Traditional Lepcha Crafts Training

Distribution below

Subject:- Traditional Lepcha Crafts Training
An Administrative Instruction

1. The above training is being organised and given to the Lepcha men and women, twelve of them, with the following aims and objectives:
a. To preserve, maintain and developed the traditional Lepcha crafts for posterity.
b. To help prepare the Lepcha trainees to make additional income for their families through Lepcha traditional crafts.

2. The Traditional Lepcha Crafts Training is being sponsored by M. Charitable Trust, UK in collaboration with the Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association, Headquarters Kalimpong. It will commence on 1 September 2010 and end on 31 October 2010.

3. The following two categories of Traditional Lepcha Crafts will be taught to the potential trainees:

a. Lepcha Weaving for Women. At the end of the training, the Lepcha female trainees, eight of them, will be able to weave and give good finish to:
i. ‘Naamrek’ - Lepcha waistband, kamarband
ii. ‘Tunggip’ - Lepcha hand bag
iii. ‘Dumpraa’ - Lepcha men’s dress

b. Lepcha Hats Making for Men. At the end of the training,the four Lepcha male trainees will be able to make the following:
i. ‘Paapree’ - Lepcha men’s hat worn in the field or jungle.
ii. ‘Saamaok’ - Lepcha ceremonial hat
iii. ‘Tukvil Lyaak’- Lepcha women’s necklace
iv. ‘Taalyoong’ - Lepcha winnowing fan etc.

4. A separate training programme will be issued in due course.

5. Imperative qualification of the young Lepcha trainee students:

i. Fluent in Lepcha language.
ii. Interest and aptitude towards their respective traditional Lepcha crafts.

6 Dress:

a. Dumpraa / Thyaaktuk
b. Dumdem / Dumbun

7. Medium of instruction - Lepcha

8. The following Lepcha Association Branches are requested to send their nominations to the President, Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association, Headquarters Kalimpong by 16 July 2010.
Lepcha Weaving Lepcha Hats Making
(Female) (Male)
a. Lepcha Association,
Sokhyam Branch,
Darjeeling Two One

b. Lepcha Association,
Meerek Branch,
Kurseong Two One

c. Lepcha Association,
Karmi Branch,
Darjeeling Two One

d. Lepcha Association,
Damsang Branch,
Kalimpong Two One

9. The Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association, Headquarters Kalimpong, have handpicked the following competent Lepcha Teachers, Master Craftman and a Supervisor to run the training and they are:
a. Supervisor - Ren Rumden Lepcha, Ngasey, Kalimpong
b. Lepcha Weaving - i. Head Teacher - Renyoo Phurba Lhamu Lepcha, Ngasey, Kalimpong
- ii. Assistant Teacher -Renyoo Larmit Lepcha, Prektaam, Kalimpong
c. Master Craftman - Ren Jokhim Lepcha, Lower Byong, Git-Dabling, Kalimpong.
All the teachers and trainee students are to report to the Supervisor on 31 August 2010 at 2 pm at Mayel Lee, Ngasay, Kalimpong.

10. Location of the trainning: The Traditional Lepcha Crafts Training will take place at ‘Mayel Lee’, Ngasey, Kalimpong.

11. Food and Accommodation: Food and accommodation will be arranged at Ngasey Kyong for the teachers and trainees for the period 31 August to 31 October 2010. Ngasey Kyong Shezoom is requested to arrange simple food and accommodation for them during the above period. The teachers and trainees will contribute Rs. 1000.00 (Rupees one thousand) only per month to Ngasey Kyong Shezoom for their food and accommodation

12. Pay and Allowances per Month: Pay and allowances per month for the Supervisor, Teachers, Master Craftsman and Trainees will be as follows:

a. Supervisor - Rs. 5000 - 00 (Five thousand )
b. Head Teacher/Master Craftman - Rs. 4500 - 00 (Four thousand and five hundred)
c. Assistant Teacher - Rs. 4000 - 00 (Four thousand )
d. Trainees - Rs. 3000 - 00 (Three thousand)

13. Duty and Task

a. Supervisor
i. He is responsible for day to day management and running of the training.
ii. He is directly answerable to the President, Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association, Headquarters Kalimpong.
iii. To store the cotton yarn in safe keeping.
iv. To distribute the cotton yarn to the Lepcha Weaving Head Teacher/Assistant Teacher when they require it.
v. To prepare and construct ten suitable handlums for Lepcha weaving inside the hall.
vi.To keep an account book for:
(a) Cotton yarn
(b) Bamboos and canes
(c) Various weaving and hat making instruments
(d) Pay and allowance
(e) Food and accommodation charges etc.
vii. He is also responsible for the cleanliness of the ‘Mayel Lee’ and its surrounding area.
viii. Discipline of the trainees, teachers and master craftman.
ix. He is responsible for creating a healthy atmosphere among the teachers and trainee students.
x. To record and store the finished products in safe keeping and hand them over to the President, Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association, Headquarters Kalimpong at the end of training in person.
b. Head Teacher, Assitant Teacher and Master Craftman

i. You are responsible to teach the various traditional Lepcha techniques on the Lepcha weaving and crafts to your trainee students with outmost care and love.
ii. You are answerable to your Supervisor on all matters.
iii.You are responsible for creating a cordial, happy and healthy atmosphere among your trainee students.
iv.You will also teach the two skills of Lepcha language, reading and writing, for an hour in the morning and Lepcha songs, dances and culture in the late evening each day to the Lepcha trainees.
v. The Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association, Headquarters Kalimpong and Ren Michael Way expect your trainee students to do extremely well and go away to their respective villages and areas with immense confidence in their techniques in Lepcha weaving and crafts. You are expected to work extremely hard and lead your trainee students with examples.

15. The following are requested to attend a meeting on 16 July 2010 at 11:00 am at the Lepcha Boys Hostel, Kalimpong to discuss and decide on the finer points of the training:

a. Ren Rumden Lepcha, Ngasey, Kalimpong
b. Renyoo Phurba Lhamu Lepcha, Ngasey, Kalimpong
c. Renyoo Larmit Lepcha, Prektaam, Kalimpong
d. Ren Jokhim Lepcha, Lower Byong, Git-Dabling, Kalimpong
e. President/Secretary, Ngasey Kyong Shezoom, Kalimpong
f. General Secretary, Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association, Headquarters Kalimpong
g. President, Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association, Headquarters Kalimpong

16. Visitors
a. The President, Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association, Headquarters Kalimpong, and his Executive Committee Members may visit the training in progress any time without prior notice.
b. Ren Michael Way will be arriving Kalimpong in October 2010 and he may visit he training centre as and when he wishes without prior notice.
c. Other interested parties may visit the training centre.
d. The Supervisor,Teachers, Master Craftman and trainees should be able to welcome them with big smiles.

17. There will be a Lepcha function on 31October 2010 to mark the end of training. Ren Michael Way will be the Chief Guest of the day. He will be requested to give away the ‘certificates’ to the successful trainees at the end of the day. The Executive Committee Member of various Lepcha Association Branches will be invited to witness the programme on the day. A separate instruction will follow in due course.

18. To make this very important Traditional Lepcha Crafts Training a grand success all people involved in it, must work extremely hard, diligently and with total dedication.

‘Aachuley!’

LYANGSONG TAMSANG LEPCHA
President
Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association,
Headquarters Kalimpon
Distribution:
Action:
1. Paragraph 8 Sub- paragraphs a, b, c, and d
2. Paragraph 9, Sub- paragraphs a, b, and c
3. All Executive Committee Members, Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association, Headquarters Kalimpong.

Information:

President/ Secretary - Lepcha Association Branch,
Singritam /Mane Danra/Dabai Pani
Lepcha Association Branch, Sittong, Kurseong
Lepcha Association Branch, Kolkata
Lepcha Association Branch,New Delhi
Ren Michael Way, M. Way Charitable Trust,UK
Lepcha Youth Association, Headquarters Kalimpong
Ren S.M. Lepcha Darjeeling