ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the interactions between various factors that make up ethnicity, ethnic groups and ethnic boundaries in Sikkim, drawing on local, pan-ethnic and transnational references. It is based on a field study carried out between 2010 and 2012 in Gangtok, and in Yangang village of south Sikkim, on the relations between Sikkimese Gurungs, the All Sikkim Gurung Buddhist Association (SGA), the state of Sikkim and the Indian Union. It shows how the interactions between these agencies contribute to the construction of various Gurung cultural identifications. The SGA was registered in Gangtok in February 1994, Its objectives are to help the poor among the Gurungs, to educate their children and to study and research the history of origin, growth, tradition, culture, religion and language of Gurung community and collect them for future record. It is common to hear from Gurungs that Buddhism was their first religion, and that they became Hindus subsequently under the influence of Hinduism.
