On Lossoong, the Sikkimese New Year Day, Black
Hat (kali topi) Dance demonstrating the triumph of good over evil
is demonstrated. This masked dance is also performed by male dancers
mostly the Lamas. The dance revives the old story which narrates
that about twelve centuries ago King Land-Darma was slain for suppressing
Buddhism in Tibet. The king was slain by a Lama wearing a fantastic
black robe lined with white and riding a white horse blackened with
soot.
