Abstract

The Sikkimese Jogis represent an ancient population of people who primarily belong to the Nepali community of Sikkim. Although small in size, this group of people has a unique tradition, culture and cultural patterns of their own. A very important aspect of this culture is represented by the ritualistic practices performed by the Jogis as a daily life activity. An indispensable part of these rituals is constituted by the uncanny sounds produced by a very unique, ancient wind instrument of the Jogis called the “BARAAT”. This paper primarily focuses on (a) the making procedure of the baraat (b) the playing style of the baraat and (c) the culture associated with it.