Chulo Puja: A Ritual of Kirants

This year on my journey to eastern Nepal, I got to see Chulo-Puja of kirant community for the first time in my life. Even though I am a kiranti, I had never seen one.

Nakchhong is followed by his associates, Jhyamtes and Dholes, who play drums and cymbals.

Kirant is one of many indigenous communities in Nepal. One key belief among our community is that ancestors are our protectors and gods. We, kirants, believe that our ancestors are always with us in the three stones of typical fire stove, called chulo. During uvauli festival, the greatest festival of Kirant community, ancestors are worshiped by nakchhongs or the shamans through these fire stoves giving the ritual its name “Chulo Puja”.

Nakchhong or the shaman links the living with the spirits.

Before the ritual starts, the host or the owner of the house has to prepare three things. 1. a fire in the firestove 2. pure alcohol (usually water, yeast and millet) and 3. a sharp weapon (usually a khukuri). The host also has to offer refreshment and money to all the team member tagging along with the nakchhong, even the kids.

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Pure alcohol is offered to ancestors through the stones inside the house. However, ancestors who died “dishonorably” such as suicide are not allowed inside the house. These ancestors or “jagitra” are offered holy alcohol outside.

Jagitras are offered pure alcohol outside the house as they are not allowed to enter inside.

Nakchhongs in kirant community are bridge connecting living with our ancestors and spirits. He adorns himself with porcupine quills and peacock feathers. It is believed that knowledge is passed to a ‘nakchong’ in his dreams. When he wakes up, he has all the skills and powers of a shaman.

Watch the video of chulo puja here: