Sakhiya Dance begins in Tharu community ahead of Dashain

By Our Correspondent,Dang, Sept. 17: The famous Sakhiya Paiya dance of the Tharu community, traditionally performed during Dashain, has begun in the Tharu settlements of Dang district.

Before Dashain, the Tharu community welcomes the festival by performing the Sakhiya Paiya dance for 12 to 15 days.

Rajan Chaudhary, a local youth, mentioned that the Sakhiya dance has started in Lakhwar village, Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City-6. He added that the Dashain dance has also started in other villages of Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City.

Lokman Chaudhary, another local, said that preparations for the Dashain dance are underway in Dangisharan-3, Hekuli village. “We are preparing the Madal for the festival,” he said. “Once the Madal is ready, we will start performing the Sakhiya Paiya dance within a day or two.”

Meanwhile, he noted that youths in other Tharu settlements are also preparing to dance for Dashain. He mentioned that once the dance starts in one village, neighbouring villages often follow suit.

The Tharu community traditionally performs the Sakhiya Paiya dance in the courtyards of homes in the village from 8 PM, after finishing their daily work and meals.

In Dangisharan Rural Municipality-3, Siru Chaudhari, leader of the Sakhiya Paiya dance group from Hekuli village, explained that the dance is performed at night, except on the three main days of Dashain.

According to him, unmarried girls (Bathinya) dress in traditional Tharu attire, play the Manjira, and sing in groups, while the men (Mandya) accompany them by playing the Madal.

"Before Dashain begins, there is a festive atmosphere in the Tharu villages," he said. "This dance is traditionally performed in Tharu settlements in Lumbini Province, including Dang, Banke, Bardiya, as well as in Kailali, Kanchanpur of the Far-Western Province, and Surkhet of Karnali Province."

Mohriya Chaudhari explained that during the Sakhiya dance, two groups are formed. One group is led by Mohriya, while the other is led by Pachgini.

Although the Sakhiya dance and songs are similar, they are performed in different styles depending on the village. Villagers perform the Sakhiya dance during the day from Nawami to the main day of Bada Dashain, starting with the day of Tika.