Speak Your Roots

Tag: sustainability

  • Tynrai by Mario Pathaw

    Tynrai

    "Tynrai" is a Khasi term which means "Roots".

    This is a story written and illustrated by Pascal Mario Kmenlang Pathaw (Mario Pathaw).

    Mario says:

    It talks about the need of living in harmony with nature. The living root bridge of Nohwet, Meghalaya is the prime source of inspiration for this concept and the graphic novel takes shape in the form of a conversation between a grandfather and his granddaughter. The grandfather uses a tale as a tool to mentor her in preserving the living Root bridge. This tale also has bits and parcels of the indigenous practices, social structure, folk creatures and beliefs of the Khasi tribe.

    This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, events and incidents are the products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

    Tynrai (Roots) written and illustrated by @mario_pathaw (2022) is an English graphic novel which tells a story by fusing indigenous Khasi practices, focussing on the living root bridge with other aspects of Khasi folklore. Mario Pathaw's characteristic art lends depth and beauty to the narrative, drawing from the Khasi cultural imagination, echoing preservation and sustainability 🌲🏞️

    Ka jingaikhublei ïa phi @mario_pathaw ïa kane ka jingpynwandur kaba shynna bad shoh jingmut 😃👏 Nang kiew shaphrang ha ka kam ka jam bad ka sap ka phong jong phi!

  • Searching for “U Star” by Lapdiang Syiem

    We were looking to find u star for a new performance we were working on and our first instinct was to look for it in Ïewduh. The lady who was supposed to get it for us told us that there weren't anymore star available that were made from bamboo/ cane/ the natural twine da u thri..ngi ïa wad ïa u star ba thaiñ da u siej ne da u thri. The ones that were available were now mostly made of plastic. We also looked for it in a village called Nongpiur but again what was available was only made of plastic.

    Finally an aunt of mine told us you could still find u star siej in Smit. When I shared the story to more people, Junisha Khongwir told me that they still used it in her shnong (village) and she had used it that week itself to carry water. Careen Langstieh also informed me that recently she also found it in Ïew Mawngap.

    I wonder if in the future the plastic one will slowly replace the natural one. It would be unfortunate if that will be the case. U star siej can be polished with ka umphñiang bam (mustard oil) to keep it supple. It is used as a type of sling or a holder around ka khoh (conical basket) so that it can be easily slung across the back.

    I finally found this old star I needed for the performance from Mei Mei (my aunt) who, after hearing that it was not easy to find u star siej resolved to preserve the one she had lest it was lost…And my mother has also been on the lookout since recently letting me know that she found one in Mawtawar.

    "U Star" is the cane head strap that is wound around ka khoh, the conical cane basket, to carry an array of things. It is tragic that the production of cane star is diminishing in the face of the plastic one which probably lasts longer.

    Khublei Shibun @lapdiangsyiem for sending us something about your experience. Khublei Shibun for also using traditional Khasi utilities for your powerful performances! 😀🙏