Rangeen Mann: May 2013

Sakela is the main festival of Kirat Rai which is celebrated twice a year distinguished by two names Ubhauli and Udhauli. Sakela is celebrated during Baishak Purnima full moon day and Sakela Udhauli is celebrated duing the full moon day in the month of Mangshir.

Characteristic:

The main characteristic of this festival is the Sakela dance performed by large groups of Kirats wearing their traditional attire. People from all ages dance together in a large circle. There are male and female leaders in each circle known as Silimangpa and Silimangma respectively. These two people control the sili of the dance while the other dancers imitate them. The sili, style of the dance moves, reflects the different aspects of human life and our relationship with nature. The ritual starts with the chula puja, worship of chula, at home by the kirat priest Nachhong. After completion of the chula puja, Nachhong performs a sacrificial rite (usually with chicken) over a sacred place known as Sakela Thann, which is usually under a sacred tree. The Nachhong signals the competion of rituals by starting the saleka dance by him and the actual group sakela dance commences then, all dancer form a large circle and dance joyously around it. The beating of Dhol (drum) and the Jhamta accompany the different silies guided by the Silimangpa. Among Kirat Rai,Yakkga and Sunwar celebrate this festival, whereas Limbu's have their own Chasok Tangnam.

Kirati Sisters in the typical cultural dress

Significance:

According to the Kirat holy book, Mundhum, a year is divided into two phases: Ubhauli (Going up) and Udhauli (Going down). It is generally accepted that the naming comes from the migration pattern of birds. During the start of the winter season in Mangsir, the birds migrate downward toward the warmer Terrain belt, and thus this phase of the year is known as Udhauli, meaning Downward. Likewise, during the rise of the summer season, the birds migrate upward to the cooler Hilly region, and therefore this latter phase is known as Ubhauli.

Kirat believe in Shamanism and are worshippers of Mother Nature. The Sakela celebration is a prayer to Mother Nature for healthy crops and protection from natural calamities. Therefore, the festival is also known as "Bhumi Puja". Starting on Baishak Purnima, Sakela Ubhauli is celebrated for 15 days in Baisakh (April/May) marking the beginning of the farming year.

Similarly, the celebration of Sakela Udhauli during Mangsir (November/December) which is harvest season is their way of giving thanks to nature for providing them with a good harvest.

Kirati with the traditional musical instrument-Dhol Jhyamta

The celebration of Sakela is connected to many myths. According to Kirat Mythology, it is said that before the marriage of Sumnima and Paruhang, Paruhang used to live in the heavens .One day, he saw beautiful Sumnima on earth and fell in love with her. He made her a beautiful comb and sent it to Sumnima who wished to wed him. Four children were born after marriage. But Paruhang left Sumnima in a hut on the bank of the Dudhkoshi River and did not return for a long time. One day, Sumnima saw a creeper growing on a rock while she was in search of food for her children. She tasted the creeper and found it was full of power and happiness. She brought the creeper and made a Buti, an intoxicating religious garland. The Buti inspired everybody who saw it to speak the truth about her/his life. One day Paruhang returned suddenly. He tried to counsel with the angry Sumnima. She then gave him the Buti. This immediately made him glad and he started to tell her about what he had done. He had spent the time looking at Heaven and Earth from atop Chomolongma (Mount Everest). He also told her that he had meditated and visited the entire universe. Paruhang promised not to leave her again, which made Sumnima dance with joy. It is believed that her joyous dance is the 'Sakela Dance'. And so tradition has that young boys and girls comes to participate in Sakela in order to meet each other and find their love.

According to the Mundhum, Rai (Kirat) came out of the Khuwalung (sea or big river) meaning the Ganges river. Then followed the small river or the Saptakoshi. On their journey they first met with a duck, then the river bird (dhobi chara), Black bird (kalchuda), deer (mirga), (thar) musk deer (Kasturi) etc. They journeyed through the Arun valley, Dudh Koshi valley, Sun Koshi valley, Tama Koshi valley and finally settled down in the Bhote Koshi valley. The Nachhong, or the leader of the Sakela, narrates this Mundhum (history). When he carries out the ritual in Sakela he tells the Mundhum (story) of how our ancestor came out of the Khuwalung and met a duck and at the same time he dances in the pattern (sili) of a duck, likewise when he talks about the Dhobi Chara he dances in the pattern of the Dhobi Chara. This is the Kirat way of relating the story (Mundhum) verbally and through acting.

Current Trend:

The Sakela dance has become very popular in the cities of Nepal and abroad particularly among the younger generation. Kirat Rai celebrating this festival widely outside of Nepal as well specially in Sikkim, Hong Kong, United Kingdom, Australia and United States. However, the real flavour of the dance can only be seen in the eastern hills of Nepal. This interest in Sakela has helped to spread the Nepali culture all across the world.

Here is a documentary videos about Kirat Rai and their culture: