Tika R Pradhan

Kathmandu, May 28:

Members of the Kirant community living in Kathmandu valley today dared dust and scorching heat to dance Sakela Sili to the tunes of drums and cymbals to celebrate Ubhouli — a festival of sowing of seeds. With cultural consciousness rising among the Kirantis, the number of people gathering here to celebrate festivals like this one is ever increasing. “There is an increase of at least 25 per cent people this year,” said Cham Bahadur Rai, president of Kirant Rai Yayokkha Kathmandu district committee, which organised the celebrations at the Open Theatre at Tundikhel. Few people were on their traditional costumes but most of the young women were clad in colourful latest fashion costumes giving the celebrations a mix of the western and the Kiranti cultures. “I’d better call it a cultural renaissance,” comments Srawan Mukarung, central member of the KRY. Mukarung, who is also a noted lyricist and writer, said he has been observing unexpected rise in the number of people turning over at the programmes every year.

Central president of KRY Kul Bahadur Rai said Kirants are becoming more sensitive on their culture perceiving it as a common agenda. “Specially young generations are being more and more sensitive towards their culture these days.” Those participated in the Sakela Sili dance were Sampang, Chamling, Kulung, Bantawa, Khaling and Sunuwar lingual groups of Kirant who have their own languages and culture. On the same occasion the KRY Lalitpur ad hoc committee exhibited traditional materials including house wares, bow and arrows and fishing equipments used by the Kirant community. Musical instruments like Murchunga and Binayo and hand made clothes were also on display. “Many Brahmins and Chhetris dance much better than we do,” said Mukarung adding Kirant people celebrate the Ubhouli as worship to their ancestors for some 10 days at their places. However, in the valley such programmes are organised every Saturdays for about a month beginning from the Baishak Purnima. While sowing seeds Kirant communities worship nature and their ancestors in Ubhouli for the better harvest and avoid natural disasters. Over 100,000 Kirants live in the valley.