MAHABON, Lakadong (Krang)
25.183300,92.266700
Description
An elusive cave, which might be the same as the likewise elusive –>Lakadong Cave (Ringwood 1876), has not yet been identified in spite of several speleological excursions to the area. ETYMOLOGY: Unknown. The origin, history and meaning of the Synteng Khasi (Pnar) cave name Krem Mahabon (Kharpran Daly B D 1995.12.02) has not yet been identified. On philological grounds, it is suspected that Ma U Bun is a honorific address for an ambivalent "maternal uncle" or tutelary deity, who features not only the ability to provide abundance (wealth) but also to cause fear (note 1). So far, this cave (or an other) has been refered to as Krang Mahabon Kharpran Daly, B D (1995.12.02 personal communication with the then Lakadong Sardar, Umlatdoh). Mahubon Cave LALOO, S S (1995a: 4, 1995b: 4). Krem Muhabon Phraryngjang Arbenz, T (2014.04.29 undated Mss: Cave record overwiev 2_ 2014.xlsx). Krem Muhabon Phraryngjong Anonymous (2014.05.05 Expedition Survey Log 2014 (8-3-2014).xls). Krem Muhubon Anonymous 2014.05.05 in: anonymous Brooks, S J et al. 2014.04.05 Mss: Diary Meghalaya 2014 Second Edit: 22th February, Saturday).SITUATION: Unknown. Probably on the Umlatdo (Umlatodo) plateau and somewhere in the Mahabon (Mahubon, Mohubon) forest that covers the »low ridge of Limestone covered with thick jungle« (LATOUCHE, T H D 1890: plate XXIII) and forms »the rising ground in the centre of the table-land« (OLDHAM, T 1859: 149). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1995a: »Krang Mahabon is very big« (Kharpran Daly, Brian D 1995.12.02 personal communication with the then Lakadong Sardar, Umlatdoh). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1995b: »The Mahubon Cave is found at Lakadong village and it is a very big and beautiful cave. Inside the cave are various graving of nature [sic! qua: natural engravings] on lime stone in the form of pots, spoons, tables, chairs and so on and so forth« (LALOO, S S 1995a: 4). CAVE DESCRIPTION 1995c: »The Mahubon Cave is found at Lakadong village and it is a very big and beautiful cave. Inside the cave are various in graving of nature [note 2] on lime stone in the form of pots, spoons, tables, chairs and so on and so forth« (LALOO, S S 1995a: 4).
NOTE 1: ba ma (Khasi; adjective), spelled: ba má (SINGH, N 1906: 126), dangerous, frightful (SINGH, N 1906: 126); dangerous, hazardous, impending, malignant, precarious (SINGH, N 1920: 107, 215, 235, 305, 393); black, parlous, serious (BLAH, E 2007: 31, 215, 465).i má (Khasi; noun; honorific appellation) a maternal uncle, »used in case of address« (SINGH, N 1906: 126). ka 'ma (Khasi; noun), an abbreviation of: ka thma (SINGH, N 1906: 126), ka thyma (SINGH, N 1920: 277) a battle, a campaign (SINGH, N 1906: 126).u (Khasi; article / pronominal prefix) denotes the singular masculine gender: a, an, the (SINGH, N 1906: 242; SINGH, N 1920: 18; GURDON, P R T 1906: 207) and "u" (Khasi; masculin personal pronoun, singular) he, it (SINGH, N 1906: 242). bun (Khasi; adjective and adverb) many, much (SINGH, N 1906: 17); considerable, copious, countless, diffuse, diverse, immense, manifold, many, numerous, plenty (SINGH, N 1920: 89, 94, 98, 122, 134, 233, 306, 307, 344, 384); divers, enormous, numerous, rife, several, sundry (BLAH, E 2007: 83, 92, 202, 443, 269, 295). NOTE 2: The »various graving of nature« (LALOO, S S 1995a: 4) or »various in graving of nature« (LALOO, S S 1995a: 4) are meant to say "natural engravings" (the process of cutting or carving a design on a hard surface) and refer to secondary calcite formations (speleothems).
History
EXPLORATION HISTORY: to be completed 1995.12.02: An unidentified Lakadong Sardar (no name recorded) at Umlatdoh told the cave name »Krang Mahabon« and said that it is »very big« (Kharpran Daly, B D 1995.12.02 personal communication). 2014.02.22: Spellmoon Shilliangam from Ummat, then the Lakadong »Headman« (Sardar), told Brian D. Kharpran Daly and Thomas Arbenz the names of twelve caves, viz. »Krem Labiat, Krem Muhubon, Krem Busti, Krem Ksow Lamet, Krem Shriah, Krem Rynjong Wamon, Krem Amtyrsey, Krem Mummum, Krem Amshwet, Krem Phlang Labiat, Krem Kyrdengshen, [and] Krem Um Krung« (anonymous in: anonymous Brooks, S J et al. 2014.04.05 Mss: Diary Meghalaya 2014 Second Edit: 22th February, Saturday).
Caves nearby
| Distance (km) | Name | Length (m) | Depth (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | LAKADONG [00] (Ringwood 1876) (Cave at) | ||
| 0.0 | MANIK SATI (Synrang) | ||
| 0.0 | KSOW LAMET (Krang) | ||
| 0.0 | SHRIAH (Krang) | ||
| 0.0 | AMTYRSEY (Krang) | ||
| 0.0 | AMSHWET (Krang) | ||
| 0.0 | PHLANG LABIAT (Krang) | ||
| 0.0 | KYRDENGSHEN (Krang) | ||
| 0.6 | UMAT SWALLOW HOLE 1 (aa -) |