Kirateen -

Do you have Kirat heritage, or have you visited a Sakela festival? Share your story in the comments below! Disclaimer: This post is for educational purposes. The term "Kirateen" is used here as a collective ethnographic term; specific customs vary widely between Rai, Limbu, Yakkha, and Sunuwar subgroups.

Similarly, the Doko (bamboo basket) is a symbol of Kirat resilience. Due to their hilly geography, everything from a toddler to a sack of rice is carried in a Doko strapped to the forehead. The strength of a Kirateen woman is often measured by how much she can carry in her Doko . In the 21st century, the Kirateen face a crisis of identity. With the dominance of Hinduism and Christianity in the region, the younger generation is losing touch with the Mundhum . Many no longer know their Kuldevta (ancestral deity) or their clan's origin story. kirateen

Often called the "Lion People" for their fierce independence and bravery, the Kirateen hold a unique chapter in history: they are the first recorded rulers of the Kathmandu Valley, mentioned in the ancient Hindu epic, the Mahabharata . Do you have Kirat heritage, or have you