Khali Dance Ritual

Imagine anybody walking on fire.

        AND

Let me add some more fear factor to it. 

You do not have any safety jacket or other equipment.

        plus

NO SHOES.

Yup! You got that right, no shoes -- walking on the fire completely bare-foot.

More surprise to come.

It's not one of those things that you see on a Bruce Lee action movie or other cinemas.

One might say, "Ya, I've heard of that sort. Perhaps in Africa or China, or some indigenous tribes of America or Australia, for example."

It'll take most by surprise to know that this is actually a ritual from Nepal. Known for peace (forget about the current political deadlock, please), Nepal's this little-known ritual has a different story.

Cultural practices are varied and many a times amazing. Nepal's amazing culture are far beyond explored.

Preparation for Khalī ritual
Dhanesvar, Kabhre.

खली नाचको तयारी
धनेश्वर, काभ्रे ।

Image Courtesy: Shreedhar Poudel/Nepal Magazine, Kantipur Publications

The ritual that has been talked of is called Khali dance ritual. This is from the Dhaneswor (near Banepa city) Kavrepalanchok district, around 25 kms from the capital.

The rituals are that of [Godar] Thapa community. They walk on fire to commemmorate their dead ancestors. It is believed that this ritual would send the spirits of those who faced an early death in the community to heaven.

Making the Coals
Dhanesvar, Kabhre.

कोइला बनाइँदै
धनेश्वर, काभ्रे ।

Image Courtesy: Shreedhar Poudel/Nepal Magazine, Kantipur Publications

Coals are made of an effigy that shapes to death-bed ('cita' in Nepali) upon which dance is performed. Two 'dhami' (also termed witch-doctors [erroneously?] in English, perhaps for a lack of other term) join the family of the dead to perform this dance. 

Khalī Dance with weapons
Dhanesvar, Kabhre.

हतियार सहित खली नाच्दै
धनेश्वर, काभ्रे ।

Image Courtesy: Shreedhar Poudel/Nepal Magazine, Kantipur Publications