Ubhauli
Uphill Migration Festival
Celebrated on Baisakh Purnima - prayers for good weather, crops and protection before moving to higher pastures, with the traditional Sakela Sili dance.
Culture & Heritage
Language, traditions, festivals and cultural heritage of the community
Endangered Language
Dewas Rai Language
The Dewas Rai language is an Indo-Aryan language distinct from the Tibeto-Burman Kiranti Rai languages spoken by other Rai sub-groups. Listed as endangered (Ethnologue DWZ): it is spoken as a first language by all adults in the community, but not by all young people, and is not taught in schools. The organization works to document, preserve, and teach this unique linguistic heritage through workshops, publications, and intergenerational learning programs.
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Indo-Aryan Language Family
A distinct language (Indo-Aryan) unrelated to the Tibeto-Burman Kiranti Rai languages
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Endangered Language Status
Listed as endangered - spoken by all adults, but not all youth; the organization is documenting and reviving it
Traditions & Festivals
Seasonal festivals, nature worship and thanksgiving
Udhauli
Downhill Migration Festival
Celebrated on Mangsir Purnima - thanksgiving to nature and ancestors for the harvested crops, featuring community feasts and Sakela dance.
Dress, Music & Dance
Traditional Dewas Rai attire reflects the community's connection to the hills and forests. Men traditionally wore dhaka topi (woven caps) and daura-suruwal, while women wore distinctive woven shawls and jewelry. Traditional instruments include the dhol (drum), jhyamta (cymbals), and various wind instruments. The Sakela dance, performed during Ubhauli and Udhauli, mimics the movements of birds, animals, and agricultural activities.
Cultural Gallery
Moments from cultural programs and celebrations
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