Shillong, Nov 3: Beautiful, young damsels in gold ornaments and sturdy, young and valiant young men brandishing the swords was a feast to the eyes as they danced in the annual Khasi festival Shad Nongkrem reminding and showcasing the age old religion, culture and heritage of the Khasi.
Like every year, this ancient festivals of the indigenous Khasi was in the scenic hamlet of Smit, the headquarter and capital of the Khasi state of Hima Khyrim just twenty kilometer from Shillong.
The Shad Nongkrem dance is held during autumn at Smit.. The five-day long religious festival of the Khasis, Ka Pomblang Nongrem dance is known throughout for showcasing the rich culture of the Khasi, one of the three indigeneous tribes of Meghalaya. The other two are Jaintia and Garo tribal.
Meghalay Chief Minister Mukul Sangma released a souvenir of the “Pomblang and Shad Hima Khyrim 2012” of the Dorbar of Hima Khyrim earlier on the day.
Sangma said during the release of the souvenir the need to strengthen the partnership between the government and traditional institutions not only to “preserve” and “promote” the rich traditional and culture of the state but to infuse the traditional values among the young generations.
Sangma warned that the traditional and cultural values are slowly getting diluted with globalization.
The Nongkrem Dance is performed to appease the all-powerful Goddess Ka Blei Synshar for a rich bumper harvest and prosperity of the people.
The Syiem (King) of Khyrim along with the high priest performs the Pomblang ceremony. He offers oblation to Lei Shyllong; the God of Shillong peak by sacrificing a cock. An important part of this festival is Pomblang (sacrifice of goats). Then offerings are made to the ancestor and ancestress of the ruling clan.
The religious part takes place before the Nongkrem dances. In the dance unmarried girls in all their exotic costumes takes part. Young men dressed in their rich traditional attire also dance in the arena in front of the Iing Sad (thatched palace). They hold swords and white Yak hair whisks in their hands, keeping time to the changing beats of drums and haunting tunes of the tangmuri or pipes.
The women dance in the centre called ‘Ka Shad Kynthei’ with such tiny steps that the lifting of the feet is hardly seen. Their arms are held at the sides and their eyes are solemnly cast down to show modesty and obedience.
The silver or gold crowns that they wear signify the glory and dignity of the Khasi matrilineal society. The ‘Tiew Lasubon’ (a rare sweet scented golden colored flower found only in the deep jungles), worn on the crown indicates the purity of women. They wear the finest silver and gold chains, bracelets and earrings during this festival.
The Nongkrem dance is one of the major tourists’ attractions of the state. – By Our Reporter
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