Local Government in Bhojpur Launches Training to Preserve Traditional Sakela Dance

Bhojpur. The Ramprasadrai Rural Municipality in Bhojpur has initiated efforts to preserve the traditional Sakela dance. The municipality has started providing training for the preservation of Sakela dance.

The municipality launched the Sakela dance training on the occasion of the Indigenous Knowledge Festival 2082. Gaunpalika Chairman Thambadur Rai stated that although Sakela, considered a cultural dance of the Kirat community, is performed, its cultural aspects have recently become less understood; therefore, theoretical and practical training on the dance is being provided.

The training, which includes accommodation arrangements until the upcoming Magh 26, is being facilitated by trainers Shalika Satasak Rai, Protector Rai, Arjun Rai, and Manbahadur Rai. Thirty people are participating in the Sakela dance training. The Vice-Chairman of the Rural Municipality, Birendra Rai, informed that promoting the culture and indigenous knowledge of every ethnic group within the municipality is the responsibility of the local government, which is why the Indigenous Knowledge Festival was organized. He added that the ongoing Sakela dance training during this event will further aid in its preservation.

Meanwhile, preparations are also underway for the grand Indigenous Festival to be held on the 26th. Under this, panel discourses have been organized on three different topics.

Pabihang Rai, Sachin Dangi, Dilkumar Khaling, and Sampada Limbu will debate on the topic of Indigenous Taste and Ownership in Tourism. On the topic of Indigenous Dreams in Education, Rajat Rai, Surya Rai, Nirman Kirati, and Bhumika Pakhrin will debate. Organizers informed that on the topic of Politics of Pleasing the Masses, Rajan Samip, Yajashwi Rai, Rijan Ranamagar, and Prakash Rai will debate. The festival will be held with financial support from the municipality.

In this third series of the event, Khagendra Sangraula, Yug Pathak, Kailash Rai, Anubhav Ajit, Bhogiraj Chamling, Deepak Sapkot, Bhupal Rai, Rajan Mukarung, Kavita Rai, Hari Roka, Khinu Lungwa, Chandra Hatuwali, Nunuta Rai, Sita Thulung, Ganesh Kumar Rai, Sudan Kirati, Ashok Rai, and Premkumar Rai, among others, have previously participated in debates.

The program coordinator, Rajan Samip, informed that in previous years, the event was organized in Aamchowk and last year in Ramprasad Rai Rural Municipality.