Limboo New Year festival ‘Kokfekwa Tongnam’ begins in West Sikkim

KUSH HANG LEEWANG

GEYZING,: The eighth edition of the two-day Limboo New Year festival, ‘Kokfekwa Tongnam’, began Wednesday at Lingchom in Yangthang constituency.

The festival was inaugurated by Jiwan Limboo, OSD to the Martam-Rumtek MLA, in the presence of local leaders and community representatives. The festival is jointly organized by the Limboo community of Lingchom, Tikjeck and Langang.

This year’s celebrations go beyond cultural performances, with organizers placing a strong emphasis on promoting village tourism. A range of tourism-based activities have been introduced to highlight the rural attractions of Lingchom, Tikjeck, Langang and surrounding areas, with local youth taking a lead role in linking cultural heritage with livelihood opportunities.

Organizing committee members said Kokfekwa Tongnam has been observed annually for many years to preserve Limboo traditions, which they say face challenges from rapid modernization and declining awareness. By integrating cultural festivities with village tourism, they hope to create a sustainable model that supports both heritage conservation and local incomes.

Speaking at the event, Jiwan Limboo praised the organizers for their efforts to safeguard Limboo cultural identity. He said the preservation of cultural heritage was essential for keeping communities connected to their history and roots, and called for continued support for such initiatives across Sikkim. He also highlighted the state government’s inclusive approach to development and welfare, including infrastructure projects aimed at benefiting diverse communities.

The festival programme includes cultural, literary and scholastic events, as well as traditional sports. Visitors can sample traditional cuisines at food stalls set up at the venue, while a dedicated “Kokfekwa Valley” area nearby offers camping facilities, local dishes and traditional beverages.

Evening musical concerts by local and visiting bands are among the attractions over the two days. The opening day also featured performances by cultural troupes from different parts of the State.