Udhauli Festival: Kirat Communities' Winter Celebration

Study Notes

Udhauli Festival

Udhauli is a festival celebrated by the Kirat communities, including Sunuwar, Limbu, Thami, Yakkha, and Khambu Rai, in Nepal, India, and other countries.
The festival marks the migration of people from high-elevation areas to low-elevation regions during the winter season.
It is a time for the Kirat people to offer thanks to mother nature for a good harvest.

Celebrations and Traditions

The Udhauli festival is celebrated by all Kirat people, and it is believed to mark the beginning of the winter season.
People, birds, and animals migrate from cold regions to warmer regions during this time.
The festival is mainly celebrated in the eastern region of Nepal.
The Sakewa or Sakela dance is a popular tradition during the festival, performed in a circle with the beat of drums and cymbals.

Sakela Dance

The Sakela dance is an exotic dance that originated from the lifestyle of animals and their behaviors.
Each tribe of Kirat communities performs their own dance steps according to their sub-clans.
The dance is a way to respect mother earth and appreciate nature's gifts to humans.
The dance steps depict how civilization began and how the Kirat people learned to live in harmony with animals and birds.

Destinations and Significance

The main destinations for the Sakela dance are Dharan, Dhankuta, Pathari, Kanepokhari, and Kerabari.
The Udhauli festival and the Sakela dance are mentioned in the Mundhum, the holy book of the Kirat people.

Description

Udhauli is a festival celebrated by Kirat communities, marking their migration to low-elevation regions during winter. It's a significant cultural event for Sunuwar, Limbu, Thami, Yakkha, and Khambu Rai communities in Nepal, India, and worldwide.