Shillong, Sep 28: The Synjuk Ki Rangbah Kur Ka Bri U Hynñiewtrep (Confederation of Clan Elders of the Land of the Hynñiewtrep) held its third general meeting on Saturday.
The organisation was founded in January 2019 to preserve and uphold the clan lineage system (kheiñ kur kheiñ kha) traced through the mother.
Matrilineality has come under pressure in Khasi-Jaintia society with exposure to outside influences, especially from the Western world, where patrilineality is the norm, and from the evolution of tribal society.
The Synjuk was pleased that matrilineality gained official support through the KHADC’s Khasi Social Custom of Clan Lineage Amendment Act 2023 but “difficulties continued to mount”, leading the organisation to convene a third general dorbar.
Strongpillar Kharjana, Chairman of the KHADC, emphasised that the role of the maternal uncle (kñi) is essential in strengthening the clan by guiding and nurturing the younger generation, bearing responsibility, and being a role model for the coming lineage.
In the second session, clan elders and the general public offered their views and suggestions on ways to preserve and safeguard the indigenous customs against any attempts that may distort or contaminate the traditional practices.
New executive members for 2025-28 were also elected to take the Synjuk forwards. RL Kharpran was confirmed as president, Raphael Warjri as general secretary, Aristotle Lyngdoh, Ploster Syiem and D Donstan Khonglah as vice-presidents, Erland Sun as treasurer and Rapionglang Blah as spokesperson. Sixteen other elders form the executive body.
