Nwagi festival

Nwagi (Nepali: न्वागी), also spelled Nuwagi or Udhauli, is a major festival celebrated the by Rai people and also other Kirati ethnic community. Nuwagi also call by Rai sub-groups: "Nagi or Dedam" in Kulung, "Chowaa" in Chamling " Chhachhuwa" in Bantawa, "Nuwagi or Khamang" in Lohorung, Yamphu and Mewahang languages.

elder Rai man performing Nuwagi ritual at house

Nwagi is celebrated prior to eating the harvested food crops, some of which are offered to ancestors and nature gods. Locals believe that if somebody eats the crops without celebrating Nwagi, they will be cursed by their ancestors.

Nuwagi Cycle

Kulung Rai priest performing Nagi/Dedam or Nuwagi ritual at house

The nuwāgi cycle celebrates the first fruits offering and is the most important ritual occasion during the harvest season in autumn, in the month of Kārtik (October/ November). The ancestors are presented with the new rice or millet, and only after they have eaten can the household consume the newly harvested grains. Thus it is a happy occasion: it is a time when the work of the year is about to be completed, the hard days of food scarcity (Nep. anikāl) are over and food is plentiful again. As a good harvest depends on the support of the ancestors, they have to be satisfied and given their share. As honoured guests, they are invited and given the best of foods before everybody else, and they are asked to remain benevolent and supportive. The nuwāgi is a half-day feast marked by a communal meal to which a good number of relatives and neighbours are invited.