till sunrise.

When Atek Was Playing the Flute for Jyamphi Moong

Atek is Playing his Flute for Jyamphi Moong

One night, as Atek played his flute for Jyamphi Moong, out of tiredness, he placed his flute on the ground. The furry, scary woman Yeti picked it up, and in place of making Atek play it, she tried to play it herself. However, she could not play it. She once more placed the flute close to Atek's lips and signalled him to play the flute. This went on until dawn, whilst it was time for the Yeti to leave. Atek's life turned into hell. The Yeti would not permit him to rest and sleep. It became beyond his persistence.

The next day, Jyamphi Moong, the Yeti, arrived on time. This time, she noticed Atek massaging his whole body from head to foot with lots of butter, positioned close to the fireplace. Atek performed his flute from time to time to entertain the Yeti and continued to use the butter throughout his body. 

Atek then took out a chunk from the hearth of the fireplace and pretended to roast his body. Jyamphi Moong, the Yeti, imitating Atek, also took out a chunk of the fireplace log and began to roast her body with it. All of a sudden, her entire body turned into a hearth, and she got burned by fire, but Atek was saved as he planned this for Jyamphi Moong, the yeti. He gave butter to yet and used curd for himself. This way, he succeeded in saving his life.

Summary

In the above article, the mythological folktale of Sikkim about Jyamphi Moong has been narrated. This is the story of Atek and Yeti. Atek was a good and talented flute player. After finishing herding his animals one day at dusk and while he was still playing his flute, Jyamphi Moong, a Yeti, arrived out of nowhere. Atek looked in front of him and saw a huge, hairy, aggressive-looking female Yeti. After that, Yeti used to come every day and forced him to play the flute. Lastly, Atek found a solution to save himself from Yeti, and succeeded in his plan to frighten and burn her. This story teaches us to never give up in any situation “there is a way if there is a will”.