CM attends Sakewa celebration at Pabyuk, announces ‘Heritage Guardian Award’

GANGTOK, (IPR): The State-level celebration of Sakewa, an annual thanksgiving ceremony of the Rai community dedicated to Mother Earth, was held today at Pabyuk Naitam in Shyari.

The programme was attended by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, as the chief guest along with his wife, Krishna Rai. 

In his address, the Chief Minister highlighted the message of Sakewa, underscoring the State government commitment to celebrating and strengthening community life and cultural heritage. He urged that the Sakewa celebration be observed annually at Naitam village and emphasised the need to preserve, promote and carry forward the rich cultural traditions.

The Chief Minister called upon the youth to take responsibility in safeguarding and promoting their culture and traditions, and reiterated that Sikkim is renowned for its unity in diversity. He also spoke about the progress of the community, reflected on the history and significance of language, and stressed the importance of its development and promotion.

Tamang also highlighted the government efforts in ensuring the inclusion of 12 left-out communities in Scheduled Tribe list.

The Chief Minister further announced that “Heritage Guardian Award” will be instituted by the State government and conferred once every two years on August 15 to individuals who have made significant contributions towards the preservation and promotion of culture and heritage.

Area MLA Tenzing Norbu Lamtha underscored the need to safeguard indigenous culture and traditions and appreciated the efforts of Akhil Kirat Rai Sangh (AKRS) Sikkim in fostering community harmony. The programme was organised under the aegis of AKRS Sikkim.

He also placed the grievances of the constituency and expressed hope that the area would emerge as a tourism hub, noting that it possesses many unexplored locations with strong tourism potential. He further expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for his continued support to the people of the constituency and highlighted the developmental progress achieved.

In his address, AKRS Sikkim president Dr. Bimal Kumar Rai elaborated on the history of the Rai community and expressed gratitude to the land donors, stating that the programme will now be observed as an annual event, as a permanent place has been established for the performance of Silikha. He highlighted the cultural, spiritual and social significance of the festival and its vital role in preserving the rich traditions of the Kirat Rai community.

He also spoke on the vision of the Chief Minister and the developmental initiatives undertaken for the welfare of the community, including the Chief Minister’s efforts in securing tribal status for 12 left-out communities of the State. Emphasising the need to work towards language development and the safeguarding of culture and tradition, he further placed the grievances of the community. He concluded by expressing gratitude to the area MLA and the people of Shyari for their continued support and cooperation.

The celebration began with Lamtupma, one of the most sacred and significant rituals of the Sakewa festival.

Earlier, The Chief Minister visited the stalls and Mangkhim. A Suptulung Dopma (Puja) was held followed by performance of traditional Tosh-Lung / Sakewa-Lung rituals (Ferma) to thank nature.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister felicitated land donors Amber Kumar Rai of Pabyuik and Uttarman Rai of Lower Burtuk, and PhD scholar Dr. Tenzing Zangmu Lepcha for her ethnographic report on the Rai community. 

The programme also witnessed book release of M.D. Rai, OSD, Culture department, and Sili and Lak performances by different branches of AKRS.

Also present were, ministers, MLAs, advisors, chairpersons, OSDs, government officers, AKRS members, religious figures and other dignitaries.