KHOTANG, April 30: Sakela, the festival of Kirant Community, has begun on Monday.

The festival, which falls on the full moon day of Baisakh (Baisakh Sukla Purnima), is celebrated in Khotang, Bhojpur, Dhankuta, Udayapur, Okhaldhunga, Solukhumbu, Sankhuwasabha, Sunsari, Ilam, Panchthar, Jhapa, Morang as well as in the Kathmandu Valley with much gusto.

The festival is celebrated by worshiping land, ancestors and crops among Rai, Limbu, Yakkha and Sunuwar people in hopes of getting better crops, health and property, Chairman of Kirant Rai Yayokhkha, Khotang chapter Anjana Rai told Republica Online.

After performing Sakela pooja, girls and boys from Kirant community perform dance to Sakela Sili. It is performed twice a year –  at a time when the crops are planted and when the crops are harvested.

Having roots in the Krirant community's history and civilization, the festival is observed twice in the year – during plantation and harvesting period. The festival lasts for a month.

Kirant people clad in traditional attire celebrate the festival by beating drum, cymbals and  imitating the activities of birds and creatures and exchanging greetings with each other.

The festival is also known as Sakenwa, Sakela, Sakal.

 
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