Nepal, October 2 -- SURKHET, October 2: For many, the concept of Dashain brings to mind lively markets, colorful decorations, and family get-togethers. However, in the center of Surkhet, Nepal's sole nomadic group—the Raute—observe the festival in a manner that is completely unique to them. This group, which does not establish permanent homes nor participates in agriculture or formal schooling, is currently located in Lekbesi Municipality-10. For the Rautes, Dashain lasts for two days: Mahanawami and Vijaya Dashami.
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Women at the Center
On the morning of Mahanawami, the community becomes vibrant with a special Raute tradition. All the women assemble in the heart of the village, while a priest recites holy verses. Each family brings a goat or lamb, circling it around the women as rice and water are sprinkled to finish the ritual.
We engage in this worship to prevent illness or harm from malevolent spirits," says Gajuli Shahi, a young Raute girl. "Other ceremonies only start once the women's worship has been finished.
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The Raute are a community led by women, where violence against females and children is almost unheard of. Visitors are not allowed to enter the settlement during the women's ceremonies, showing the high level of respect and independence that women have in this place.
Honoring the forest deity
The day's festivities carry on with veneration of the forest god. Every family goes into the nearby woods with a single goat or sheep for the ceremony. With 40 families in the community, this year's offering included 40 animals dedicated to the forest god.
While residing in the forest, we hunt monkeys and langurs, and create wooden tools for trade, we honor the forest deity," Gajuli says. "The offerings help in successful hunts, safeguard us from injuries, and protect us from harmful spirits.
Since the community did not get government social security allowances this year, they obtained animals from nearby villages. Following the forest ritual, the animals are cooked on the spot, and the village leaders (Mukhiyas) hand out the portions. "Those who put in the most effort should have the largest shares," says Mukhiya Bir Bahadur Shahi. "Smaller portions are reserved for the people who perform the slaughtering before the rest is taken back home."
Rituals in the home on Vijaya Dashami
On Vijaya Dashami, the Raute keep up their festivities with domestic sacrifices. Goats are killed within houses, and the initial drops of blood are presented to barley, corn, and other sprouts (jamara) sown five days prior.
"Only jamara that has been purified with blood is worn," says Mukhiya Shahi. "After the offering, we wear new clothes and apply jamara and tika." Within the community, chiefs, healers, shamans, and priests have power, directing the timing of ceremonies and making sure traditions are properly followed.
For the Raute, Dashain is more than a festival—it is a vibrant expression of their culture, faith, and the strong bond among community, nature, and tradition.
Published by HT Digital Content Services, with permission from Republica.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
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