Sakela

Sakela (also Sakewa or Sakenwa) (Nepali: साकेला) 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.^[1][2][3]

Sakela
Khambu Rai boy and girl performing Sakela Sili dance in Chawrasta Darjeeling
Also called	Sakewa, Sakenwa: Bantawa Sakhewa: Sampang Sakewa, Fagulak: Puma Sakelwa: Nachhiring Wass: Khaling Tòsī: Kulung Tòsh: Thulung Tòshu: Dumi Yummang, Eksamang: Lohorung, Yamphu Segro: Bahing Whawmo: Wambule
Observed by	Kirat Khambu Rais around the world
Observances	Sakela sili, cultural group dance, religious services, family meetings, relative meetings
Begins	Sakela Udhauli (full moon day of Mangsir) and Sakela Ubhauli (full moon day of Baishak)
Ends	After 15 days
2025 date	12 May: Sakela Ubhauli 4 December: Sakela Udhauli

Rai Community of Sikkim representing Tableau of Sakewa Sili on 63rd Indian Republic Day 2012 Rajpath New Delhi

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.^[3] The festival is Started on Baisakh Purnima, Sakela Ubhauli is celebrated for fifteen days in Baisakh (April–May) marking the beginning of the farming year. Similarly, the celebration of Sakela Udhauli during Mangsir (November–December), which is the harvest season, is the giving of thanks to mother nature for providing a good harvest. In this festival the Rai people honour Bhumi dev, an Earth goddess.^{[citation needed]}

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.^[4]

Variations

Among Kirats, Sunuwar and Rai celebrate this festival, whereas the Yakkhas and the Limbus have their own Youchyang and Chasok Tangnam. Despite important local variations, indigenists view these dances as specific as well as common to all Kirat.^[2]

Different ways of saying it

There are different nomenclatures of Sakela in different Khambu languages. The Chamling sub-tribe calls it Sakela. Bantawas call it Sakewa or Sakenwa while the Thulungs call it Toshi.^[5]

Bahing or Bayung Rai performing Segro Silli dance.

Among the various Rai languages Sakela is also called:^{[citation needed]}

• Sakewa or Sakenwa in Bantawa, Dungmali and Mewahang languages
• Tosh Kulung and Nachhiring
• Toshi in Thulung
• Segro in Bahing
• Iksamang or Balipuja in Lohorung and Yamphu
• Fagulak in Puma

Gallery

• 
  Offerings made to Paruhang and Sumnima, the ancestral deity
• 
  Kirati Rai women in Sakela Ubhauli festival
• 
  Women in traditional Rai wear (2019)
• 
  A Rai man playing traditional drum (Dhol)
• 
  Rai Girl Playing Jhyamta in Sakela Ubhauli festival (2017 Kurseong)

See also

• Kirat Mundhum
• Kirat Region