Speak Your Roots

Tag: culture

  • Acculturation by Wanhi-i Challam

    "Acculturation" is a lithography print by artist Wanhi-i Challam

    He says:

    The work is a lithography print that explores the effects of cultural assimilation and acculturation on the traditional values, language, religion, plants, animals, and ethnic values of the Khasi people. The print depicts two bridges – the root bridge of Nongriat representing Khasi origins, the relationship between Khasi culture and nature, metaphorically it also represents the "tangnoob tangjri" (as it is believed from the folklores that the Khasi people descend to earth through the golden ladder) and the Tower Bridge of the UK representing Western culture and lifestyle and the other cultures of the world, and also the effect that the Britishers brought on the Khasi culture and tradition when they ruled India. Bridges symbolize connections and, in this case, it symbolizes the connection between two different cultures and the impact of one on the other. There is no significant reason behind why I chose those two bridges specifically, instead I chose them because I found the structure and appearance interesting and used just as a representation of my idea.

    Joining the two bridges through this composition I try to portray how the Khasi people have adapted to Western culture and other cultures by adopting their lifestyle, values, religion, and language. If observed closely one can see the details where the indigenous people tread towards the tower bridge wearing their cultural dress, moving in the order from the most elderly folks, younger generation and then to the youngest daughter. As they move forward entering the tower bridge, some carry indigenous items and crafts with them, others perform cultural dance, and activities. When coming back from the tower bridge to the root bridge, everyone is dressed in western fashion, the order of their movement is random, the first person carries with him a chainsaw, symbolizing the harm caused to nature due to the demands of urbanisation and civilisation. Some are looking down at their phones as they walk back, while others carry with them the luxuries the western culture offers.

    Society brings people of different cultures together, and for them to live in harmony, it is crucial to have practices that facilitate such harmonious living. In fact, history shows that adopting elements from other cultures has always been present from generation to generation. It has happened in the past and is happening in the present, with or without our consciousness and it will continue to happen in the future too and we can't help to change that because the world is constantly changing. Each generation develops new lifestyles, technology grows exponentially, knowledge doubles, and culture also changes. Acculturation and assimilation will always occur, and nothing stays the same.

    But should we neglect the importance, values and essence of our own culture? To me the loss of culture, cultural practices and tradition is the loss of identity and origin and that is concerning if we don't even know about our origin and about our own people. The Khasi culture emphasizes a deep respect for nature and a strong sense of place and belonging, which aligns with modern notions of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. From a philosopher point of view there are infinite ways to live our life, and yes, we can choose any path we want.

    However, our culture's perspective on life is one of the most compelling and admirable ways of living. It is crucial to be aware of how much we are influenced by other cultures and adopt their ways of life, but we should strive to preserve the essential values and essence of our own culture that have been passed down through generations.

    The beauty and significance of "Acculturation" by Wanhi-i Challam is deep and multi-layered, embodying crucial lessons for the Khasi-Pnar community.

    Khublei Shibun @wanhii.psd ba phi la ai lad ban post ïa kane ka kam jong phi kaba itynnat bad kaba kit jingmut haduh katta katta 😄🙏

    Wanhi- i Challam is an artist from Jowai, Meghalaya. Currently, he is pursuing his Bachelor of Fine Arts at Kala Bhavana, Visva Bharati in the Graphics Arts/ Print Making Department.

  • Jymmang, Jympa

    U Jymmang, u bnai uba san jong ka snem, u dei u bnai pyrem. Kumba long kiwei pat ki bnai, u Jymmang u don saw taïew lane arphew phra sngi pura.

    Baroh ar ki ktien "Jympa" bad "Jymmang" ki ïa ïaid ryngkat ryngkat. Ka ktien "jym" ka long ka ktien tynrai. "Pa" bad "Mang" ki long ki ktien bynrap. "Pa" ka mut "per" ne "jngi" halor um bad "mang" ka thew ïa ka "rmiang shyntur" jong ka wah. Namar kata, ka ktien 'Jympa" ka mut kaba per ne jngi halor um katba ka ktien "Jymmang" ka thew ïa ka jingsdang ka um ne ka wah.

    Ha u Ïaiong u slap u la sdang ban hap. U shu hap teng teng tang ban ai um ïa ka khyndew bad ïa ki jynthung. Ka khyndew ha kawei pat ka liang, ban pynum ïalade, ka kjit lut ïa ka um slap baroh kaba hap ha une u bnai. Ki wah bad ki duid ruh haba ki ïoh slap teng-teng ki la sang ban tngen naba la tyrkhong eh baroh shi aiom tlang.

    Ha u Jymmang u slap u la sdang ban ther bad ki wah ruh ki la sdang ban nang kiew. Ki khynnah ap masi bad ki nongrep kumjuh ki sngewtynnat eh ban sum bad "jympa" ha une u bnai namar la "jymmang" ka um. Baroh ar ki ktien "jympa" bad "jymmang" ki thew ïa ka um tangba ki ïapher ha ka rukom jingpyndonkam.

    "Jymmang" or May, the fifth month of the year is a spring month. As the other months, May has four weeks or twenty eight days.

    Both words "Jympa" and "'Jymmang" go hand in hand. The word "jym" is a root word. "Pa" and "mang" are the supplementary words. "Pa" means to float or swim in water and "mang" refers to the mouth of a river. Thus, the word "Jympa" means to float or swim in water, while the word "Jymmang" refers to the beginning of a mass of water or a river.

    In April the rain begins to fall. It arrives intermittently so as to provide water for the earth and plants. The earth, to water and replenish itself, takes in all the rain water in this month. Rivers and streams who have received rainfall are rejuvenated since the dry months of the winter season.

    In May the rain begins to fall heavily with river levels rising. Cow herders and farmers enjoy to bathe and swim or float in water because of the increase in water level. Both words "Jympa" and "Jymmang" refer to water with the only difference being the way they are used.

    The Khasi names for the month of May have multiple meanings 🌦️⛅🌤️🌱🌿
    A knowledge of the seasons and what they entail is important for broadening our understanding of culture and practice. 😃🏞️🌄

    🟡 Source: Rev. Dr. Ïarington Kharkongor
    🟡 English translation by @speakyourroots

  • Language is the road map of a culture

    "Language is the road map of a culture. It tells you where its people come from and where they are going."

    – Rita Mae Brown

    Rita Mae Brown, born in 1944 is an American feminist writer, best known for her coming-of-age autobiographical novel, "Rubyfruit Jungle". Brown was active in a number of civil rights campaigns.