UMIAM: The annual obeisance at U Lum Sohpetbneng was paid on Sunday by thousands of Khasi faithful with traditional rituals and rites, dances and songs.
The faithful ascended the 1,344-metre high peak, referred to as ‘navel of heaven’, to offer their obeisance to God.
The Khasis believed that heaven and earth is connected by a navel and the two are even linked with a metaphorical umbilical cord, a golden ladder symbolized by a tree atop the Sohpetbneng peak where they believe the navel lies.
The people who adhere to the indigenous faith undertake this annual pilgrimage every year on the first Sunday of February in what they call the ‘Kiew eh-rngiew’ which means the ascent for good luck and good fortune in the coming days of the year.
This navel of heaven is situated by the scenic Umiam Lake.
Popular legend goes that the Khasi race descended from Ki Hynniewtrep – Ki Khyndai Skum (seven huts on earth and nine huts in heaven), which are connected by a golden ladder (tree) on Sohpetbneng Peak.
This golden ladder was severed when sin crept into earth. Nine families remained in the celestial abode while the seven settled on earth and multiplied.
The Khasi sub-tribes- Khynriam, Pnar, Bhoi, War, Maram, Lyngngam of Meghalaya, are collectively known as Ki Hynniewtrep, which literally means Seven Huts, referring to the seven families, the first settlers on earth, according to the legend.
As part of the annual pilgrimage, traditional rituals and rites, dances and songs were also performed atop the peak besides the Seng Khasi elders distributing rice and water for good luck. (PTI)
