Less we forget about the history of the Seng Khasi’s year ending day — ‘Ka Seng Kut Snem’
The indigenous faith of the Khasis, Ka Seng Khasi still have a strong hold in the hills of the 'Hynniew-trep' 'Hynniew-skum' despite the arrival of Christianity to these hills. And this is evident from the number of Seng Khasi faithful who throngs the 'Weiking ground' to witness the Shad Suk Mynsiem festival or 'Dance of the Happy Soul' or the Lum Sohbneng or Golden Ladder to partake in the annual festival and of course, the Seng Kut Snem festival.
As the Seng Khasi observes the 117th Seng Kut Snem today (Wednesday), let us rehash our memory about this festival
Here's few facts about the Seng Kut Snem
## Seng Kut Snem literally means the annual year ending day of the Seng Khasi. Just to be clear, this celebration is not a form of a New Year celebration as celebrated by many other communities in India but a form of Community Prayer for protection of the distinct identity of the Khasi Race.
## The festival starts with a colourful cultural procession known as "Iaid Pyni Riti" usually from the Seng Khasi Hall at Mawkhar and eventually culminates at Lympung Weiking where prayers are offered to the God the Creator and lectures on the Khasi faith and ways of life are delivered followed by a cultural programme. The procession depicts the different facets of the indigenous culture and faith.
## A point to be noted, the Seng Kut Snem is a festival that is observed to mark the Seng Khasi Movement, a nationalistic movement to overthrow the foreign yoke, a continuation of the struggle against the British in Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills in the early 19th century.
## During the British rule, continued assault on the indigenous faith and culture of the Khasis and Jaintias led sixteen young men to form an organization called the 'Khasi Young Men's Association' on November 23, 1899 to preserve and safeguard the indigenous way of life also known as 'Niam Trai Niam Tre'.
## In 1900, the Khasi Young Men's Association celebrated its first anniversary and called it Seng Kut Snem and the occasion is celebrated every year to commemorate that movement. In 1901, the Association was renamed 'Seng Khasi'.
Source: Internet
Image: Representational/Internet
