SHILLONG, APRIL 15: Thousands witnessed the concluding day of the colourful thanksgiving dance festival, ‘Shad Suk Mynsiem’, at the LympungWeiking, Jaiaw here on Monday. People young and old belonging to the ‘Niam Khasi’ danced to the beats of the drums and melody of the tangmuri to thank the God for his blessings.
The Shad Suk Mynsiem, which is traditionally held in the spring, was organised by the Seng Khasi Seng Kmie.
Dancers were attired in traditional dress and gold and silver jewellery. The most important part of the women’s dress is the silver crown that adorns the heads of the virgin damsel. The crown and the ‘lasubon’ protruding from the nape of the neck speak of the qualities that the women should cultivate in their day to day life.
The jewellery piece of the male dancer is the silver quiver with three arrows. The arrows are associated with the rituals of the Khasi man from his birth to his death. The first arrow is designated to guard one-self, the second arrow is for guarding the honour of one’s family and clan and the third arrow is for the territorial protection of the first ancestral mother of the clan.
During Shad Suk Mynsiem the beat of the drums, and clang of the cymbals and the melodious tunes of the Tangmuri, a piped instrument, combine to produce pulsating rhythm. The dancing pattern changes according to the beats and rhythm of the music – the music that has been kept alive from the deep recesses of tradition
The festival is also a message that life should be meaningful, eventful and purposeful. The Shad Suk Mynsiem festival is also a reflection of the evolution of the philosophical concept of the society in all its dimensions: spiritual, cultural, political and social. It is a joyous celebrations of human life and invocation to the divine creator to continue to shower his blessings for the health, peace and prosperity of humankind. (By Our Reporter)
+ There are no comments
Add yours