Tuwachung Danda colourful with folks in Kirati costumes

By Our Correspondent Khotang,June 8: Tuwachung Danda in Tuwachung Municipality-7, Halesi, Khotang looked colourful with people in Kirati costumes moving around on Saturday. 

For the past 14 years, the hill used to become colourful once every year with locals appearing in Kirati attire in the public. However, the tradition got discontinued for two years because of the outbreak of COVID-19. But this year, the practice resumed and the locals made the hills colourful on Saturday.

The Danda changed its appearance due to the Sakela Sili dance organised by Tuwachung Jayajum Conservation Committee. According to Kirati culture, it is believed that Tuwachung is the place where Kirati ancestors Tayama, Khiyama and Raichhakule lived. That is why the Kirati people believe Tuwachung Danda is the place of their origin. 

Sakela is celebrated twice a year. It is marked in April to escape the heat as the people ascend the highlands. This Sakela is called "Ubhauli", and in November they descend the plains to escape the cold, called "Udhauli".

Accordingly, the Kirat community danced Sakela on Saturday on the Panchami after Baisakh Purnima. People danced Sakela in a circle to the tune of Dhol (drums) and Jhyamta after the shaman (Nachhung) worships the ancestors.

Mayor of Tuwachung Municipality Bimala Rai inaugurated the Sakela dance. After inauguration, the mayor, deputy mayor, ward chairs of all 11 wards, mayors/deputy mayors of other municipalities, political leaders of different parties and representatives of different organisations danced Sakela and it was followed by dance from various groups. People of all age groups were present there in Kirati costume. The organisers of the programme also congratulated the new people's representatives.

It is also believed in the Kirati community that Tuwachung is the place of agricultural civilisation. On the occasion of Ubhauli, the shaman worships the land, asks for blessings for long life and to be saved from flood, landslides and famine.

Tuwachung Danda was filled with people from Kirati as well as non-kirati communities. Males were dressed in traditional Daura and Suruwal, coat, dhaka topi, peacock's feather while the females were dressed in gunyo, pachheuri, cholo, patuki, bulaki and necklace made of coins.

Tuwachung Danda, which carries history of Kirat people, is considered a tourist site. On Saturday, the site was filled with people dressed in Kirati attire.