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Nepal’s Indigenous Kirat Community Observes Shakela Ubhauli Worshipping Nature

A female member of Nepal's indigenous Kirat community performs the Shakela dance as she attends a mass celebration of Shakela Ubhauli in Kathmandu, Nepal, on May 17, 2025. Kirant men and women, clad in traditional attire, observe the festival by beating drums and cymbals, imitating the activities of birds and other animals, and exchanging greetings with each other. This festival is celebrated by worshiping land and ancestors in hopes of obtaining better crops, health, and property. Kirat Mundhum, the holy book of Kirat, mentions that the year of 365 days is divided into two phases: Ubhauli (going up) and Udhauli (going down). In the past, people used to move uphill and downhill during these seasons. Ubhauli is celebrated every year on Baishak Sulka Purnima, on the same day as Buddha Purnima/Buddha Jayanti in the Nepali month of Baishak (April-May). Traditionally, during the summer, the Kirat people move uphill to avoid the heat and malaria. They perform Ubhauli rituals before they move, during which they worship their ancestors and nature for better health and crops. Sakela is the biggest festival celebrated by the Kirats of Nepal. Ubhauli and Udhauli are the two main festivals of Sakela. Ubhauli means upward, and Udhauli means downward. Every year, Ubhauli is celebrated on Baishak Sulka Purnima, which is on the same day as Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti. Sakela Ubhauli falls in the month of Baishak (April-May), and Sakela Udhauli falls during the month of Mangsir (October-November) of the Bikram Sambat calendar. Traditionally, the Kirat people climb up to the mountains in summer to avoid the heat and malaria after performing the Ubhauli 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 Udhauli, they move down the hill. The Kirat have a strong belief in dead ancestors and nature. They believe ancestors become angry when they are not properly honored.

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