Sakhiya sets Tharu villages swaying for Dashain, but its traditional rhythms are fading

The centuries-old Sakhiya tradition brings Tharu women together in village courtyards to sing and dance through Dashain, but a shortage of traditional madal players and fading knowledge of ancestral rhythms threaten its original form

Sakhiya dance, which reflects the identity and culture of the Tharu community. All photos: Santosh Dahit

DANG:                            

                                                                                   “Danu dada danu ri dada danu dariuna bhali ra

                                                                                    Sakhi ra danu ri dada dariuna ri kahile

                                                                                    Tohi mai samirau Saraswati maiya

                                                                                    Sakhi ra Saraswati maiya syawa ri mori leo…”

Resonating alongside the beat of the madal (a traditional Nepali, double-headed cylindrical hand drum) and manjira (a traditional pair of small, hand-held clash cymbals), this very melody of the Sakhya song has made the Tharu villages joyful at this time. Tharu young women, busy throughout the day in farm and household chores, gather in the courtyard of the Matawa carrying manjira in hand after evening falls. As the Sakhya song begins to echo in their collective voices, the rhythm of the madal brings further vibrancy to the dance. With Dashain drawing near, the charm of the Sakhiya and Paiya dances has increased in the villages of the western Terai.

Sakhiya dance brings Dashain vibrancy to the village

Lalita Chaudhary of Bayarhatuwa village in Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City-16 remains busy throughout the day with Dashain preparations and household chores. After eating dinner in the evening, she reaches the Matawa’s (a traditional village leader, headman, or administrative position within the indigenous Tharu community) house in the village carrying a manjira in her hand. Some friends arrive before her, while others arrive together. As darkness increases, the bustle in the village also grows.

After the young women gather, men also arrive carrying madals. Once everyone is assembled, the indigenous Sakhiya dance of the Tharu community begins. Along with the melody of the Sakhiya song, the young women begin dancing collectively to the beat of the madal and manjira. Villagers also reach the Matawa’s courtyard to watch their song and dance.

In villages that remain mostly deserted otherwise, the charm of Dashain is added after the Sakhya song and the tune of the madal begin to echo. According to Bharat Chaudhary of Bayarhatuwa, a distinct bustle increases in the village as Dashain approaches. He stated that after the Sakhiya dance starts, an environment for villagers to meet and collectively celebrate festivals is created.

Sakhiya dance connected with the identity and culture of the Tharu community

For Lalita Chaudhary, who is also a leader (Mohrinya) of the Sakhiya dance, this dance is not just a medium of entertainment but a tradition of preserving the community’s indigenous identity and culture. “Our indigenous identity, civilization, and culture are connected with the Sakhiya song,” she said, “This very dance binds the village in unity. Various aspects of nature and culture are incorporated into the Sakhiya song.”

According to her, Sakhiya is danced for about 1 month on the occasion of Dashain. Women, busy all day in farming and household work, gather in the evening to sing and dance. This not only makes them forget the day’s fatigue but also provides an opportunity to meet each other and share joys and sorrows.

In Hanariya of Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City-7, the charm of the Sakhiya dance is similar. Although Sanumaya Chaudhary, a dance leader (Mohrinya) there, is busy all day with Dashain preparations and domestic chores, she arrives to dance Sakhiya in the evening. “We are busy with housework all day,” she said, “After eating dinner in the evening, we reach the Matawa’s house to dance Sakhiya. No matter how tired we feel during the day, dancing brings joy and washes away fatigue.”