Tendong and Manom (English), in: South Asia — Lepcha
Version V
It is said that once the whole world was flooded except the peak ‘Tendong’ (who is male) and his sister ‘Manom’ (which means hidden or disappearing sister and this peak is situated just by the left side of ‘Tendong’). The flood water was increasing and the brother and sister were also lifting their heads, but at last the brother was also flooded, the sister remained above the water level. When the water receded, the brother was ashamed that his sister remained unconquered but he being a male could not resist the water. Hence the brother bent his head in order to salute the sister. Even today, they believe, one can see Mt. Tendong like a standing man with his head bent towards his sister, ‘Manom.’
– Kapp, Dieter B., “A Parallel Motif in Lepcha and Barela-Bhilala Mythology,” Asian Folklore Studies 45, no. 2 (1986), p. 276.
– Das, Amal Kumar and Banerjee, Swampan Kumar, The Lepchas of Darjeeling District, (Calcutta: D. Majumbar, Tribal Welfare Department, Government of West Bengal, 1962), pp. 131-132. [This source is in the public domain; download here].
Flood Stories 