UMTALEN (Krem)
25.125000,92.475000
Description
A reputedly »huge cave« called »Krem Umtalen« (Spindro Dkhar 1995, 1996, personal communication). ETYMOLOGY: The origin, history and meaning of the Synteng Khasi (Pnar) cave name has not yet been identified but »Krem Umtalen« (or so) is possibly not a specific cave name but cave called after its location on an "um" or stream of water specified by "talen" (note 1). SITUATION 1995: Spindro Dkhar from Lumshnong (1995, 1996 personal communication) was understood to place the entrance of »Krem Umtalen« above the banks of the Lukha or Lubha River and somewhere near the village of Khaddum (25°09'15”N: 92°26'47”E). SITUATION 1999: An unidentified villager (no name recorded) from Khaddum told Christian W. Fischer in February 1999, that Krem Umtalen actually does not lie »near« the village of Khaddum but much closer to the bridge (25°06'40”N: 92°21'45”E) across the Lubha near Sonapur.
NOTE 1: ba talen (Khasi; adjective) bald, destitute of hair (SINGH, N 1906: 219). ka talen (Khasi / English loan word; noun) a talent (SINGH, N 1906: 219). taláin (Khasi; verb) to whirl, to wield (SINGH, N 1906: 219); brandish, swing (SINGH, N 1920: 52, 514). talon (Khasi; verb) to belabour, to maul (SINGH, N 1906: 219).
Caves nearby
| Distance (km) | Name | Length (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3 | KHADDUM (Umpohliew hajan) | ||
| 4.4 | THLEA PHOK POUK | ||
| 4.7 | AA CAVE, Khaddum (1999c) | ||
| 4.7 | MOOÏAR (Krem) | ||
| 4.7 | PALTAN POUK | ||
| 4.8 | MAHABON, Lukha (Krem) | ||
| 4.8 | SKEI, Lukha (Krem) | ||
| 5.2 | LAILUK POUK | ||
| 5.2 | LAILUK POUK, 2nd |