Santhal marks Sohrai

By Bishnu Prasad Pokharel,Damak, Jan. 29: The indigenous Santhal community residing in eastern Nepal, including Jhapa, celebrated the traditional 'Sohrai' festival on Tuesday.

It is said that the Santhal celebrate the Sohrai festival every year to farewell winter.

Haldibari Rural Municipality and Bhadrapur Municipality of Jhapa had declared a local public holiday on Tuesday on the occasion of the festival. The majority of Santhal people live in the two municipalities. Jhapa is considered the district with the highest population of Santhal people.

Shiva Murmu, Secretary of the Nepal Santhal Indigenous Improvement Association, said that their main festival Sohrai is celebrated for a week. The first day of Sohrai is called 'Um', the second day is called  'Daka', the third day 'Khuntau', the fourth day 'Jali', the fifth day 'Hakukadkam', and the sixth day 'Sakarat'.

They celebrate this festival by visiting each other's villages and homes and having fun. According to Kamal Kisku, everyone stops their work to enjoy this festival. During this festival, daughters and guests are invited.