The lively Ubhauli festival has been celebrated by the Kirat community since Shakha Shukla Purnima arrived. The festival includes prayers to nature for a good harvest and protection from diseases.
Ubhauli Festival
Traditional Sakela Sili dances will be performed in different locations for a month. The performances will go on until Jestha 10 (late May), according to Bidur Rai, Kirat Rai Yayokkha Bhojpur’s acting president. He underlined that traditions, language, and culture all contribute to the preservation of existence and identity. The rhythmic sounds of drums and cymbals now fill Kirat villages. In addition to Bhojpur, other hilly districts such as Khotang, Udayapur, Sunsari, Okhaldhunga, and Dhankuta also celebrate the festival.
People dress in traditional ethnic clothing during Sakela Sili. Men carry khukuri, chouri tail, and traditional instruments, and they dress in black coats, khadi fabric, and traditional daura suruwal made from allo fiber. In addition to traditional ornaments like patuka, fariya, and choubandi cholo, women also wear sickles and other tools at their waists. Even young people from non-Kirat communities have been eagerly taking part in Sakela celebrations in recent years.
