Humans, inherently capable of motion, transform every basic action into a practice. These practices, through repetition, develop into experiences, which then become habits. Whether these habits are positive or negative, they have the potential to influence others, eventually evolving into customs that spread throughout communities and beyond. Over generations, these customs solidify into traditions, and in turn, meticulous traditions can evolve into a faith based on effective human relationships within society.
In Khasi culture, such faith is personal and not to be imposed on others. The belief system remains within the individual or family, guided by the wisdom of elders. If a practice is questioned, one may seek an alternative that, if harmless, can gradually be introduced to the wider society. This search for the divine, or ‘Ap Jingong’ in Khasi, symbolises the covenant between humans and the divine through nature.
The Khasi perspective contrasts with other cultures in its approach to respect and social conduct. For instance, while touching feet as a sign of respect is common in Hindu tradition, it contradicts Khasi egalitarian principles. Instead, Khasi culture emphasises not crossing between two conversing individuals, a practice that applies to all, regardless of social standing. Even nobles and royals express apologies when navigating through groups, highlighting the universal application of respect and decency. This approach signifies the community’s thought process and its emphasis on equality: looking neither up to nor down on anyone, but rather straight ahead, symbolising mutual respect and egalitarianism.
Such principles are exemplified in the titles ‘the emperor the slave’ (U Syiem U Mraw) and ‘the emperor the mother’ (U Syiem U Kmie), which portray the chieftain not as a ruler, but as a servant and nurturer akin to a mother, reflecting his duty to care for all citizens and subjects as a family. This illustrates the core of Khasi culture, where societal roles are framed not by power, but by responsibility and care, offering a unique perspective on leadership and communal harmony.
The Khasi faith embraces a universal concept that transcends rigid traditional practices, allowing its followers to adapt their religious performances to what they deem fit and appropriate for their environment. This inclusivity and flexibility reflect a profound respect for the diversity of beliefs and practices within the Khasi community and beyond.
Unlike many religious traditions that name and ascribe specific forms to their divine entities, the Khasi approach to divinity is characterised by abstraction and functionality. The term ‘Blei’ captures the essence of the ultimate divine being, embodying omnipotence and omniscience without being confined to any physical form or gender. This supreme entity oversees a pantheon of deities, each associated with particular aspects of life and the natural world, such as land, home, nature, and various elements of human endeavour and well-being.
Interestingly, some of the nomenclature for these deities suggests a syncretism or influence from neighbouring traditions. For instance, the domestic deity ‘lei ïing,’ also known as ‘Lukhimai,’ parallels the Hindu goddess Lakshmi, symbolising prosperity and well-being within the household. Similarly, ‘Biskorom,’ the deity of aesthetic and structural design, mirrors the Hindu god Vishwakarma, the divine architect. These connections highlight the dynamic interaction and mutual influence among the diverse cultural and religious traditions of the region.
‘Lukhimai’ or ‘Lukhmi,’ especially revered in the Bhoi region, is intimately connected with agriculture, embodying the sustenance provided by paddy or rice. The collaboration of ‘Biskorom’ with the twelve stone masons (‘Khatar Kamar’) and nine carpenters (‘Khyndai Kamar’) reflects a deep respect for the crafts of construction and artistic creation, recognising these skills as divine gifts necessary for the development of society.
The broader term ‘Ryngkew Basa’ for deities, associating them with natural elements like stone, water, and trees, signifies a reverence for nature as the abode of the divine. This perspective emphasises the sacredness of the earth (‘Ryngkew’) and the transient, yet significant, presence of the divine in makeshift shelters (‘Basa’), symbolising the omnipresence of divinity on earth and within the cosmos. Through this lens, the Khasi faith offers a rich tapestry of beliefs that underscore the interconnectedness of humanity, the natural world, and the divine, inviting a reflection on the ways in which different cultures understand and honour the sacred.
In the spiritual tapestry of the Khasi people, diviners, priests, and priestesses communicate with a universal divine entity that transcends specific identities, forms, genders, or numbers. This entity is envisaged through symbols derived from natural objects, embodying a transcendental nature that encompasses all divine entities worldwide. Such an approach reflects a profound inclusivity, welcoming the diverse spiritual expressions of humanity.
Khasi spiritual practitioners embody this universality in their prayers, unhesitatingly invoking the names of deities and sacred terms from various global faiths, such as God, Bhagwan, Allah, Yahweh, Buddha, and using affirmations like ‘om’, ‘amen’, and ‘mashallah’. This openness signifies a recognition of the interconnectedness of all spiritual paths and the shared quest for the divine.
The materials used in offerings and rituals are equally diverse and inclusive, ranging from rice grains, eggs, and cowries to fruits, bananas, and incense sticks. This flexibility ensures that the offerings are meaningful and appropriate for the intended divine intervention, regardless of the specific materials used.
Sacrificial rituals, while including animals such as cows, pigs, goats, and mandatorily roosters, also demonstrate adaptability. Alternative offerings can be used to respect the prohibitions of different communities or clans against the use of certain animals, highlighting a respect for varied beliefs and practices within the larger Khasi community.
Clan-specific taboos, such as abstentions from consuming particular animals or vegetables, are respected in communal rituals, ensuring that the spiritual integrity of each group is maintained. This tolerance extends to ceremonies like the ‘Rongkhli’ festival in Nongtalang, where, despite traditional practices like leopard sacrifices, individual clan prohibitions, such as those of the ‘War Nongjri’ clan against consuming feline products, are honoured.
Such practices underscore the Khasi commitment to compassion, empathy, tolerance, forgiveness, and inclusion, setting a profound example of how communities can celebrate diversity and maintain harmony. The Khasi spiritual ethos thus serves as a beacon of how faith, tradition, and custom can coexist peacefully, transcending differences to uphold the sacred bond of humanity.
The essence of the Khasi faith profoundly illustrates a belief system that transcends conventional religious boundaries and notions of divinity. It presents a perspective where the concept of God, as traditionally understood in many world religions, is not applicable in its purest form. Instead, the Khasi faith embodies a holistic view of the divine, encompassing all of existence without ascribing to it a specific identity, form, or gender. This view positions the soul of every being as a fragment of the divine, thus emphasising an omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient essence that pervades everything.
This belief system seamlessly integrates elements of animism, humanism, and astrology, recognising the sanctity of celestial bodies, nature, and humanity alike. It posits that humans, while unable to directly encounter or perceive the divine in a physical sense, engage with it through the reverence of nature and the cosmos, and through the relationships and interactions among fellow humans. This inclusive and expansive view naturally fosters a deep respect for the environment, advocating for its protection as a sacred duty.
The Khasi faith’s approach to morality and ethics is uniquely inclusive, viewing every individual, regardless of their actions or character, as part of the divine whole. This perspective encourages tolerance, reconciliation, and forgiveness, even towards those who may be considered adversarial or harmful, suggesting that they, too, are aspects of the divine. Such an approach does not excuse bad behavior but rather emphasises the potential for redemption and the importance of compassion in human relationships.
Notably, the Khasi belief system embraces a form of universalism that acknowledges all spiritual and religious figures, along with every human being, as manifestations of the same divine essence. This inclusive view extends to deities and demons, good and evil, as merely different aspects of a singular, interconnected reality. It suggests that every element of the cosmos, every aspect of human experience, is imbued with divinity, and that these seemingly opposing forces are integral to the whole.
Central to the Khasi faith is the principle that these beliefs are personal and should remain within the domain of individuals or kinship circles. There is a deliberate avoidance of proselytisation or imposition of beliefs on others, reflecting a deep respect for personal and communal autonomy in spiritual matters. This aspect underscores the Khasi faith as a profound, secular, and democratic form of spirituality, one that is perhaps misunderstood or misrepresented by contemporary interpretations or religious advocacies.
The Khasi faith, with its rich tapestry of beliefs and practices, presents a compelling example of a belief system that prioritises the interconnectedness of all life, the sanctity of nature, and the intrinsic value of every individual. It is a testament to the diversity and complexity of human spirituality, offering insights into how faith and religion can evolve and adapt to embrace a more inclusive and compassionate understanding of the divine.
