By Raphael Warjri
At this assembly, spiritual beings assumed human form, choosing intelligence and committing to divine conventions: earning righteousness, abiding by maternal and paternal kinship, and acknowledging human and divine conscience. However, certain large animal species, such as the python serpent and the tiger, harbored resentment towards humans, as divine sanction granted humans dominion over all creatures on Earth.
The python, vowing to accumulate wealth and consume human auras, expressed animosity towards humans and the tiger, who complied with the mother decree, ‘Ka Meihukum.’ In response, the serpent declared vengeance against the tiger, humans, and all creatures in the congregation.
Concerned by the serpent’s attitude, the mother decree, ‘Meihukum,’ condemned it to the subterranean realms, where the python now inhabits caverns and caves, while the tiger roams the Earth’s surface. To safeguard against future perils, Mother Earth birthed thunder and earthquakes, tasked with rejuvenating the planet periodically.
Before this intervention, Earth teemed with innumerable creatures, each having evolved over eons in response to the surrounding environment’s weather conditions. Thus, the divine congregation and subsequent actions shaped both the natural world and humanity’s relationship with it, highlighting the intricate interplay between divine will and earthly phenomena.
Mother Earth reveled in the flourishing life of all beings, while the mother decree fretted over their harmonious coexistence. The serpent, once malevolent, transformed into a benevolent being, expressing concern to influential human leaders ‘U Sormoh’ and ‘U Sorphin’ about the rapid growth of the giant tree ‘Diengïei.’
Motivated by self-preservation, the serpent warned that the spreading branches of Diengïei would block sunlight, creating a haven for mighty animals to prey upon weaker creatures, including humans. Tantalized by this revelation, ‘U Sormoh’ and ‘U Sorphin’ mobilized mass support to chop down the tree, ignoring divine convention.
Despite relentless efforts, the tree regenerated each day until a wren intervened. Initially disregarded, the wren demanded a portion of the paddy field for nourishment in exchange for revealing the cause of the strange phenomenon. It disclosed that the tiger, each evening, licked the wounds of the slashed tree, aiding its regeneration.
To thwart this, the wren proposed placing axes and machetes at the slashed portion with the blades facing outward, severing the tiger’s tongue when it attempted to heal the trunk. With the tiger incapacitated, the mission of the serpent to sow discord among creatures and exact revenge upon the tiger succeeded.
This event marked the end of the golden era, ‘Aïom Ksiar’ or ‘Sotti Juk.’ The collapse of the giant tree caused the disappearance of the golden vines connecting Earth and heaven, severing communication between the realms. Seven clans of spiritual beings remained on Earth, while nine clans resided in heaven, disrupting the clarity of communication.
In the absence of direct communication, humans turned to chants and prayers as alternative means of divine connection, signifying a shift in their relationship with the spiritual realm. Thus, the fall of the giant tree and the ensuing chaos underscored the fragility of harmony and the consequences of disrupting the natural order.
The remarkable intricacies of creation are further illuminated by science, which delves into the microorganisms of every plant and creature, elucidating their functions in the cycle of life with sustainable procedures and development. From the inception and growth of nascent life to the maturation of every organism, as well as the budding and blossoming of plant life, nature orchestrates a sophisticated structure of various components through the forces of energy it provides.
This complex internal operational procedure facilitates the simple and convenient existence and functions of the external components of life. It is a testament to the wonder of nature that it has created everything on Earth and in the universe with perfect precision, surpassing the comprehension of human intelligence. While it may seem effortless for a person to breathe, live, see, hear, smell, taste, and sense tangible touch and intangible thought, the composite mechanism within every creature, including the human body, and the accuracy of its operation are the marvelous creations of nature—often perceived as the work of a higher power or deity.
THE OPERATIONAL CYCLE OF NATURE
The forces of nature intricately govern the conduct and behavior of every living creature within the surrounding environment, which itself is an effect of nature’s influence. Even the most peculiar and candid occurrences occasionally take place due to the predetermined stages of consequences dictated by nature. Seasons change according to the natural course of elements, with every creature participating in causing these shifts.
Among all creatures on Earth, humans have played a pivotal role in bringing about tremendous changes in the external environment, to which nature responds appropriately. However, the internal functions of every component within the composite structure of every creature are stimulated by the energy forces driven by nature.
One of the most significant manifestations of energy stimulation by the power of nature in human beings is the menstruation cycle experienced by every female after reaching puberty. In Khasi culture, this process is termed as the regular cleansing operation by divine force. Universally experienced by women worldwide, this natural process plays a crucial role in stabilizing the human reproduction process on Earth.
This menstrual cycle is a vital factor in matrilineal customs, as a woman must undergo this natural process inherent in every female to become a mother. During this period, the woman may not be fully aware of her conduct and behavior towards the surrounding environment, particularly during pregnancy and throughout her lifetime of conscientious motherhood.
It is essential to emphasize that the value of human life lies in the thorough process of conception within the mother’s womb for ten lunar months. The primary action of the couple prior to conception is a momentary experience of temporal and emotional involvement, with sexual pleasure being secondary. However, human focus often leans towards the secondary aspect of sexual relationships, neglecting the primary and challenging aspect of life creation, which rests entirely on the disposition of the mother.
THE INTEGRATION OF FARMING AND LUNAR CYCLES
Farming stands as a crucial component of the production cycle, wholly reliant on the laws of nature. In livestock rearing, domestic animals undergo a reproduction process akin to humans, necessitating meticulous calculation based on the lunar cycle for their nurturing. Similarly, each crop is planted, nurtured, grown, and harvested during specific seasons according to the lunar cycle unique to each crop, followed by seedling for continuous planting in subsequent seasons. Farmers determine breeding and cultivation tasks based on natural cues provided by the lunar calendar.
In Khasi culture, seasons are calculated based on a lunar calendar composed of thirteen months, with each month containing approximately twenty-eight days, marking around fourteen days of alternate waxing and waning periods. Thus, the Khasi lunar calendar comprises thirteen months, totaling around ninety-one days for each season. Consequently, twenty-eight days multiplied by thirteen months equals three hundred sixty-four days, and ninety-one days in four seasons also amounts to three hundred sixty-four days in a year. Therefore, the folk custom of observing seasons in a year aligns closely with the Gregorian Calendar, influencing various aspects of human life and society.
THE INHERENT WISDOM OF ANCIENT KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS
The invaluable wealth of ancient knowledge systems gradually dissipates amidst societal pursuits for survival and tangible wealth accumulation. Astrology, often perceived as mystical, shares similarities with astrophysics—a testament to the profound understanding of celestial mechanics in ancient times.
Rural communities, deeply connected to nature in all aspects of social life, possess a common knowledge of the relationship between their activities and celestial energies. Simple observations guide their practices, such as refraining from cutting bamboo during moonshine periods to avoid termite infestation, as termites are active during these times. Such practices, deemed superstitions by modern civilization, reflect a deep understanding of natural phenomena passed down through generations.
Khasi folk architecture exemplifies this wisdom, positioning house entrances toward the sunrise for health, comfort, and convenience throughout the year. These practices, rooted in ancestral wisdom, continue to shape rural life, preserving a rich tapestry of knowledge connecting humanity with the rhythms of nature.
HARMONIZING WITH NATURE: ANCIENT WISDOM AND MODERN REALITIES
In rural communities, housing construction adheres to strategic principles rooted in ancient wisdom, positioning huts on hill slopes to mitigate risks of natural calamities. Hilltop and valley construction are avoided due to susceptibility to storms and floods respectively. Proximity between dwellings fosters interdependence, enhancing collective protection against both human and natural threats. Oral traditions further equip communities to counteract potential destruction, embodying a rich repository of ancestral knowledge. While modern societies may dismiss these practices, they serve as vital safeguards.
Authentication of ancient knowledge systems is imperative, discerning between genuine wisdom and misinformation. Despite communication gaps and misconceptions, validating such knowledge with sound arguments ensures its preservation and relevance in contemporary contexts.
