Sakela
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2012 Rajpath New Delhi Sakela, also known as Sakewa or Sakenwa ( ), is one of the main festivals of the Khambu (Rai people), an ethnic group indigenous to Eastern Nepal and the Sikkim, Kalimpong, and Darjeeling regions of India. Sakela is celebrated twice a year and is distinguished by two names: Ubhauli and Udhauli. Sakela Ubhauli is celebrated during Baisakh Purnima (the full moon day in the month of Baisakh) and Sakela Udhauli is celebrated during the full moon day in the month of Mangsir.
2012 Rajpath New Delhi]] Sakela, also known as Sakewa or Sakenwa ( ), is one of the main festivals of the Khambu (Rai people), an ethnic group indigenous to Eastern Nepal and the Sikkim, Kalimpong, and Darjeeling regions of India. Sakela is celebrated twice a year and is distinguished by two names: Ubhauli and Udhauli. Sakela Ubhauli is celebrated during Baisakh Purnima (the full moon day in the month of Baisakh) and Sakela Udhauli is celebrated during the full moon day in the month of Mangsir.
Significance
Kirats believe in shamanism and are worshippers of nature. The Sakela celebration is a prayer to mother nature for healthy crops and protection from natural calamities. Starting on Baisakh Purnima, Sakela is celebrated for fifteen days in Baisakh (April–May), marking the beginning of the farming year. Similarly, the celebration of Sakela during Mangsir (November–December), which is the harvest season, thank mother nature for a good harvest.
Sakela dance
The main characteristic of this festival is a ritual dance call Sakela dance performed by large groups of Kirats, wearing their traditional attire. People from all ages dance together in a large circle. There are male and female leaders in each circle known as Silimangpa and Silimangma respectively. They choreograph the dance moves known as sili while others follow them. The term "sili" reflects the different aspects of human life and their relationship with nature.
References
External links
SakelaDance.com Sakela Dance on YouTube United Kirat Rai Organization of America
Text derived from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1378580376 under CC BY-SA 4.0; modifications have been made.