Sakhiya dance begins as Dashain approaches

By Siraj Khan,Banke, Sept.20: As the Dashain festival approaches, the Tharu settlements of Banke have begun their traditional Sakhiya dance. The dance, which starts before Dashain and continues for a few days even after the festival ends, has now begun in most Tharu-majority villages of the district.

According to Rajendra Chaudhary, a Tharu leader from Maitahawa, Kohalpur, the dance continues until the day of Dashain Tika.

 A spiritual guide (guruwa) is arranged to protect participants from evil spirits, while village elders and respected leaders serve as guardians of the tradition. He added that in Tharu villages, Sakhiya dance is performed every evening after finishing daily chores, marking the arrival of Dashain.

Bikram Tharu, a community leader from Baijapur, Rapti Sonari, said that young women perform the dance while young men play the madal drum.

The more the drums play, the livelier the atmosphere becomes. At least four to five drummers participate, while 15 to 20 young women dressed in white fariya (skirt), red choliya (blouse), and red ribbons join in the dance.

In the songs, prayers are offered to deities such as Demon Daura, Ghotaili, Jaganthwa, Pasiya, Katkatua, Jinguni, Maduwa, Shiva-Parvati, Pandavas, Krishna, and others for peace and protection, shared Shankar Singh Tharu of Titihiriya, Banke.

The girls, adorned in traditional Tharu attire, also wear cultural ornaments during the dance.  

Since the dance is performed collectively with friends and villagers, it is called Sakhiya, meaning togetherness.

Tharu leaders said that the dance symbolises unity within the community. After the performance, the collected funds are used to prepare fish and other delicacies, which everyone shares.