SHILLONG, Nov 23: The 123rd Seng Kut Snem was celebrated with pomp at Weiking Ground, Jaiaw, on Wednesday with hundreds of Seng Khasi faithful thronging the venue to join the celebrations, while uneasiness loomed in Shillong city, which bore a morose look after the violence which erupted at Mukroh village, West Jaintia Hills.
This year’s Seng Kut Snem celebration was grand as there were no restrictions on one of the highlights of the festival — the procession.
For the past two years, the celebrations had become a low-key affair due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The annual procession witnessed participation of a large number of people as they made their way to the venue by singing and dancing.
At the venue, traditional music filled the evening air as performers took centre stage and enthralled the audience.
Minister of Indigenous Affairs, Arunachal Pradesh, Taba Tedir, and president of Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh, Katung Wahge, also attended this year’s celebration.
The annual Seng Kut Snem festival is celebrated to commemorate the Seng Khasi Movement to preserve, protect and uphold the indigenous Khasi culture.
On this day in 1899, 16 young Khasi youths formed the Seng Khasi, an organisation which would protect their indigenous culture and unique language in the face of British onslaught.
The day marks the beginning of a movement — an awakening of the Khasi community to preserve the existing and unique traditions — and every year, the Seng Khasi commemorates November 23 as Seng Kut Snem.