Sakewa: H.H. Risley in his book, "The Gazetteer of Sikkim (1884) while reflecting the total population of Sikkim, mentioned ‘Rai’, ‘Khambu’ and ‘Jimdar’ as different communities but in reality these names mean a single community which is popularly known as the Rai community. Rai is and was also known as Kirata, Khambu and Jimdar. The term Kirata has a wider connotation and the term is also found in Puran, Upadnishad or the old Vedas and it covers Rai, Limbu, Sunwar, Gurung, Manger, Tamang and all but presently only Rai community uses this term. As per the census of Sikkim in 1884, the total strength of Rai community was in third position, but Mr. Risley put it at random owing to the reason mentioned already. In this former Himalayan kingdom, the Rai people used to perform Sakewa puja from ancient time in the villages of the state but following the recognition of their language by the Government, the people began to perform the puja in a more organised manner. Indeed, the state Government has declared Sakewa as a state holiday.The Rai People are gentle, simple by nature and hard working that worship nature as their creator and protector. They call themselves Khambu, Kirawa or Rothungcha (Rodungcha). They were and are mainly cultivators who love to live in the hilly region and consider themselves as the offspring of Paruhang (the God) who is also believed to have dwelled in the Himalayas. The fact that they are worshipers of nature is reflected by their folk dance called Sakewa Sili still popular coinciding with Sakewa, the day of offering puja to earth wishing good cultivation before sowing the seeds of paddy or other grains. In fact, Sakewa is a great festival of all Rai people.
After seven days of Buddha Purnima according to Nepali calendar, Sakewa is observed in grand manner. Sakewa is also known as Sakela among the community. In a way, it is performing the Bhumi puja or prayer on the soil before sowing the seeds on the land. The Pasibey or Mangpa perform the puja on the soil. One person beats the hongken, a drum loudly and people come out of their houses bringing materials of puja. Usually , there will be a large congregation in a plain area particularly on a hilltop, where they perform puja offering flowers, gingers etc. to the God and pray for well being of all the living creature of the world. Thereafter they sing the song called sili cham and perform dance called Sakewa Sili. In this dance, the group of male and female hold their hand together and sing and dance. The dance symbolizes the spirit of their togetherness, fraternity and above all the feeling of joy close to nature. The dance is usually performed for praying good harvest in the coming season. In a way, the Sakewa puja and dance also symbolizes the close relationship between man and nature and their co-existence. The people start sowing and cultivating only after performing puja of the soil without which there will be no good harvest and also danger to the life of the people around. This is their firm belief and tradition that without which it is considered unholy to cultivate the land. After performing puja, they distribute wachipa, a kind of food which is very popular among them.The Sakewa is also observed by the Rai community in their homes. In their homes, they specially construct a room for puja and install three stones (called sumlung) making a furnace called Samkha. Each lung or stones have their own names called Suptulung, Taralung, Shakhalung (others Rai of sub caste call them by their own names). While performing puja, they light the fire in the furnace and call the names of their forefathers and offer food grains, millet, ginger, water etc.. The water is used in a pot called Wabuk or Salawa, which is made out of a kind of fruit of a dried plant. Most of the Rai people in ancient times used to perform puja basically offering meat etc. in the name of their forefathers but the new generation discarded most of the primitive kind of offering puja. The people of Tikpur, West Sikkim and Daragaon, Rimbik, Darjeeling perfom puja by reciting and chanting words from their holy book Sunghoom and beat the drum. If they have to organise a religious ceremony in the village, they beat the drum called Hongken and Siliken loudly and soon the people gather on hearing the sound. If some one is working on the field, it is their bound duty to rush before the congregation. In ancient times, when there was any trouble or threat, they would beat the instrument loudly and people used to gather within no time.
The beating of Hongken and Chamukhi or Jhyamta is one of the interesting features of performing Sakewa puja and Sili. It marks the new season and new beginning among the people. Indeed a time for celebration and prayer for prosperity. Not uncommon amongst many communities of this region
