Shillong, Apr 7: Shad Suk Mynsiem (Dance of the Joyful Souls), a traditional thanksgiving dance festival of the indigenous Khasi community, was celebrated with fervour at Weiking Ground, Jaiaw in the city.
Lots of tourists among thousands of spectators witnessed the colourful festival held at Weiking Ground for the past over 100 years.
Shad Suk Mynsiem, also known as ‘Spring Festival’, is organised annually by the Seng Khasi Seng Kmie. The three-day festival concluded on Monday.
Hundreds of ‘Niam Khasi’ faithful took part in the dance festival accompanied by the beats of the drums and tangmuri to give thanks to God for all the blessings that he has bestowed.
Highlighting the importance of the festival, an elder of the Seng Khasi said, “Shad Suk Mynsiem is a thanksgiving dance festival of the indigenous people to the Almighty for bountiful harvest, health, wealth and peace.”
He said the dance was a tradition since its inception but it was only in 1911, the Seng Khasi decided to display it in an organised manner at Weiking Ground.
He also informed that over 1,517 dancers took part in the Shad Suk Mynsiem this time.
The festival was also witnessed by chief minister Conrad K Sangma, deputy chief minister Prestone Tynsong, cabinet ministers, Shillong MP Ricky AJ Syngkon and other dignitaries.
During the dance, there was a display of lavish gold and silver jewellery forming part of the attire of the dancers.
The most important of the women’s wears is the silver crown that adorns the heads of the virgin damsels.
The crown and the ‘lasubon’ follower protruding from the nape of the neck, speak of the characteristic qualities that the women should cultivate, in their day-to-day life, in the upbringing of the children in the home and family.
The jewellery piece of the male dancer is the silver quiver having three arrows.
The arrows symbolise lifelong company of a man, from birth till death. In the naming ceremony, three arrows form part of the rituals after the birth of a baby boy.
The first arrow is designated to guard oneself, the second arrow is for guarding the honour of one’s family and clan and the third arrow is for the territorial protection of the first ancestral mother of the clan.
It is in the Shad Suk Mynsiem that the beat of drums, cymbals, the melodious tunes of the piped instrument-the Tangmuri, has in them a systematic discipline of rhythm, which is pulsating.
The pattern of dancing responds to the change of beats and rhythm of the music, a music that has been kept alive from the deep recesses of tradition.
The festival is also a message that life should be meaningful, eventful and purposeful.
