Making Memories of Us
The first ever Sakela-Ubhauli was celebrated in Capital Complex (Itanagar) on 11th June 2023 at Goya Picnic Parka Ganga Villages with a sole purpose to bring different sections of Kirati Community residing in Capital Complex and nearby areas under a single platform, to know and familiarizing one another better, and to disseminate the importance of Sakela-Uhauli among us.
Sakela-Ubhauli is one of the main festivals of the Kirat Rai Community. This was the first Sakela-Ubhauli ever celebrated in Capital Complex.
The event started too late due to incessant rain but the rain could not dampen our spirit. We did not give up. I am sure everyone had a great time.
This was our first simple and humble beginning. We might have committed few mistakes and might have failed in materializing the programme properly.
However, we learnt a lot during the festival. We now know in days to come we will organize the festival in a better way.
The festival was simple yet impressive. Credit goes to everyone one of you for being a part of this memorable beginning. We are sure we will go big and grow more in future.
We celebrated and connected with Good Hearts through this Sakela-Ubhauli Celebration. We will keep celebrating in future too.
Though this was a baby step but I am sure every one of us made a lot of memories.
Now, here is information about Sakela festival of the Kirat Rai Community.(excerpted from Google)
Sakela Ubhauli and Sakela Udhauli are the two main festivals of the Kirati Rai Community. Ubhauli means upward and Udhauli is downward.
According to the Holy book of Kirat 'Mundhum', one year is divided into two phases Ubhauli and Udhauli.
The birds migrates from one place from other in these period as well in old days people used to move uphill and downhill during these seasons.
When is Ubhauli
Every year Ubhauli is celebrated on Baishak Purnima. It is on same day of Bhuddha purnima.
Mostly Sakela Ubhauli falls on the month of Baishak (April-May) and Sakela Udhauli falls during the month of Mangsir (October-November).
The Kirats have strong belief in dead ancestors and the nature. They believe ancestors would get angry when they are not worshipped properly.
During these traditional rituals they worship their ancestors and nature, seeking blessings for good health, better wealth and good crops.
One of the important events this festival is Sakela Ubhauli dance. A large mass of people of different ages wear traditional dresses and perform dance together in circle.
Male leader known as Silimangpa and female leader called Silimangma lead Sakela group. Silimangpa and Silimangma guide the dance Silies according to the beat of the dhol and Jhyamta. Dhol and Jhyamta – the tradition musical Instruments.
The dance style known as Silli reflects different aspects of human life and human relation with nature.
This dancing ritual starts with the Chula Puja. Chula is hearth, the source of food and life.
STORY BEHIND SAKELA DANCE
According to Kirat Mythology Paruhang lived in Heaven. One day he saw beautiful girl named Sumnima walking in the earth and fell in love with her. He made a beautiful comb and gifted it to Sumnima. They both got married. After Sumnima gave birth to four children Paruhang left his family to live in the hut on the bank of Dudhkoshi River and did not return for a long time. One day while searching for food Sumnima found a creeper. She tasted the creeper and found it to be full of power and happiness. She then made a Buti out of it. The buti has high power. Whenever anybody put the buti on he/she used to talk only truth.
One day all of sudden Paruhang came back. He tried to console Sumnima but she did not believe him. So in order to get truth from him Sumnima asked him to put on the buti. With the help of Buti Sumnima knew that Paruhang was looking at the heaven and earth from the top of Chomolongma (Mt. Everest). She also knew that he was meditating and visited entire universe, he then promised never to leave her again. This made Sumnima very happy. To express her joy she started to dance.
The dance of Sumnima became the great Sakela Dance. To protect this tradition people dance to find their true love of their life.
We hope we will be together not only during festival like Ubhauli and Udhauli but will remain united during our difficult times- supporting each other.
