Speak Your Roots

Tag: talklocal

  • Ani!

    A simple three letter Khasi word that is used to express pain, surprise, joy and sometimes even anger and disgust depending on how it is said. The variation in the tone adds a plethora of meaning to the expression, I use it frequently especially when I am unsure of how I am supposed to react to something and when I am usually speechless. My Khasi equivalent to the English version of “hmmm” for when I do not know what to say. I think in Mizo it also means paternal aunt. My friend’s daughter calls me Ani Bibiana (because I am friends with her father). Unsure of the spelling in Mizo, but the pronunciation is the same. One word, so many meanings.

    Ani!" sent by @bibianaryntathiang 😳😨😰😱😫😓😖 Ani! Thank you for sending this! 😂😂

    Bibiana Ryntathiang is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English, St Mary's College, Shillong, Meghalaya.

  • The Khasi State Formation (Mario Pathaw)

    The Khasi State Formation

    In the Khasi State formation or settlement, there are four levels in which the formation takes place

    1. Kur: A family of the same descendant constitutes a clan called "Kur"

    2. Shnong: A group of these kur forms a village or a colony or "Shnong"

    3. Raid: A group of these colonies forms a political unit called "Raid"

    4. Hima: Collectively, all the Raids form a Native State/Provinces which is termed as "Hima" and is headed by a Ruler-Syiem

    Kur – Ka kur ka dei ka jingïadei jong ka doh ka snam, ha kaba ïa kane ka jingïadei la kheiñ na ka liang jong ka kmie da ka jingai ïa kajuh ka jait. Ka kur ka bat bad tehsong ïa ki longïing longsem.

    Shnong – Ka shnong ka dei ka jaka kaba kynthup ïa ki katto katne tylli ki ïing.

    Raid – Ka raid ka kynthup ïa ki shnong kiba hap hapoh ka jingkhmih jong uwei u nongsynshar.

    Hima – Ka hima ka kynthup ïa baroh ki raid kiba don lang ha ka shi jaka.

    "Ka kur" comprises of a Khasi clan which determines lineage, and whose clan name is taken from the female relatives.

    "The Khasi State Formation" is an art piece by @mario_pathaw 😃😃 It explains from the beginning how the Khasi polity is created.

    Khublei Shibun @mario_pathaw for this beautiful illustration! 🙏🙏🌲🌲

    🟡 Please zoom in to read