by Arati on Saturday, August 14th 2010, 1:33 PM
The Kirat Khambo Rai of Sikkim,
Their Lifestyle and Custom at a Glance:-
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 terms denotes for a single community which is now, popularly known as 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 vedhas and it covers Rai, Limbu, Sunwar, Gurung, Manger, Tamang and other 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. Still majority of Rai people reside in many parts of the state. They are mainly concentrated in South and West District of the State.
Festival: In this former Himalayan kingdom, the Rai people used to perform Sakewa puja or Udyoli and Ubhyoli from ancient time in the villages of the State but following the recognition of their language by the ruling SDF Government, the people began to perform the puja in a grand manner.Indeed, the State Government has declared Sakewa as a State holiday.
The Rai People are gentle, simple by nature and hard working who worship nature as their creator and protector. They call themselves Khambu, Kirawa or Rothungcha. They were and are mainly cultivators who love to live in the hilly region
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