MUKAM, Mawpyllun (Krem)
25.250000,91.125000
Description
NOTE 1: In the lunar month of Phalgun (February - March), the Islamic festival "Eid-Milad-un-Nabi" (in short: id) on occasion of celebrating the birth of the Prophet Mohammed. It falls around 26th February (2010), 15th February (2011) and 4th February (2012). NOTE 2: u maw (Khasi, noun) a stone (SINGH, N 1906: 130) [ba] pyllun (Khasi; adjective), the same as: [ba] pyllon (SINGH, N 1906: 166), round (SINGH, N 1906: 166; SINGH, N 1920: 446; BLAH, E 2007: 258; OLDHAM, T 1854 / 1984 appendix C: lxiii); circular (SINGH, N 1920: 71). u kum (Khasi; noun) a pitcher (SINGH, N 1906: 51; BLAH, E 2007: 225); kum (Khasi; adverb) like, as, unintentionally (SINGH, N 1906: 51). NOTE 3: Marc GABORIEAU in: TROLL, Christian W. (1989, 1992, 2003): Islam in India: Studies and Commentaries.- (Pune: Vidyajyoti Institute of Religious Studies, Islamic Section) page xxix: Introduction.- NOTE 4: Auliya Baba Gufa (or: Auwla Baba Gufa; Ghinda Phir; Krem Mawkum; Krem Mukam; Pir Baba Cave) -- allegedly explored and "surveyed" but actually unmapped natural sacred cave (temple cave) in dislocated boulders. LOCATION: West Khasi Hills district: Langrin - Barsaura (Borsora) area: Jadukata (Kynchiang, Um Ranikor) valley: Ranikor / Lengur Bazar (Laour, Lour): Maqbara Nalikata (Mucampara Nolicata).POSITION: WGS84 (ignored precision error allegedly ±7 m) 25°12'43.0”N: 91°15'36.3”E: 54 m (Brooks S J undated 2001.02 GPS Garmin 12).MAPS: Survey of India sheet 78-O/08 grid square: 1 Langrin 03. AMS sheet NG46-09. India Road Atlas (Eicher Goodearth 2006: 45 G4). SPELEOMETRY: Length: Estimated 12 m (Jantschke, C et al. 2001.02.15). Vertical range: Estimated ±2 m (+2 m / –0 m).MANUSCRIPT REFERENCES: Brooks, Simon J 2001 MeghD2001.doc; Jantschke, Herbert & Jantschke, Christine 2001: Indien 15.02.01; Kharpran Daly, B D 1997 personal correspondence; Kharpran Daly, B D 2012.12.31 email SCAN 31122012.NOTE 5: »Nongkyllam« (Kharpran Daly 1997 Mss) is the village of Nongkhyllam (N25°14'40”: E091°08'30” WGS84), which lies 9 or 10 km along the road east of Kulang (also: Nongkulang, Kelang N25°14'55”: E091°04'05” WGS84 modified from Everest 1830, Survey of India Half-Inch series sheet 78-O/SW edition 1917). NOTE 6: Pormawdar (±350 m) 25°17'57”N: 91°01'05”E: 413 m (WGS84 modified from 25°17'55”N: 91°01'15”E: 1355 ft Everest 1830, Survey of India sheet 78-O/03 edition 1973). NOTE 7: Brooks, S J (2001 Mss: MEGHD2001.doc): »12 m of passage is surveyed« (sic! qua: an estimated 12 m long cave passage was gazed at).
An unspecified, locally known, and apparently sacred temple cave associated with a Muslim saint at one Mawpyllun (Round Rock) is said (Kharpran Daly 1997 Mss item 10) to attract pilgrims, clients and customers to a mela (annual pilgrimage festival and fair; a kirmis) held during February - March (note 1). ETYMOLOGY: The mixed Khasi-Bengali cave names (note 2) »Krem Mukam« (Kharpran Daly, B D 1997 Mss item 10; KHARPRAN DALY 2006 s.a.: 21) and »Krem Mawkum« (Kharpran Daly, B D 2012.12.31 Mss item 8) are suspected to derive from "makam" (Bengali), the originally Arabic noun "maqam" (literally: place, spot) for a »bare shaped« (architecturally unadorned) venerable tomb that serves as a "dargah" (literally: place of access) to a Muslim saint (pir) who attracts pilgrims to a "ziarat" or pilgrimage site (note 3). IDENTITY: »Krem Mukam« (Kharpran Daly, B D 1997 Mss item 10; KHARPRAN DALY 2006 s.a.: 21) or »Krem Mawkum« (Kharpran Daly, B D 2012.12.31 email "SCAN 31122012" scan 0002.tif item 8) is possibly identical with the locally popular cave known as the –>Auliya Baba (Auwla Baba Gufa) or »Ghinda Phir Cave« and »Pir Baba Cave« etc. (note 4). SITUATION 1997: Unknown. In an unspecified spatial relation »near« (Kharpran Daly, B D 1997 Mss item 10) a certain »Mawpyllun« somewhere in the vicinity of the village of »Nongkyllam« (note 5). SITUATION 2012: Unknown. At an unidentified location and in an unspecified setting in an area, which lies in an unidentified spatial relation (Kharpran Daly, B D 2012.12.31 Mss item 8) to the vicinity of Pormawdar (note 6).
History
EXPLORATION HISTORY: 1997.02.16-17: Brian D Kharpran Daly (1997 Mss item 10) had recorded the cave name »Krem Mukam.« 1998.02.16-17: »Nongkulang … During a recce on the 16th and 17th February 1998, members of the Meghalaya Adventurers' Association recorded the name of … Krem Mukam …« (KHARPRAN DALY (2006 s.a.: 19). 2001.02.15: Guided by Sudeb Ray Basumatary, photographed by Herbert Jantschke, and accompanied by Simon J. Brooks, Lindsay B. Diengdoh, Paul A Edmunds and Julie Hesketh up to a spot short of the cave entrance, it was Christine Jantschke alone who entered the rift cave and estimated a passage length of 12 m. Simon J. Brooks, however, desired to interpret Christine's quick glance as a "survey" (note 7).
Caves nearby
| Distance (km) | Name | Length (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | Ere Mawhar (Krem) | ||
| 0.0 | IAWRIMAI (Krem) | ||
| 0.0 | LANGIUMAW (Kharpran Daly 1997) (Krem) | ||
| 0.0 | MAWKSIAR, Wah Kynshi (Krem) | ||
| 0.0 | RANGBYRIONG (Krem) | ||
| 0.0 | WAH SHIBONG (Krem) | ||
| 0.8 | NONGUMBAR DEPRESSION | ||
| 2.4 | LANG JINGKEIÑ 1 (Krem) | ||
| 2.5 | LANG JINGKEIÑ 2 (Krem) |