SHILLONG:
The centenary celebrations of Madan Seng Khasi Marbisu, which had started on May 6, concluded on May 8 where thousands of dancers performed the traditional, annual Shad Suk Mynsiem dance.
Speaking to The Meghalayan, president of the Seng Khasi Marbisu, Rangshap Kurbah said that the organisation was established in 1920 but the 100-year dance is being celebrated only this year.
”Before, all residents belonging to the Khasi traditional religion used to take part in this dance and it was known as Shad Lynghui or Shad Lymmuh. But when the foreign beliefs came to our land, many left. When the elders saw this, in close coordination with the Seng Khasi Kmie, established the Seng Khasi Marbisu in 1920,” said Kurbah.
He further informed that, initially, establishing the Seng Khasi Marbisu couldn’t help their community as their numbers kept declining and only after the 1990s, the organisation saw a rise in the number of believers.
“From 2000 onwards, in almost every big function we had, we see people from other faiths returning back to Seng Khasi. Just recently four to five families came back to join us. At present, the Seng Khasi Marbisu is flourishing and comes second only to the Seng Khasi Kmie in terms of the number of believers.”
Speaking about the dance, Kurbah said that it is the 100-year celebration of the dance and devotees from across the Khasi-Jaintia Hills came to take part. “We do this dance to thank the Creator and for him to bless us with a fruitful harvest and good health throughout the year. This is the traditional Shad Suk Mynsiem where prayers and rituals are being carried out in the morning. This dance is different from the rest since it is a centenary celebration and contributions have poured in from all over; even from elders of different faiths.”
He said that the organisation now has two branches – Seng Khasi Marbisu and Seng Khasi Pdeng Shnong Marbisu. Yet another branch in Traw village is expected to be set up soon and altogether here are 600 household within the organisation, Kurbah informed.
“Going forward, we will keep enriching and preserving those villages where the numbers of devotees have decreased. Now, in this next century we will revive the small groups across our land,” said the president of the Seng Khasi Marbisu.