Faith and religion are deeply personal convictions, rooted in individual experiences and beliefs about the existence and impact of spiritual forces on one’s life. It requires courage and dedication to explore the depths of spiritual understanding, as faith is not merely a matter of convention or inherited tradition, but a journey towards truth guided by personal conviction and evidence.
Each person, born with essential senses and the capacity for thought, must navigate their own understanding of life and the supernatural as they grow and encounter the mysteries of existence. As individuals mature, they become increasingly aware of the vastness of the universe and the limitations of human intelligence, often conceptualising a divine entity, such as God, to explain the inexplicable.
However, the transmission of faith through generations can sometimes lead to adherence to tradition without true comprehension of its customs and practices. In communities, the consensus of the majority often prevails, overshadowing the wisdom of the few unless it can be articulated in a universally understandable manner.
People may find it easier to rely on assumptions rooted in distant history than to confront the uncertainty of recent realities, leading to blind faith in ancestral beliefs that may not be fully understood. Yet, the stories passed down through myths, legends, parables, and folk tales offer valuable insights into life’s mysteries and serve as a lens through which to contemplate the present and envision the future.
Ultimately, faith is a journey of exploration and discovery, requiring introspection, critical thinking, and openness to new perspectives. It is through this process that individuals can deepen their understanding of the spiritual realm and cultivate a meaningful connection to the divine, grounded in personal conviction and authentic experience.
Drawing from the myth of the dance festival of all creatures, where the rooster’s crow convinces the sun to rise again, we find a profound lesson in humility and acceptance. Despite the initial skepticism of creatures like the arrogant elephant and conceited hornbill, all eventually acknowledge the simple truth: the sun has risen once more. This tale, passed down through generations, serves as a timeless reminder of the power of humility and the inevitability of natural cycles.
The elephant, symbolising strength and pride, learns gentleness over time, carrying its trunk through generations as a testament to this transformation. Similarly, the hornbill, known for its arrogance, recognises its mistake and carries its bill with humility through subsequent generations. These symbolic gestures underscore the enduring wisdom embedded in the myth, transcending time and modern knowledge systems.
However, despite the foundational wisdom inherent in such myths, subsequent generations have strayed from the path of true spiritual understanding. The religious performances and rituals they engage in often become mere acts of appeasement, lacking the depth of connection with the divine that characterised earlier times.
This loss of connection is symbolised by the fallen Diengïei tree, representing the destruction of the tree of life, and the detachment of the Jingkieng Ksiar Sohpetbneng, symbolising the severed link between humanity and the divine.
This prophetic insight into the degradation of the environment and the breakdown of communication with nature is a sobering reflection on humanity’s relationship with the earth. Despite our temporary existence, we have exploited and damaged the very source of our sustenance, while the earth itself remains resilient and enduring.
In the end, all beings, including humans, follow the same cycle of birth, growth, decline, and ultimately, return to the earth. It is a stark truth that underscores the importance of humility, respect for nature, and a deeper connection with the divine — a connection that has been lost in the pursuit of temporary gains and material wealth. As we reflect on these timeless truths, we are reminded of the need to rekindle our bond with nature and strive for a more harmonious existence on this precious planet.
The advent of sophisticated technology, propelled by human intelligence, has often overshadowed ancient wisdom regarding life and the natural environment. In today’s society, the consensus of the masses often prevails over the expertise of traditional practitioners who possess deep knowledge of nature. This shift has led to a mockery of democracy, where mediocrity is celebrated and genuine expertise is marginalised.
In various fields, including herbal medicine, there is a preference for quick fixes rather than a thorough understanding of the subject. Those with superficial knowledge may receive more attention than true experts who possess profound understanding and spiritual insight into their craft. This trend towards instant gratification permeates all aspects of human endeavor, prioritising short-term gains over long-term well-being.
Moreover, the pursuit of excellence often devolves into a race for accumulation, where time is valued more than genuine competency. This pressure to excel can lead individuals to resort to fraud and trickery rather than authentic expression of skill.
In the realm of religion, there exists a distinction between mere adherence to religious teachings and the deeper experience of faith. Religion often dictates exclusive devotion to a particular deity or belief system, whereas faith transcends such boundaries, embracing universal righteousness and truth.
While religion teaches confidence in the divine without question, faith is rooted in a clear understanding of one’s beliefs, doubts, and uncertainties. True faith involves acceptance of what one knows, denial of what one does not know, and reservation regarding uncertainties.
Unfortunately, many religions today are treated as matters of blind faith rather than thoughtful understanding. This irony underscores the need for individuals to cultivate genuine faith based on knowledge, discernment, and spiritual experience, rather than simply adhering to inherited beliefs or societal norms.
THE DYNAMICS OF SOCIAL CHANGE
The impact of British colonial rule on Khasi society brought about profound social changes that continue to shape the community’s dynamics today. These changes, rooted in legislative and judicial systems established by the British, have persisted into the modern democratic framework of India.
Before British intervention, Khasi society experienced a fluid exchange of customs and traditions with neighbouring communities, which gradually evolved into local customary laws. However, British officials often imposed their interpretations of these laws without considering the nuances of local context.
One of the most significant social changes imposed by colonial rule was the transformation of family structures. Previously, Khasi families were matrilineal, centered on the maternal lineage, with clan members living together and daughters forming new family units.
However, under British influence and the spread of Christianity, a shift towards patriarchal family structures occurred. Men began to prefer living with their wives and nuclear families, leading to the emergence of a new custom where husbands moved to their wives’ households.
Despite this shift, Khasi men continued to fulfill responsibilities towards both their maternal and marital families, often dividing their time and resources between the two. This dual obligation placed a burden on men, leading to instability in their occupations and financial decision-making.
Over time, this imbalance empowered Khasi women, particularly the youngest daughters or sisters, who often became the sole inheritors of family resources, overshadowing the claims of other siblings. This shift in family dynamics has had a lasting impact on Khasi society, highlighting the complexities of social change under colonial rule.
The prevailing trend often sees the youngest daughters of Khasi families taking advantage of their position to exploit ancestral properties and family possessions, sometimes even at the expense of abandoning their parents and elder siblings. This situation is exacerbated when the youngest daughter marries someone from another community, especially if that person follows a patriarchal system.
In such cases, the young women may fully adopt their husband’s patriarchal culture, including changes in personal conduct, attire, cultural behavior, and even religion. This undermines the cultural influence of their elder siblings, as the economic power held by the youngest daughter makes her susceptible to the prevailing patriarchal norms.
There are instances of urban Khasi women marrying wealthy older Khasi men and manipulating them into transferring their personal wealth into the wife’s name, as per tradition. Subsequently, these women may betray the trust of their elderly husbands, abandoning them to elope with younger men from other communities, often against the wishes of their own children.
Sometimes, these situations escalate to mysterious murders of the legitimate husbands, either to avoid resistance or to ensure a stable life with the new partner. Despite enjoying a lavish lifestyle during their prime years, these women may later experience remorse as their social standing declines with age. However, they may return to their ancestral properties, ousting their siblings who have maintained them, and embark on a life of repentance, seeking solace in religion.
Surprisingly, society may tolerate and even respect these women, attributing social contributions to their newfound religious fervour. These incidents highlight the complex social dynamics prevalent in urban Khasi society.
