In the villages of Tehrathum, roofs made from jhingtis have traditionally been used for houses, but they are now rapidly disappearing. Jhingtis roofs help maintain a balanced indoor temperature, whereas tin roofs tend to increase heat during summer and cold in winter. Local governments and communities emphasize the need to preserve the skill of making jhingtis, through training and tourism promotion.
March 14 – In various villages of Tehrathum, such as Manglung, Chhathar, Fedap, Athrai, and Laligurans, houses once featured decorative roofs made from jhingtis, which are now gradually becoming a thing of the past. This traditional roofing is deeply linked to the rural lifestyle, identity, and cultural heritage but is now rapidly disappearing.
Many villages in Tehrathum had houses built with stone and mud, topped with beautifully arranged jhingtis roofs. Especially in the homes of landowners, elders, Subbas, and Mukiyas, having a jhingtis roof symbolized honor and prosperity. However, the current landscape is changing; dirt roads are being replaced by paved ones, modernization is reaching villages, market access has improved, and new construction materials are readily available, contributing to the swift rise of tin roofs and concrete houses.
Leelabahadur Tumbahangphe, a local resident of Manglung Municipality-2, states, “Previously, houses with jhingtis roofs were much respected in the village. Now, tin and cement houses have become more common, causing the tradition of jhingtis roofing to decline.” According to him, skilled craftsmen who made and installed these roofs are now almost nonexistent in villages. The chief feature of jhingtis roofs is their natural ability to regulate temperature.
The roofs maintain comfortable indoor temperatures during both extreme heat and cold seasons. They provide cooling in summer and warmth in winter, offering an experience that harmonizes well with the surrounding environment. Local resident Khagendra Prasad Dhakal comments, “As society changes, old structures and customs are disappearing. The jhingtis roof is disappearing along with such transformations.”
The skill of making jhingtis roofs is also fading in Tehrathum villages. In the past, there were expert craftsmen in the villages who produced and installed jhingtis roofs using local materials. Now, this knowledge has not been passed on effectively to the younger generation. Due to foreign employment, educational opportunities, and the lure of alternative professions, traditional skills like this are being sidelined. Consequently, alongside the decline of jhingtis roofs, aspects of rural lifestyle, social structure, and cultural identity are also vanishing.
The jhingtis roof is a living document of our past. It embodies the history, technology, environmental knowledge, and cultural values of rural society. Without efforts to protect it, future generations will only read about it in books and never experience it in their villages. Therefore, local governments, stakeholders, and communities must collaborate actively to conserve this invaluable heritage.
