Sakela is the most important festival in the Kirat calendar, celebrated twice annually to mark the agricultural cycle and maintain harmony between humans and nature. This vibrant festival, with its elaborate dances, rituals, and community gatherings, embodies the core values of Kirat Mundhum.
## The Two Sakelas
**Sakela Ubhauli (Going Up)**: Celebrated in late April or early May, Ubhauli marks the beginning of the cultivation season. During Ubhauli, Kiratis pray for good monsoon rains, protection from natural disasters, and abundant crops.
**Sakela Udhauli (Coming Down)**: Held in late November or early December, Udhauli means "coming down," marking the harvest season. This festival is a thanksgiving celebration for the successful harvest.
## The Sakela Dance
The centerpiece of both festivals is the Sakela dance, also called Sakela Sili. This is not entertainment but a sacred ritual performed in a large circle, with men and women forming alternate positions, symbolizing gender balance and community unity.
## Ritual Procedures
Sakela begins with ritual offerings at sacred spaces. The Phedangma recites portions of Mundhum, invoking ancestors and deities to descend and bless the community.
## Community Aspects
Sakela is fundamentally communal. Individual families cannot perform Sakela alone—it requires community participation. This enforces social cohesion and mutual dependence.
## Ecological Significance
Sakela's timing synchronizes human activity with natural cycles. The festival's message of harmony with nature takes on new urgency in our ecologically-challenged era.