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Sakela (also Sakewa or Sakenwa) (Nepali: साकेला) is one of the main festival of Khambu (Rai people), an ethnic group indigenous to Eastern Nepal and 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 (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]
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2021) |
| Sakela | |
|---|---|
 Khambu Rai boy and girl performing Sakela Sili dance in Chawrasta Darjeeling | |
| Also called | |
| 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 |
| 2024 date | |
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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]
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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]
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]
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]
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
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)
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