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  • Ka Ksáw Ka Kpong

    "Ka Ksáw Ka Kpong" ka dei ka 'lei donbok ha man la ka jingpyrshang, khamtam ha ka beh mrad. "Ka Ksáw Ka Kpong" ka dei ka 'lei beh mrad ha kaba ki nguh ïa ka da kaba sieh hapdeng shnong ïa ki reng ne ka khlieh jong ka mrad kaba ki ïoh, haba ki beh da ka shnong, ha ka nam jong ka.

    "Ka tap ksáw" ka dei ka jingkñia shuwa ban leit beh mrad.

    Ka ktien "ksáw" ka don ruh ïa ka jingmut ba heh bok ne ba donbok.

    "Ka Ksáw Ka Kpong" is the goddess of good luck who figures in any endeavour, especially during animal hunts. "Ka Ksáw Ka Kpong" is the prominent deity of animal hunts, where homage is paid to her by planting the horns or the head of the animal who is killed during the hunt in the middle of the village or town. This is done when the hunt is undertaken by the village in the name of the goddess.

    "Ka tap ksáw" is the sacrifice that is performed before an animal hunt.

    The word "ksáw" also means possessing luck or being lucky.

    May good fortune always follow you 🌾🌾

    The Khasis have many gods and goddesses that play important roles in their day to day life. We would love to know more about Ka Ksáw Ka Kpong. Please tell us! 🌺🌺

  • An excerpt from”The History and Culture of the Khasi People”

    In this chapter entitled "Source of History" the author says that an effort has been made to write about the history of the Khasi people from the materials that they could gather, to "present a detailed account of both the political and cultural life from its earliest beginnings to the present day."

    Under the category of foreign accounts, the author says: Classical sources like the account of the Greek, Roman and Chinese starting from the 5th Century BC referring to Assam in general, indirectly allude to important socio-ecomomic and cultural conditions of the Khasi during the early period. Qazim's mention of fruits like citron, lime, lemon pineapple, orange, etc. produced from Assam in the medieval age refers to the cultivation of these fruits by the Khasi people who have grown them through generations till the present day.

    Mention of iron smelting, work in gold, silver and copper in Assam, in the early and mediaeval period refers to similar Khasi enterprises (of which we have evidence). On the proper basis of identification, we can make use of the foreign accounts and classical sources.

    References:

    1 Qazim was one of the earliest Muslim travellers to Assam.

    2 P. C. Choudhury, The History of the People of Assam to the 12th Century. A.D. and Ka Ryngi, Vol II, No. 1 and Vol II, No. 2.

    This is a great book you have to read! Thank you Miss @indariwarjri for the reminder! 🤗🤗

  • Excerpt from “Ka Jaitbynriew Ha Tmier Jong Ka Riat” by Barnes Mawrie SDB

    Kawei na ki jingbakla jong ka jaitbynriew jong ngi kaba la wanrah ïa ka jingma ïa ka lawei jong ngi, ka dei ka jingiehnoh ïa ka rep-ka riang khamtam ha nongkyndong…Ka khanatang jong ki hynñiewtrep hynniewskum ruh ka ong ba u Blei u la phah ïa ki sha pyrthei khnang ba kin rep-ki riang hapneh ka mei mariang. Kumta ngi dei ban sngewthuh ba ka rep-ka riang ka dei ka kam ba u Nongthaw hi u la buh-la mang na ka bynta ki briew. Baroh ki jaitbynriew ki burom bad tyngkai ïa kane ka kam, hynrei ma ngi ki Khasi pat ngim kheiñkor shuh ïa ka. Ha kane ka rukom ngi ïaidlait ïa ka hukum ne saiñdur jong u Blei bad deihok keiñ ba ngin ym ïoh jingkyrkhu na u. Ki longshuwa jong ngi ki la im da ka rep-ka riang bad ki la pahuh ka bam-ka sa, hynrei ha kane ka juk mynta pat, ngi hap wanrah jingbam na kiwei pat ki jylla.

    Ha ri Europe, ki briew kiba riewspah tam dei ki nongrep ym ki nongtrei sorkar, hynrei hapdeng jong ngi pat ka long markhongpong. Balei ka jia kumne? Ka daw ka long ba ki khyndiat ki nongrep ki basah mynta ki dei ki briew ki bymnang-bymstad bad ki rep beit da ka rukom ka barim khlem lah shuh ban pynheh-pynroi ïa ka rep-ka riang jong ki. Hynrei lada ki samla kiba la nangla stad pat kin rep, kan pher shibun namar maki kin wad da ki rukom rep ka juk mynta bad khlempep kin lah ban pynkiew ïa ka rep-ka riang. Ha u snem ba ka Israel ka la ïoh ïa ka jinglaitluid bad la ka jong ka ri, u Ben Gurion u nongïalam banyngkong jong ki u la ong ïa ki paid Israel "ngi long ka jaitbynriew bathymmai bad baduk mynta bad ngi donkam ïa ka jingïaraplem jong kiwei pat ki ri, hynrei ngin khrong na ki na ka bynta kiwei pat ki jingdonkam hynrei ym ïa ka bam." Dei nangne ba u ïa sdang ïa ka Green Revolution ha Israel ha kaba ka ri Israel ka la lah ban pynkylla lyngkha rep ïa ka ri shyiap bad ka la lah ruh ban pynmih ïa ka bam-ka sa ban pyndap-pynbiang ïa ka jingdonkam ka ri.

    One of the mistakes that we have made that can be a danger to our future is the abandoning of the practice of agriculture especially in the villages. Our folklore says that God had sent mankind to earth with the main purpose of living in the lap of nature by practicing agriculture. So we should understand that tilling the earth and planting crops is a God-given duty. All races and communities respect and value agriculture highly but sadly we seem to not have a high esteem for it. In this way, we move away from the command and mould of God and rightly, we lose his blessings. Our ancestors survived through agriculture and prospered by it, but in this generation, we have to bring in food and commodities from other places.

    In Europe, the wealthiest people are farmers and not those working in the government, but with us it is the other way round. Why has this happened? The reason is the farmers do not have the knowledge and are using old ways of agriculture, which will not increase their yield. But if the youth who possess the knowledge and means for agriculture can practice it with modern tools and aids, there will be change and it will improve the quality and yield of agriculture. In the year when Israel gained it's independence (14th May 1948), Ben Gurion, the country's first Prime Minister said: "we are a new race and poor right now and we need the help of other countries, yet we will ask for help in other things but not for food." It was from here that Gurion was able to start the Green Revolution in Israel, where Israel was turned into fertile ground from a desert and it was also able to produce enough food for the needs of the whole country.

    Farming and tilling the earth is something that we feel is not for us. But if we care about what we eat, if we question the cost of food and commodities, maybe we should start to feel the earth under our hands and sow and nourish what we take into our bodies. It's true gardening and farming requires a lot of work and effort but the rewards we reap are priceless for our mind, body and soul. Even if it's a small kitchen garden, you are taking care of yourself and the earth 💚💚💚

    🟡 English translation by @speakyourroots
    🟡Picture:https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.indiatoday.in/amp/magazine/state-of-states-conclave/story/20181203-striking-deep-roots-1393767-2018-11-24

  • Ki Rukom Ïaid /Different Ways of Walking

    Ïaid-khning-khning ka dei haba ïaid kynjing lem bad ki khohwah kiba rit i kum ban kheiñ noh/ to walk tip toe with legs that are so thin they look like they will break.

    Ïaid-khrup-khrup ka dei kaba ïaid kyrdem da ki juti halor ka madan/ to walk with thumping stomps.

    Ïaid-kjik-kjik ka dei haba ïaid ba pynsting ïa ka met, i kumba ym i kwah pyndei khyndew ïa la ki kjat / to walk while trying to lighten the weight of the body, appearing not to want the feet to touch the ground.

    Ïaid kniah-kniah ka dei haba ïaid bhabriew, i kumba ym i kwah ïakren briew shuh/ the walk of someone who feels so beautiful or handsome that they don't seem to want to talk to anyone anymore.

    Ïaid-knip-knip ka dei haba ïaid dkoh i kumba shon maw rit iba nep ha ki pohjat/ to walk with a limp as if there is a small stone poking the foot.

    Ïaid rynthew ka dei haba ïaid khlem da klum ne syndong ïa la ki jaiñ kiba noh/ to walk carelessly without gathering one's clothes around one's body.

    Ïaid shutïew ka dei haba ïaid suki than eh bad ïaid khlem rah ki kjat / to walk in an extremely slow manner without lifting the feet.

    Ïaid pawang ka dei haba ïaid kyreit bad pawang la ki kti haba ïaid, i kumba ym suitñiew briew/ to walk pompously not seeming to be bothered about other people.

    Here's a collection of different kinds of walks 🚶🏃🕺💃😂😂 There are still so many more but these are all we can "walk" with right now..phew! 😅

    Phi mynjur ne em ba tang na ka rukom ïaid lah ithuh ïa ki jinglong jong ngi? Can others guess how we are just by the way we walk? 😄🤔

    🟡 Source: Rev. Dr. Ïarington Kharkongor

    🟡 English translation by @speakyourroots

  • Another list of Khasi words

    Very young – Jawlia

    Why not – Haw

    Perchance – Tyndi Tynda

    Overcoat – Ka Blub

    Issues – Ki Matiïatei

    Interpreter – Dubasia

    Excitement – Ka Saw Ka Sian

    Another list of Khasi words that we can start using again so they become part of everyday speech 😀😀

    🟡 Source – Ka Dienshonhi: The Khasi Encyclopaedic Dictionary by Rev. Dr. Ïarington Kharkongor

  • Wang Bam Im and Wang Kushu

    Wang bam im

    Kine ki kyntien ki thew ïa ki briew kiba jemnud than eh haduh ba kiwei pat ki shim kabu ïa ki namar ba kim kheiñ briew shuh ïa ki. Kine ki jait briew ki ïa syriem ïa ka jait wang kaba lada shet ruh long bad lada bam im ruh kam buid satia. Kiwei pat ki wang hap ban da shet shuwa ban bam bad lada bakla shet ruh ki pynbuid ïa ka shyntur baroh kawei.

    This phrase symbolically refers to people who are too gentle and gullible to the point that people take advantage of them and completely disregard them. People with these qualities are likened to a type of "wang" plant called "Wang bam im" which can easily be cooked or eaten raw too, without causing any itching in the throat. In general, "wang" has to be cooked properly so that it does not cause any itching. On the other hand, there are other kinds of "wang" which even after being cooked properly still cause an itchy throat.

    Wang kushu

    Kine ki kyntien ki thew ïa ki briew ki bym ju hun, kiba thut biej wat ïa i daw barit eh ruh. Kine ki jait briew ki ïa syriem ïa ka jait wang khlaw kaba buid hi lada shet makna katno katno ruh.

    This phrase symbolically refers to people who are never content or satisfied; who become irritated or annoyed with the slightest reason. People with these qualities are likened to a wild variety of the "wang" plant called "wang kushu" which causes an itch in the throat even if it is cooked well. Thus, just like the plant, no matter how much anyone does, what they do is not going to be enough.

    From what we have read, "Ka Wang" may be categorised as Taro stems which are the young leaf stalks of the Taro plant. The Taro stems in the pictures are similar to what we call in Khasi as "ka wangpanai". The plant known for its starchy tuber has much to offer in its edible shoots, stems and leaves. The stems are typically from the young, new-growth leaves. Among the Southeast Asian cultures, the young, as-yet unrolled leaves and stems are cooked in vegetable dishes or soups.

    Taro stems are fibrous, so they are peeled prior to cooking. The tough outer layer is removed to reveal a more tender stalk within. Just like the leaves and corms, the stems contain an irritant called calcium oxalate, which can cause itchiness and swelling in the mouth and throat. Cooking the stems can remove the effect.

    If there any ethno-botanists please tell us more! 🌿🌿

  • Jngai na pyrthei da i Bhu Ianz

    JNGAI NA PYRTHEI KHLEM JINGKHUSLAI – NGAN SUH BEIT

    WIAW SHABA NGEN U BNAI

    KHLEM ARTATIEN NE JINGPYRWA – LA STANG NE RBEN KA PLA

    BAN LAIT NA JINGTYRHA MYNSIEM – HA PNEH RAM-EW AI

    NGAN SUHSIENG

    KHOP KHOP HA LA JINGLONG SHI SUR – NGAI LYNGNGAI HA

    JINGMUTDUR

    NGAN KLET LUT KHOIT IA SPAH BAD PHEW – TANG

    JINGKYNMAW BA NGAN KYNSHEW

    JNGAI NA BAROH RUH NGAM SNGEWPHER – JINGDIAW NGAN

    PIAM HA LA KI SNER

    LAIT TANG JINGMUT HA SUIÑ BAN PER – SET SLUNG LADE

    SHA KI HAJAR MER

    "Jngai na pyrthei" an original Khasi poem by @bhu_ianz ✒️📃 Thank you for the poem! 🙏

    The poem expresses a brave yearning for an escape and a freedom from the human world ☀️🌙💫

  • Ka Rangkylliaw

    Look at this beautiful moment when the mist transforms what we see and know 🤩🤩🤩💚💚💚 Thank you @dapp_theguyfromthehills for sending another series of enchanting pictures!

    He says: "Ïa kane ka jaka ki ong Rangkylliaw. Ka hap ha ka shnong Mawrah bad ïa kane ka jingkieng la shna da ki nong Mawrah. Ka Mawrah ka don ha ka Khatarshnong–Laitkroh Block, East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya."

    This place is called Rangkylliaw. It falls in the village of Mawrah and the bridge has been built by the people of Mawrah. Mawrah village is located in Khatarshnong-Laitkroh Block, East Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya. Mawrah is situated 8 km away from Khatarshnong-Laitkroh and 32 km away from Shillong.

  • Ki Thylliej Ding (Flames) from “Ka Ding Bad ki Deiriti U Hynñiewtrep Ha Ka Meirisawkun”

    Ki Thylliej Ding

    Haba ka ding ka meh bad pyning ïa ki tyllaw ka pynmih ïa ka jingkhaleh kaba ki ong ki thylliej ding. Kine ki thylliej ding ki don lai rukom ki rukom khaleh ba la tip kum ka pyning, ka lap lap bad ka jliah.

    Ka Pyning: Kane ka long u thylliej ding ba pyning ïa ki tyllaw. Ka dei ka bording banyngkong ba pyning ïa ki tyllaw.

    Ka Laplap: Kane ka long ka bynta ba ar jong ki thylliej ding kaba ai lad ïa ka pyning ban ïaineh ding ha ki tyllaw.

    Ka Jliah: Ka long ka bynta ba ha khlieh duh jong ka ding kaba shuiñ ïa ka lyer na trai khiew ba shet jingshet bad ka long ka bynta kaba lah ban pur ding sha kiwei ki tyllaw.

    Types of Flames

    When a fire alights and touches a firebrand, it grows in degree and produces what we call flames. Flames have three ways in which they function and intensify. These are Ka Pyning, Ka Laplap and Ka Jliah.

    Ka Pyning is the first flame that burns a firebrand.

    Ka Laplap is the second part of a flame which allows Ka Pyning to sustain the fire in the wood.

    Ka Jliah is the topmost part of a flame which touches the air, which strikes the bottom of the pot while cooking. Ka Jliah is also the part of the flame that will spread the fire to other pieces of wood.

    Have you ever stared into a fire? How it is made up of so many flames…the element which gave many civilisations the thrust to empower themselves 🔥🔥🔥

    Dr. Dondor Giri Nongkhlaw is a Geomorphologist who has written several books in Khasi which discuss the elements of the environment and their strong bond with Khasi life and culture.

    🟡 English translation by @speakyourroots

  • Kut ka speed

    "Kut ka speed" is a humorous phrase which is a combination of Khasi and English. "Kut" in Khasi means an end or a stop to something.

    So "kut ka speed" means the end of something that was looked forward to, like the cancellation of a picnic or the abrupt end to something which had promise like a failure in business. The use of the English word "speed" in the phrase emphasises the end or the stop to an action or event which was deemed to have momentum (in the literal and symbolic sense) but which met with an untimely end. The phrase also has the power of a warning, so as to caution someone, in case what they are doing will end up incomplete or as a failure.

    An example of the phrase in a sentence: "Ka bha ba phi mih kloi. Da mih kham sngi tang ka dheng kali ruh lah kut ka speed."

    This sentence can be translated as "You should leave early, otherwise the traffic will be kut ka speed". The phrase sounds unsuitable when the sentence is translated into English. It does not possess the same punch because it is meant to be a sentence in Khalish and not English. Further, the exact sense of the sentence is lost when we try to translate it.

    "Kut ka speed" is an interesting example of "Khalish", that is the combination of English and Khasi. The merging of indigenous languages with English is happening around the world and shows the development and evolution of language. This is present mainly in urban areas where people use English daily in their communication with others.

    Khalish in particular leads to funny phrases and jokes which have a distinct ring and flavour to them which is both indigenous as well as global. Though there will be many critiques, this phenomenon is here to stay and seems inevitable in the evolution of language.

    When you were planning to have that jadoh but when you reach the Kong says there's no more jadoh! Huuu…kut ka speed! 😂😂😂

    "Kut ka speed" is the Khalish equivalent of a buzz kill 😖 Don't deny it, especially the Shillongites 😅 Khalish has become a way of how we speak 😜

    Please comment with sentences having "kut ka speed" 😂😂