Ubhouli
In the Himalayan land of Nepal, Paru Hang, and Sumnima were the ancestors of kirats from the ancient times. The period between 900 BC and 300 AD is known as Kirat era in the history of Nepal. There were 29 kings who ruled the country for about 1225 years. Present day Rais and Limbus are the descendants of the kirats.
Among the various traditional celebrations, UDHOULI and UBHOULI are the most important festival of kirats. These festivals are known as CHASOK, to Limbus, as CHASUWA to Yakkha Rais, as FOLSADAR to Sunwar Rais and as SAKELA or SAKENWA to Bantawa and other Rais. Many traditional instruments like Drum, Cymbal, Yak tail and Shord are played to dance during this festival. Every year there are two celebrations, UDHOULI is marked for 15 days, during the month of November, while UBHOULI is celebrated also for 15 days in the month of April – May.
Ubhouli festival is celebrated by Kirat, Rai and Limbu during the season of farming in the month of April/May. It is celebrated to worship the land and the nature with a ‘Seuli’ (small branch fill of leaves). Every year Ubhouli is celebrated on Bhaisakh Sukla Purnima. It is on same day of Bhuddha Purnima or Bhuddha Jayanti. The literal definition of Udhauli is the animals and birds migrate back to the cooler northern hills and mountains. The migration toward north gave the term unbhouli, literally meaning upward movement. Festival shows the inter-relation between human and nature.
Among the various traditional celebrations, UDHOULI and UBHOULI are the most important festival of kirats. These festivals are known as CHASOK, to Limbus, as CHASUWA to Yakkha Rais, as FOLSADAR to Sunwar Rais and as SAKELA or SAKENWA to Bantawa and other Rais. Many traditional instruments like Drum, Cymbal, Yak tail and Shord are played to dance during this festival. Every year there are two celebrations, UDHOULI is marked for 15 days, during the month of November, while UBHOULI is celebrated also for 15 days in the month of April – May.
Celebrated to worship the land and the nature with a ‘Seuli’
