Sacred Rituals of the Kirat Rai: Cemetery Inauguration by Nachung Priest Rest in Peace Appa

The Kirat Rai community, indigenous to Nepal, celebrates various rituals deeply rooted in their ancestral traditions and beliefs. When inaugurating a cemetery, a ritual is often performed by the Nachung (a Kirat priest) to sanctify the land, appease the spirits, and seek blessings from the divine.
Purpose of the Ritual:
1. Sanctification: To purify the cemetery land, ensuring it is free from negative energies or spirits.
2. Connection with Ancestors: To honor and seek blessings from the spirits of the ancestors.
3. Appeasement of Nature: The Kirat tradition emphasizes harmony with nature, so offerings may be made to local deities, the earth, and the sky.
4. Protection: To invoke blessings for the safety and well-being of the community.