Sakela
Sakela/Sakewa is celebrated during the Full Moon day(Poornima),in the month Baisakh and Mangshir,by the Kirats.
Kirats are the Indigenous ethnic groups of the Nepal,residing at the Eastern Hilly Regions. Among Kirats,Rais,Yakkha and Sunuwar celebrate this festival,whereas Limbu's have "Chyabrung".
In this festival, they perform hom, a sacrificial rite, to acquire merit. Rai worship the earth in a belief that she would become happy and cropping would be envisaged. Therefore, the festival is also known as "Bhumi Puja". Kirats believe in Shaminism. The religious Shamin performs the sacrificial rite(usually with chicken) over the Sacred place known as Sakela/Sakewa Than, which is usually under a sacred tree. He then begins to dig out a sacred stone into the earth under the tree.
Meanwhile, everybody in a joy, participate in a dance forming a circle. With the beating of Dhol(Drum) and the "Gyamta" they begin dancing at a slow pace but moves faster later with the drumbeats.
Sakela/Sakewa is divided into two phase: Udhauli (Going down) and Ubhauli (Going up). During the start of winter season of Mangshir,the birds migrate downwards towards the warmer Terrain belt,and thus it is known as Udhauli,which means Downward. Likewise,during the rise of Summer season,the birds migrate upwards to the cooler Hilly region,and thus it is known as Ubhauli.
Since the Kirats are the Wroshipers of Nature,they celebrate the Festival as to pray the Goddess of Nature and make them happy.They celebrate Sakewa/Sakela Ubhauli during the Baisakh,as it is the time for the Farming and cultivation of crops.They want to make the nature happy so as to yield good crops.
Similarly,they celebrate Sakela/Sakewa Udhauli during the Mangshir,to thank the nature for providing them with good crops for living,as it is the time for Harvestation of the Crops.
Rai celebrate Ubhauli in spring season for 15 days that starts on Baishakh Purnina.The festival provides an opportunity for Rai to know each other.
The celebration is connected to many myths. According to the Kirat Mythology, it is also said that before the marriage of god Paruhang and goddess Sumnima, Paruhang used to live in the heaven .One day, he saw beautiful Sumnima on the earth and fell in love. He made a beautiful comb, sent it to Sumnima who wished wed him.
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Four children were born of them after marriage. But Paruhang left Sumnima in a hut on the bank of Dudhkoshi River and did not return for long time. One day, she saw a creeper on a stone while she was in search of food for her children. She tasted the creeper and it was full of power and happiness. She brought the creeper and made Buti, an intoxicating religious garland, and kept it safe. The Buti inspired everybody who saw it to tell the truth of her/his life.
Paruhang returned suddenly. He tried to counsel angry Sumnima. She gave the Buti to Paruhang. This immediately made him glad and he started to tell what he had done. He had spent the time looking at the heaven and the earth from the top of Chomolongma (Mt. Everest ). He also said her that he had meditated, and visited the whole universe. Paruhang promised not to leave her, which made Sumnima dance with joy. It is believed the dance is the ‘Sakela/Sakewa dance’. For this reason, tradition is also that young boys and girls comes to participate this dancing festival to meet each other and find their love.
Generally, there are male and female leaders during the dance known as ‘Silimangpa’ and ‘Silimangma’ respectively. These two people act as the other dancers are imitating them. The Sakela/Sakewa dance have nowadays become very popular in the cities of Nepal. But, the real flavour of the dance can only be seen in eastern hills.
Here are some of the Photos of the Sakela Dance performed on Nepal and UK at 2063 Ubhauli: :-D
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some of the VIP's attending the festival
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Mass of Kiratis Celebrating Sakela in heart of Dharan,Bhanu Chowk,Dharan is one of the prominent town of Kiratis,historically known as Vijayapur
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Kirati Ladies in the typical dress -
Kiratis with the traditionally musical instrument Dhol,they dance with the beat of Dhol.
[1](Rai)