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Subdued Seng Kut Snem held

By Staff Correspondent

SHILLONG, Nov 23 - The annual year-ending festival of the indigenous Khasi faith, the 121st Seng Kut Snem, was celebrated today at the Weiking Field here, but a major attraction of the festival, the colourful dance, was given a miss due to the pandemic.

Traditionally, a procession is taken out each year from the Fire Brigade ground to the Weiking Field with a large number of people of all ages dancing and singing, though this year this procession was not taken out.

In the morning, the Seng Khasi Kmie hoisted the Seng Khasi insigne at the Seng Khasi Hall in Mawkhar. Later in the afternoon, around 100 attendees were part of the celebration held at Lympung Weiking, Jaiaw.

This festival marks the Seng Khasi movement in which the indigenous people of the Khasi-Jaintia Hills region began a movement against British atrocities on the indigenous way of life.

As part of the movement, 16 young men formed an organisation 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.

To commemorate the first anniversary of the movement in 1900, the Seng Kut Snem was celebrated and has continued till date to remind the people of the movement and its objectives.

At the Weiking ground where the dance is held, is a major attraction of the festival, was not performed. However, all other rituals were held by the priests to thank God almighty. The festival is also a form of community prayer for protection of the distinct identity of the Khasi race.

Unlike the earlier years, stalls wherein one could savour different Khasi cuisines and buy Khasi souvenirs were also absent. On the occasion, two medical professionals, Dr Werlok Kharshiing of the Woodland Hospital and Dr RS Thangkhiew of Super Care Hospital was felicitated for their contribution to the society.

Meghalaya Governor Satya Pal Malik, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and leader of the Opposition, Mukul Sangma all greeted the people on the occasion.

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