Tag: khasi

  • Khasi words that share the same spelling with English words but carry different meanings

    King: A male ruler in some countries. In Khasi "king" means to stir something.

    Sing: To make musical sounds with your voice. In Khasi "sing" means lion.

    Song: Words that go with a short piece of music. In Khasi "song" means the action or the process of packing something.

    Tong: A tool used for picking things up. In Khasi "tong" means carrying, ladling or lifting a bucket of water.

    Stem: The long, thin part of a plant that the leaves and flowers grow on. In Khasi "stem" is the colour Yellow.

    Tap: The part at the end of a pipe which controls the flow of water. In Khasi "tap" means to cover or to put something over something else.

    Mop: A piece of equipment used for cleaning floors. In Khasi "mop" means a number or a group of friends

    "Song", "King", "Tong"…here are some Khasi words who share the same spelling as English words but have completely different meanings! Thank you @beccaellie05 for this entry! 💙💙💙

  • “Ka Ktien Khasi Jong Ngi” da Labianglang Diengdoh

    Ha sla pyrthei la kha ia nga,

    Nga san longbriew, nga im pura;

    Ryngkat jingieid i mei i pa,

    Ha la ka ktien ba ngan kren bha.

    Ym tang ban kren kumta la biang,

    Hynrei ban thoh te ba ngan nang;

    Kumta jingstad sawdong ka phriang,

    A-B, ka jinghikai ka sdang.

    Ka ktien khasi shisha ba iar,

    Ha ri khynriam bad ha ri pnar;

    'Sohra'- Ka ieng 'tien salonsar,

    Ban ia biang lang, ban ym kulmar.

    U Thomas Jones na ri sepngi,

    U la wanlam dak thoh khasi;

    ia jait bynriew ban lam lynti,

    Ban ym sah dum bynriew khasi.

    I'u la tip haduh kine ki sngi,

    Kum u kpa ki dak thoh khasi:

    Khlem don ma u ba prat lynti,

    Ngi lah sah dum ha la ka ri.

    Ki longshuwa da buit ba iar,

    Lyngba jingeh ki khih ki ksar;

    Ban roi ban iar ka thoh ka tar,

    Ban ym sah bieit, sah dum jynjar.

    Rai-eh Rai-dam, hei! ka bym kai,

    Kam dei ka mutdur pyrkhat rngai;

    Kat ban sawar ka ktien shongsbai,

    La ha ka kren khana ne rwai.

    Maitang! haram kam dei ho phi,

    la longshuwa baieid jong ngi;

    Burom shi junom bhor Ia ki,

    Shikit-iapar kam long na ngi.

    Kumne Ia la ka ktien ngin ieid,

    Ngin kren ngin thoh te khlem jingriej;

    Nangne pateng kan khih kan smiej,

    Sha jngai kan phet ka dum ka bieit.

    -Labianglang Diengdoh

    Original poem: "Ka Ktien Khasi Jong Ngi" written by @_i_g_d_r_e_a_m_e_r_

    Thank you for sending this entry! 🎉🎉

    Speaking, reading and writing in our indigenous language may be described as a persistent and consistent act of resistance to forces that may endanger it.

  • Ka Nam by Esther Syiem (Lamkhmat/ Foreword and dialogue excerpt)

    Ka Lam Khmat

    Ki thied ki jaw jong kane ka drama ki sam shaduh ki thymmei jong ka long rynïeng man rynieng ka jaitbynriew Khasi. Ki pud ki sam jong ka pat, ki ïar kat ban kdup lut ïa ka long briew man briew shi snieh ka pyrthei ha khrum ka beng. Ki tyngshop ki puron ki ïeng na ka bynta bun kiei kiei kiba ym lah jer lut hangne. Ka Nam bad ka kmie jong ka ruh ki ïai kha ïalade bun syrtap ha ka mynta ka jong ngi. Ki long kiei? Ïa kane nga ieh ha ka jingbishar bniah bad ka jingthew sawar jong phi baroh.

    Ha kane ka jingpyrshang barit ki don bun kiba la iarap bad kyrshan lem ïa nga. Nga ai khublei kyrpang ïa ki. Nga pynpaw ka jingsngewnguh kaba khraw ia I Kong Temsula Ao, I kong Badaplin War bad I Kong Antoinette Kharmalki ki nongai mynsiem ba rhem. Nga ai khublei ïa I Bah D. Rocker L. Nonglait bad I Kong Mumtaz B. Jyrwa kiba la kloi ban pule bniah ïa kane ka jingpyrshang barit bad ban kdew ruh ïa ki jingduna baroh.

    Nga pynpaw ka jingsngewnguh ïa u khunruit uba la ai jingmut ha ka ba thoh, bad ïa u hymmen rangbah uba la kyrshan ha kaba shon їa kane ka kot.

    Khublei Shibun

    Ka Esther Syiem

    'Moor-Ville'

    Riatsamthiah

    Shillong

    July 2006

    Ka Nam: Ko mei 'ngi ym don ba pynwit ïa nga. Ki dei tang ki jingpyrkhat jingpuson ki jong nga miet la bad sngi ki bym ailad ïa nga ba ngan ïaid pyrshah ïa ka jingïatiplem jong nga.

    Folktales in the oral tradition provide a rich literary and cultural heritage, which speaks volumes about our beliefs, values, principles as a community.

    "Ka Nam" (2007) a Khasi play by Dr. Esther Syiem is a reimagination of the Khasi folktale "Ka Nam and the Tiger".

    A reimagination is a return, a retracing, a reinterpretation, a reworking that perhaps in the case of this folktale, provides a different angle to the character of "Ka Nam". This reimagination is one that is explored for all the characters of the folktale starting from "Ka Nam". As the author states in the Foreword of the play, the life and limit of the play permeates the depth and pervades the condition of being human.

    Ka Nam is a Khasi play written by Dr. Esther Syiem, based on the Khasi folktale of Ka Nam bad u Khla. The play is well-crafted and deeply insightful of man's relationship with Nature. Most importantly, it highlights the will and independence of the human individual through the twist at the end of the play.

    The book is available at Ri Khasi Book Agency, Mawkhar, Shillong.

    Cover photograph taken by @i_a_duppy_conquerer

    Dr. Esther Syiem is a Professor in the Department of English, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya.

  • Khasi words derived from English words

    There are words in the Khasi language that are derived from the English language. here are some of them:

    TAKSI – TAXI

    PONGSHOR – PUNCTURE

    SALAT – SALAD/ LETTUCE

    BOS – BUS

    PRISBIN – FRENCH BEANS

    BARANDA – VERANDAH

    PHILTAR – FLITER

    SKUL – SCHOOL

    BATAR BISKIT – BUTTER BISCUIT

    POLICE – PULIT

    SKART – SKIRT

    OPHIS – OFFICE

    KOMPIWTOR – COMPUTER

    TB – TV

    SLIPAR – SLIPPER

    BOL LAIT – LIGHT BULB

    JOK – JUG

    MOK – MUG

    KITLI – KETTLE

    DOKTOR – DOCTOR

    NOS – NURSE

    PHRIJ – FRIDGE

    TAIAR – TYRE

    PHUTBOL – FOOTBALL

    BOL – BALL

    PAIT – PIPE

    SHINGKOM – CHEWING GUM

    SHOKLET – CHOCOLATE

    SHUK SHAMBAR – SHOCK ABSORBER

    MOTKAD – MUDGUARD

    Khasi words derived from English! 😂😂 Thank you for your contributions! They certainly made everyone grin, smile and laugh 😄😀😂

  • Layers of History: Essays on the Khasi-Jaintias by David R. Syiemlieh

    Layers of History: Essays on the Khasis-Jaiñtias (2015) by David R. Syiemlieh.

    David R. Syiemlieh is a retired Professor of History from North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya. He has also served as the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission of India.

    The seventeen essays in this collection relate to the Khasi-Jaiñtias of Meghalaya in North-East India and cover a time span from their pre-colonial past, through the colonial era and into more contemporary times.

    The book is published by Regency Publications and is available on amazon.in

  • Ka Jingïamareh Kob ki Wah da Esther Syiem

    Ka Jingïamareh Kob ki Wah , ba la ïathuh da Esther Syiem, Dur: Benedict Hynñiewta

    Ka Ïew bad ka Ngot ki ju sngewtynnad ban ïalehkai ha u lum hajrong. Ha kawel ka sngi, ka Ïew kaba kham shlur, ka la peit ïa ka jingshat ka sngi ha ki them shajngai bah bad ka la khot ïa ka Ngot, ka para kaba ju sngewtynnad ban shong mutdur, pyrkhat marwei, sha ka jingïakob mareh. Ha ka shi khyllipmat ka Ïew ka la kylla sha ka wah kaba kynthih ïa ki lum ki wah ban poi kloi shathie. Ka Ngot kam banse shuh ban bud lang… Mano ban jop?

    La ïathuh ïa kane ka khana pateng da ka nongthoh bad u artis, kiba ïoh mynsiem na ka mariang kaba dap da kiei kiei kiba jyrngam bad ba itynnad ha Meghalaya. Kane ka khana ka sngewban bang ïathuh ïa ki jnit ki jnat jong ka jingïamareh kob, katba ki jingdro pat ki tbeh sha kata ka jingïamareh na ki lum sha ki them.

    Ka Jingïamareh Kob ki Wah sien shon banygngkong eh ha ka ktien Khasi ïa kum kane ka kot dur.

    Ka nongthoh, Esther Syiem, ka hikai English Literature ha ka skulbah North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong. La palat shiphew snem eiei ba kane ka nongthoh ka la pyrshang ban wad bad plait bha ïa ki khana pynriewspah jaitbynriew jong ki Khasi. Ka dei ka nongthoh kaba thoh lang ha ka Khasi bad ka Phareng, ka nongthoh poitri kaba pawnam. Ka la pynmih ar tylli ki kitab poitri, ka drama Khasi, ka kot shaphang kine ki khana bad kiwei de ki ese.

    U Benedict Hynñiewta u dei u artis uba la pass na Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan, West Bengal. Ïa ki dur jong u, la lah pyni ha ki exhibition ha Ri India baroh kawei. U sngewtynnad ban put bisli bad u don bynta ruh bad ka folk fusion music group.

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    Originally in Khasi Race of the Rivers, Retold and Translated by Esther Syiem, Pictures: Benedict Hynniewta

    Ka Ïew and Ka Ngot love to play on the hilltop. One day, the adventurous Ka Ïew looks at the sun shining down on the distant, sun drenched plains and challenges her quiet sister to a race. In a flash Ka Ïew becomes a river, ready to rush downhill, and Ka Ngot has no choice but to join her… Who will reach first?

    This well known Khasi folktale is brought to life by a writer and an artist, both intimately connected to and inspired by Meghalaya's varied, lush landscape. The evocative text delights in detail, while luminous illustrations flow alongside, taking the reader on a mood-filled journey from the hills to the plains.

    Race of the Rivers has also been published by Tulika in Khasi, in which it was originally written. It is the first ever picture book for children in that language.

    Writer Esther Syiem teaches English Literature at the North Eastern Hill University, Shillong. She has been involved in the study of Khasi folk literature for more than a decade now. A bilingual writer and established poet, some of her publications include two collections of poetry, Oral Scriptings and Of Wit and Wisdom of Follies and Frailties, and a play in Khasi, Ka Nam.

    Artist Benedict Hynniewta is an alumnus of Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan, West Bengal. Benedict's art has been displayed in exhibitions across India. Currently, he teaches painting in North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong. He loves to play the bamboo flute and is also part of a folk fusion music group.

    Ka Jingïamareh Kob ki Wah the Khasi folktale of the rivers Umngot and Umiew, retold and translated into English by Dr. Esther Syiem and illustrated by @benedictskhemlang

    This book has been translated into different Indian languages including Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Gujarati and Marathi. It is a perfect book for children! 🌻🌻🌻

    Both Dr. Esther Syiem and Benedict Skhemlang Hynñiewta teach in North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya.

    The book is available at tulikabooks.com and amazon.in

  • Ñiuma

    Ka ktien "Ñiuma" ka dei ka ktien kaba pyndonkam haba mut ban ong ym lei lei ne koit. Kum haba ong “Ñiuma, nga mynjur ïa kaei kaba phi batai".

    Ñiuma is a Khasi word that we hardly hear nowadays. It means yes, alright or very well. In a sentence we can say: “Ñiuma, nga mynjur ïa kaei kaba phi batai" which translates into "Yes, I agree to your explanation."

    Ñiuma" sent by @laurentium2021 😄 Thank you!

  • En

    Do you know that the Khasi translation of "Stop Crying" is neither "Wat ïam" nor "Ynnai ïam"? "Wat ïam" or "Ynnai ïam" is translated to "Do not cry". Then what is the correct Khasi translation of "Stop crying"? Do not puzzle over the answer. Have you heard of the word "En"? Yes, "En" is the correct Khasi translation of "Stop Crying" Therefore, when kids cry, mothers would respond: "En noh khun ïoh wan u Khla". "Stop crying child lest the tiger comes".

    "En" sent by @manbha.syiemlieh Khublei Shibun for an interesting entry! 😄

  • Ieid Thep Mynsiem

    The Khasi phrase "ieid thep mynsiem” translates to a love which literally keeps someone safe in one's very own soul. It is a phrase used to describe familial love, love amongst the closest of friends, or even lovers.

    "Ieid thep mynsiem" sent by @laia.naomi 💜💜💜 Khublei Shibun!

  • Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem

    Wallam says:

    Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem is celebrated in the month of April as a thanksgiving to mother nature for good harvest and for fresh sowing of seeds. Both men and women participate in the dance where the steps of women are subtle, whereas those of men are more energetic. Men play a part of protectors for the women who are inside the outer circle. Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem dance is also symbolic of women's fertility where they are receptacles of seeds and bearers of fruit, and men are cultivators who plant, cultivate and nurture the seeds until they are harvested.

    Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem sent by @wallam__ Khublei Shibun!