Dharan marks Sakela Udhauli

By Nisha Rai,Dharan, Dec. 9: In Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City, the nature-worshipping Kirat community has celebrated their grand festival, Sakela Udhauli, by organising the first-ever linguistic Sakela Sili performance.

 With the slogan “32 Rai language groups, our proud traditions and culture,” Kirat Rai Yayokkha Sunsari held the linguistic Sakela Sili performance at Sakela Park in Dharan-17 on the occasion of Sakela Udhauli (Chhirinam) 2082 and Yele Sambat 5085.

During the Sili presentation, 10 Rai language groups, including Bantawa, Chhiling, Bayung, Sampang, Puma, and others, showcased Sili in their own languages and traditions.

 In the performance, young men and women from the Kirat community were dressed in daura suruwal with dhaka topi and women in chaubandi choli, fariya and traditional ornaments.

Holding dhol, jyamta, and chasmar (all Nepali traditional musical instruments) in their hands, they synchronised their hand and foot movements to depict agricultural activities such as harvesting crops, hunting, mimicking birds and animals, and engaging in farming, reflecting the agrarian lifestyle.

 As Sakela Shili mainly portrays agricultural life, it is regarded as being deeply connected with the religious, cultural, and social beliefs of the Kirat community.

Rajendra Rai, Chairperson of Kirat Rai Yayokkha Sunsari, said that since the Rai community has different languages and traditions according to region, it is necessary to preserve them and pass them to future generations, which is the reason behind organising this event.

Sakela, according to Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City Deputy Mayor Aindra Bikram Begha, is not merely a dance or celebration but represents the social, cultural, and religious identity of the Kirat Rai community. He said that the cultural and spiritual value of the Sakela festival is interlinked with the prosperity of the Kirat community. The festival unites the community, conveys traditional values, and connects younger generations with cultural heritage.

Former central chairperson of Yayokkha and former mayor of Dharan, Tilak Rai, said that modernisation has caused gradual disappearance of traditional practices, so traditional festivals are vital for preserving indigenous identity and transferring culture to the new generation.

 He emphasised that Sakela, associated with Baisakh Purnima and Mangsir Purnima, is linked to nature worship and the lifestyle of the Kirat Rai community and should thus be preserved collectively.

He further added that in the Sili competition, Bayung Rai secured the award for best Sili performance, while Chhiling Rai’s song was chosen as the best.

 As each Rai language group has its own unique culture, every group performed its distinct Sili. All participants were awarded certificates of recognition along with Rs. 10,000 by the organisers.

Mohan Rai, Chairperson of Kirat Rai Sunsari, said that in Chhiling Rai culture, there are two forms of Sili, Lama Lak and Lamtangma Lak. 

Members of the Kirat community celebrate the Udhauli festival for 15 days starting from Mangsir Purnima.