KITLANG, Laitkynsew (Krem)
25.219400,91.654200
Description
A soil-choked gap between sandstone boulders, as soon as dug open, gave access to a descent 3 m down into a solitary cave chamber (about 3 m by 5 m wide, on average 1.5 m high) formed by a partly soil-filled space between dislocated sandstone boulders. A slight odour of bat guano (or another animal's excretions) was interpreted as indicating not only the occasional presence of small mammals but also as a sign indicating the absence of significant air currents. The solitary cave chamber's floor was found littered with a few traces of cultural remains which constituted a stray assemblage of pottery shards, fragments of broken glass characterized by patinated surfaces, and rotting remnants of basket ware. Little doubt remains that this assemblage, apparently of recent age, must have been washed in. ETYMOLOGY: No autochthonous, indigenous or locally known name has been identified for what Denis P. Rayen christened "Krem Kitlang" or »Carry Responsibility Together Cave« (note 1) in honour of Kitlang, then a young boy, who dared to remove on 29th November 1998 the stone obstructing the entrance to the previously inaccessible cave below. SITUATION: At the side of the schoolhouse at the village of Laitkynsew (note 2). CAVE POTENTIAL: Kitlang's cave is said to be aligned with –>Laitkynsew Resort Sink and another closed depression about halfway between. The initial impulse to open and enter the latter, intermediate sink, was modified upon discovering (November 1998) that it had been used as a toilet.
NOTE 1: The Khasi "kit" (verb, transitive) has been translated as »to carry; to bear; to be responsible for« (SINGH, N 1906: 41), »to bear; to carry; to convey« (SINGH, N 1920: 39, 61, 93), »to carry« (OLDHAM, T 1854 / 1984 appendix C: lxiv). The Khasi "lang" (adverb) means »together; in concert« (SINGH, N 1906: 108). NOTE 2: Laitkynsew near (±250 m) 25°13'00”N: 91°39'25”E (WGS84 modified from 25°13'00”N: 91°39'35”E Everest 1830, Survey of India 78-O/16 edition 1912) at elevations below 896 m asl (modified from 2940 feet, Survey of India 78-O/SE edition 1917). Also: Laikenso OLDHAM, T (1854 / 1984: 40); OLDHAM, T (1859: 158) Laitkinsaw anonymous Arbenz, T et al. (2013.08.07 Mss ”Meghalaya expedition 2012 diary, Kopili team” Diary.doc 24th February) Leykanchoo F. (1829: 254) Likenso MEDLICOTT, H B (1865: 418) Lykunchau X. Y. Z. (1829: 276).
Documents
Bibliography 30/03/2016- EXPLORATION HISTORY: 1998.11.29: Denis P. Rayen had arranged that Ba Holan, the Laitkynsew school warden, lowered Kitlang, then a young and small schoolboy, to remove the loose stones obstructing the vertical gap. Kitlang succeeded, was admired by everybody present, and became a widely accepted hero. Only then I was able to slip down into the opened gap and, as soon as having accustomed my eyes to the darkness, to look around and to notice some aspects of what was the matter.
Caves nearby
| Distance (km) | Name | Length (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.4 | LAITKYNSEW HALFWAY SINK | ||
| 0.7 | WAH RIT (Krem) | ||
| 0.7 | THEP MAWBAH (Krem) | ||
| 0.7 | BRED BSEIÑ (Krem) | ||
| 0.7 | JAPUNG (Krem) | ||
| 0.8 | SYNRANG, Laitkynsew (Krem) | ||
| 0.9 | LAITKYNSEW RESORT SINK | ||
| 1.3 | RIAT KROH, Maw Siang | ||
| 1.4 | UMBLAI 2 (Krem) |