Shillong: The two-day Shad Suk Mynsiem festival concluded on April 27 at Laitkor, marking a vibrant celebration of Khasi culture and faith.
Organised by Seng Khasi Laitkor Pyllun, a branch of Seng Khasi Kmie, the sacred gathering witnessed the participation of nearly 500 dancers, who performed traditional ritual dances to express gratitude to the Creator and seek blessings for the community.
Held on the local grounds of Laitkor, the festival paid homage to the ancestral deities Thawlang and Iawbei through prayers, dances, and spiritual offerings. The event drew a distinguished gathering, including elders from Seng Khasi Laitkor and Seng Khasi Kmie, members of Seng Khihlang, MDC of Nongkrem Constituency Kitborlang Syiem, and Paiem Habapan Syiem of Khyrim Syiemship.
In a colourful display of tradition, young women donning the symbolic crown (Ka Pansngiat) danced gracefully within protective circles formed by male participants armed with swords, quivers, and arrows — a ritual embodying the age-old Khasi duty to safeguard and honour women. Musicians, or Duhalia, provided sacred rhythms that imbued the grounds with a deep spiritual aura, enhancing the festival’s solemnity and cultural depth.
Having first organised the festival in 2007, Seng Khasi Laitkor Pyllun—now celebrating 50 years since its establishment—reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the essential values of Khasi Indigenous Faith. The festival reflects core principles such as righteousness (Kamai ia ka Hok), a divine-human connection (Tip Briew Tip Blei), and the importance of kinship (Tip Kur Tip Kha). As the festival drew to a close, organisers vowed to continue safeguarding this vibrant tradition for future generations.
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