SHILLONG, APR 13: Thousands of onlookers watched the colourful traditional thanksgiving dancing festival-Shad Suk Mynsiem- held at the Lympung Weiking, Jaiaw, on Monday with abated interest.
The ‘Shad Suk Mynsiem’ also known as the Spring Festival was organized by the Seng Khasi Seng Kmie and kicked off on April 11 and concluded on Monday with hundreds of people belonging to the ‘Niam Khasi’, including young and old, taking part in the dancing festival accompanied by the beats of the drums and tangmuri to give thanks to God for all the blessings that he has bestowed.
During the dance, there was a display of lavish gold and silver jewelry forming part of the attire of the dancers.
The most important of the women’s wears is the silver crown that adorns the heads of the virgin damsel. The crown and the ‘lasubon’ follower protruding from the nape of the neck, speak of the characteristic qualities that the women should cultivate, in the day to day life, in the upbringing of the children in the home and family.
The Jewelry piece of the male dancer is the silver quiver having three arrows. The arrows symbolize lifelong companies of a man, from birth till death. In the naming ceremony three arrows form part of the rituals after the birth of a boy child. The first arrow is designated to guard one-self, the second arrow is for guarding the honour of one’s family and clan and the third arrow is for the territorial protection of the first ancestral mother of the clan.
It is in the Shad Suk Mynsiem that the beat of drums, cymbals, the melodious tunes of the piped instrument-the Tangmuri, has a systematic discipline of rhythm, which is pulsating. The pattern of dancing responds to the change of beats and rhythm of the music.
A music that has been kept alive from the deep recesses of tradition
The festival is also a message that life should be meaningful, eventful and purposeful.
The Shad Suk Mynsiem festival is also a reflection of the evolution of the philosophical concept of the society, in regard to spiritual, cultural, political and social aspects, culminating in the joyous expression, imploring and invoking the divine creator to shower the divine blessing, that humankind aspire, which is health, peace and prosperity.- By Our Reporter
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