SHILLONG, FEB 3: They came in their thousands and climbed up the Sohpetbneng Peak (Umbilical Heavenly Peak) to play their respects to God as the followers of the traditional Khasi religion have been doing on the first Sunday of February for ages.
The Khasi believers ascended the 1,344-metre high peak, referred to as ‘navel of heaven’, near the Barapani, 16 kms from here, on Sunday. Once atop, they prayed, performed traditional rituals and rites, danced and sang songs.
The belief of the indigenous tribe is that heaven and earth is connected by a navel and the two are even linked with a metaphorical umbilical cord, a golden ladder symbolized by a tree atop a peak where the navel lies. This navel of heaven is located at 25.1′ and 26.5′ north latitude and between 90.47′ and 92.52′ east longitude atop the SohpetbnengPeak.
A popular legend has it that the Khasi race descended from Ki Hynniewtrep – Ki Khyndai Skum (seven huts on earth and nine huts in heaven), which are connected by a golden ladder (tree) on Sohpetbneng Peak.
This golden ladder was severed when sin crept into earth. Nine families remained in the celestial abode while the seven settled on earth and multiplied.
The Khasi sub-tribes- Khynriam, Pnar, Bhoi, War, Maram, Lyngngam of Meghalaya, are collectively known as Ki Hynniewtrep, which literally means Seven Huts, referring to the seven families, the first settlers on earth, according to the legend.
“The Khasis believe that in the days when righteousness prevailed there was a tree that served as a ladder to the original sixteen families for their communication between heaven and earth. This tree formed the golden bridge ensuring physical contact between man and god till the time when transgression became the order of the day and this bridge gave way destroying the communication link between heaven and earth,”
Sumar Sing Sawian, a Khasi elder, explained. “According to ancient Khasi faith, god can only be approached with a heart full of virtue and humility. God is like a mother with whom her children are linked through the umbilical cord, in which is symbolized by the golden ladder atop the Sohpetbneng peak,” Sumar said. (By Our Reporter)
+ There are no comments
Add yours