Kirats celebrate Sankewa Uvauli
The Kirat community on Monday observed their main festival 'Sakewa Uvauli'
in the capital city and the eastern part of the country where they form
the dominant ethnic group.
Different clans under the community like Rai, Limbu, Yakkha and Sunuwar
residing in the Kathmandu valley celebrated this festival with much
excitement and fanfare.
Kirat people from children to adult performed Chandi, a special type of
dance, at Tudikhel, a large open field in the heart of the city and few
other places. They danced in circle in the rhythm of songs and music even
as some of them played musical instruments. Some were also seen holding
varieties of items like yak's hairy tail and ferns while dancing.
The Kirat clans observed the festival in similar fashion in Dharan, Damak,
Jhapa and other eastern cities.
The Kirats worship Sumnima and Paruhang, the main deities during 'Sakewa
Uvauli', a festival linked with the origin of the world and life.
The devotees make offering to Chandi, a goddess deity with garlic pieces,
akshata or the coloured rice, yeast and other items including alcohol
generated through holy procures. During the entire procedure, they
ruminate on Sumnima and Paruhang, the supreme male and female deity who
created the world, according to Mundhum, the Kirant holy book.
Cocks are also sacrificed to the Goddess Chandi at her temple known as
'Sakewa' on the occasion.
This festival gives a glimpse to the agricultural life-style of Kirant
people, as it falls on the beginning of the plantation session. The other
main festival celebrated by Kirants is 'Sakewa Udhauli' which falls during
the harvesting session. Each festival lasts for 15 days.
From this year on the government has also announced a public holiday to
mark the festival. nepalnews.com ag May 19 08
