About Us

Kirat Rai Yayokkha UK (KRY UK) is a non-profit indigenous cultural and community organisation representing the Kirat Rai people living across the United Kingdom.

The Rai community is one of the major indigenous Kirati communities originating primarily from eastern Nepal, representing a rich and diverse collection of languages, customs, traditions, rituals, and ancestral identities united under the broader Rai identity.

The migration and settlement of the Kirat Rai community in the United Kingdom is closely connected to the long history of service of Kirat Rai and other Nepalese indigenous communities in the British Army for more than 200 years, strengthening the historic friendship and relationship between Nepal and the United Kingdom since 1815. Following UK immigration and settlement policy changes in 2004 and 2005 relating to Gurkha veterans and their families, many serving and retired Gurkha soldiers and their families settled across the United Kingdom, where the community continues to make a positive contribution to British society.

The organisation is based at Kirat Rai House, a community-owned site purchased in 2014, which serves as a central hub for cultural, social, educational, spiritual, and community activities.

KRY UK brings together the diverse Kirat Rai linguistic communities — including Aathapahariya, Bahing (Bayung), Bantawa, Belhaare, Chamling, Chhiling, Chhintang, Dewas, Dumi, Dungmali, Jerung (Jero), Khaling, Koyee/Koyu, Kulung, Lohorung, Lungkhim, Mewahang, Mugali, Nachhiring, Phangduwali, Puma, Saam, Sampang, Thulung, Tilung, Wambule and Yamphu — as one inclusive indigenous community, promoting unity, cultural preservation, equal participation, mutual respect, and intergenerational heritage within the United Kingdom.

KRY UK is committed to preserving and promoting the wider Kirat Civilization heritage through cultural events, traditional rituals, language preservation, music, dance, oral history, community engagement, youth participation, and social empowerment, while strengthening harmony, inclusion, and cultural understanding within wider British society.

Each year, KRY UK hosts two of the most important cultural festivals of the Kirat Rai community — Ubhauli (“Ascending”) in May and Udhauli (“Descending”) in December. These important indigenous Kirati celebrations take place at Kirat Rai House, bringing together communities from across the United Kingdom to celebrate culture, nature, ancestral traditions, music, dance, and community unity.