Sakela is the biggest festival, Kirats of nepal celebrate. Ubhouli and Udhouli are the two main festivals of Sakela. Ubhouli means upward and Udhouli is downward.
Kirat Rai Sakela Dance
According to the Holy book of kirat 'Mudhum', a year of 365 days is divided into two phases Ubhouli (going up) and Udhouli (going down). The birds migrates from one place from other in these period as well in old days people used to move uphill and downhill durin these season.
Salela Ubhouli Seasons (celebrate time)
Every year Ubhouli is celebrated on Baishak Sulka Purnima. It is on same day of bhudda purnima or Bhuddha jayanti.
This year 31, 2071 it is on 14th May 2014 in English calendar.
Sakela Ubauli falls on the month of Baishk (April-May)and Sakela Udhouli fasll during then month of Mangsir (October-November) of Bikram Sambat Calendar.
To celebrate Ubhaulii Sakela
Yalmber
Traditionally the Kirat people used to climb up to the mountains in summer to avoid the heat and malaria (epidemic) after performing the Ubhouli rituals. During these traditional rituals they worship their ancestors and nature, seeking better wealth and crops. At the start of winter with similar rituals for Udhouli they used to move down the hill.
The Kirat have strong belief in dead ancestors and the nature. They believe ancestors would get angry when they are not properly worshipped. These rituals are practice same ways these rituals are practice same way these days too. However, practice or trend of climbing up and down during summer and winter has been stopped these days.
In the history of Nepal Kirat are noted to be the first rulers. King Yalamber. the Kirat King was the first King of nepal. Kirat live mainly in two different parts of Nepal. They are called Wallo and Pallohe Kirat. Wallo Kirat is the Western areas of Arun River. Pallo Kirat is the Eastern part of Arun River. Arun River is on the eastern part of Nepal. Mechi and Koshi zones of nepal are also highly habituated with Kirat population.
Sakela Ubhouli Parba
The Dance have steps similar to the steps of Ducks(hans), River bird(dhobi chara), Black bird(Kalchuda),Deer (Mirga), Musk deer(kasturi mirga) and other to copy of animals dance
Nakhhong, The main guy, narrates the mundhum and tells all the stories through dancing these steps and reciting how their ancestors travelled through Dudh Koshi, sun Koshi, and Tama Koshi and finally sttled in the bank of Bhote Koshi River.