Sakela
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2021) |
| Sakela | |
|---|---|
Baishak) | |
| Ends | After 15 days |
| 2024 date | |
Sakela (
Significance
Kirats believe in
Sakela dance
The main characteristic of this festival is a ritual dance call 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. They choreograph the dance moves known as sili while others follow them. The sili reflects the different aspects of human life and their relationship with nature.[4]
Variations
Among Kirats, Sunuwar and Rai celebrate this festival, whereas the Yakkhas and the Limbus have their own Youchyang and Chasok Tangnam. Despite important local variations, indigenists view these dances as specific as well as common to all Kirat.[2]
In names
There are different nomenclatures of Sakela in different Khambu languages. The Chamling sub-tribe calls it Sakela. Bantawas call it Sakewa or Sakenwa while the Thulungs call it Toshi.[5]
Among the various Rai languages Sakela is also called:[citation needed]
- Sakewa or Sakenwa in Bantawa, Dungmali and Mewahang languages
- Tosh Kulung and Nachhiring
- Toshi in Thulung
- Segro in Bahing
- Iksamang or Balipuja in Lohorung and Yamphu
- Fagulak in Puma
Gallery
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Offerings made to Paruhang and Sumnima, the ancestral deity -
Kirati Rai women in Sakela Ubhauli festival -
Women in traditional Rai wear (2019) -
A Rai man playing traditional drum (Dhol) -
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See also
References
- ^ Gaenszle, Martin (1997). "Changing concepts of ethnic identity among the Mewahang Rai". Nationalism and Ethnicity in a Hindu Kingdom. The Politics of Culture in Contemporary Nepal: 351–373.
- ^ a b Schlemmer, Grégoire (2004). "New past for the sake of a better future : re-inventing the history of the Kirant in East Nepal". European Bulletin of Himalayan Research. 25: 119–144.
- ^ a b "Dancing to Ubhauli tunes". The Kathmandu Post. May 17, 2011. Retrieved 8 May 2012.
- ^ Rai, Dik Bahadur (2012). The impacts of Modernization on the traditional Sakawa Sili festival in the Rai Kirat community of Nepal: a case study of the Rai community (Thesis). University of Tromsø.
- ^ Pradeep Rai (21 July 2021). "Kirat Khambu Rai Sakela - Sakewa". Himalayan Cultures. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
External links
