Ru-Soam Bridges

About Ru-Soam Bridges:

• It is a cane bridge built by the Lepcha community in Sikkim, especially in the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve.
  • In the Lepcha language, ‘Ru’ means cane or rattan, while ‘Soam’ refers to a bridge.
• Materials Used: It is crafted from locally available materials such as bamboo, cane, and wood.
• Structural Features:
  • It consists of two parallel canes called soamgyang. The soamgyang are tied to trees on the two ends, ensuring that the bridge remains suspended.
  • A ru-soam contains swinging cane loops called ahool.
  • Bamboos, or soamgur, are used to make the deck of the bridge.
  • The bridges can be 100 metres long, and two or three people can cross them at a time.
• This engineering practice reflects a sophisticated understanding of ecological balance and structural resilience.
• The Ru-Soam cane bridges are not relics of the past; they are living expressions of engineering ingenuity.