In utter embarrassment, Shing excused his guest to sort out the issue with his wife in the kitchen. Both of them were ashamed and could not fathom the reality of the situation, as they recalled umpteen joyful experiences of kind words and lavish meals at his mansion. However, there was nothing to offer on his maiden visit to their home. Both of them were looking at each other with pity and guilt that could not be mended, except to vanish forever from the earth.
After a long wait, the honourable guest, Nik, was astonished and decided to check on them. As soon as he stepped inside the kitchen, he found both of his beloved friends lying on the floor in a pool of blood, while the hot water in the empty pot was boiling. Instantly, he could gather the reason for the mishap and realised the virtue of friendship that they sacrificed. Without a second thought, the generous merchant mourned over their dead bodies and vowed to accompany them in eternal bliss.
The tragedy was isolated from society and, by nightfall, the hamlet was silent when, suddenly, a stranger sought refuge and witnessed only one dark hut with an ajar on the door. He was a thief who was chased by the mob and assumed to be safe sneaking inside that hut, as he discretely entered, hiding in the corner of the room for fear that he could be caught by the people.
The thief dozed for the night and woke up early at dawn, only to discover the queer incident. Before he could further extend his thoughts, the sun’s rays had already stretched the light inside the hut. At that moment, the thief was apprehensive of venturing out of the hut, because, apart from being caught stealing, he might be accused of being a murderer as well. The wretched criminal has no option but to succumb to his destiny. When the local folks found out later that day, they recalled the plight of the poor couple and felt guilty for their inability to help, even as the story of their friendship with the generous merchant echoed throughout the entire hamlet.
Since then, sharing betel nuts along with lime-smeared betel leaves has become the symbol of mutual respect, and the most honourable gesture in an egalitarian society. Wealthy families and poor families share a piece of betel nut or “Kwai” as a mark of mutual respect without acknowledging their possessions. Although, Kwai signifies betel-nut, the usual collective term for the combined ingredient of betel-nut, betel-leaf, and lime is called “Kwai”.
It is through divine intervention that betel-nuts, along with the lime smear betel leaves, are part of the Khasi culture in every aspect of human relationships. In the folktale, betel-nut impersonates Nik, the generous merchant. The couple, U Shing and Ka Lak, represented betel-leaf or ‘Tympew” smeared with lime or “Shun” and the thief was portrayed as the tobacco or “Dumasla “.
Lime is always smeared on the betel-leaves depicting the pair to be consumed along with the betel-nuts, while tobacco is usually inserted in the corner of the mouth. It reflects the structure of Khasi society, where betel-nuts and betel-leaves are vital ingredients planted and plucked from the field, including tobacco leaves, as an additional ingredient, depicted as a male construct. Lime is extracted from beneath the earth and is a minor ingredient in providing the flavour of the edible stuff, depicted as the female construct.
Further, lime is elemental stuff – a water-soluble solid – used primarily in the building industry. It is also used as a cleansing agent and as fertiliser. For the Khasis, lime is a cultural marker of tremendous significance. Lime carries a mythic metaphor for blood. It is used for divination purposes and, since ancient times, has been highly valued for its curative powers.
Hence, the literal application of lime for casual purpose is known as ‘Tah’ or smear and ‘Shun’ or lime; however, for certain implications, it is termed as ‘Thoh Shun’, usually accompanied by chant. Thoh Shun is a Khasi word of cultural significance for every auspicious occasion. ‘Thoh Shun’ in Khasi literally means ‘To mark with lime’ or ‘Lime marked’. As a concept, it has a highly auspicious connotation that inspires positive and salubrious action.
Thoh Shun is one of the most significant customary performances of the Khasi people. It is an auspicious intervention into any situation of an ordinary or momentous occasion. At the Ïingsad at Smit, there is a post where lime is marked to keep the data of offerings brought about by the citizens during the Pom Blang Hima ceremony, which culminates in the popular Nongkrem Dance Festival. When one enters a place of sanctity, lime is marked to purify their mind and body.
When an infant is taken out or exposed in public, particularly at night, lime is marked at the temple of the child to protect from the cast of evil power. When someone is venturing into a challenging task, lime is marked to divert any obstacle. When a person suffers from any ailment, lime is marked around the infected portion of the body. For example, if a person is affected by stomach-ache, lime is marked around the navel to prevent constipation, diarrhoea and dysentery; even a solvent diluted with ash is fed to hinder the disease.
A daub of lime is always compulsory for a person to carry for a simple thing like mixing with betel leaf and betel nut for consumption to a severe action of casting away evil. Lime is white in colour- a symbol of purity and a matter to wash away all sorts of impurities. In recent times, lime has been marked at the main entrance entering Sohpetbneng peak during the annual pilgrimage atop the sacred mountain range.
Likewise, betel-nuts and betel-leaves possess curative properties for different ailments and betel-leaves, especially, are the most effective medicinal paste for instant protection and prevention of infused bleeding. Furthermore, a piece of the “Kwai” ingredient is important for various rituals and ceremonies, particularly for the departed souls.
