SYNRANG LANGKSHAIH (Krem)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

An unspecified -Swallow Cave- once has been said to exist somewhere close to Umkyrpong village (Boycott 2008.02.17 Mss: Synrang Langkshaih) but never has been identified. ETYMOLOGY: Synrang Langkshaih is said to mean Swallow Cave (note 1). The standard Khasi and Synteng (Khasi) noun -ka synrang- means not only the coping of a rock or cave (SINGH, N 1906: 216; 1920: 63) in the sense of an inhabitable rock shelter, but also signifies a nest (BLAH, E 2007: 198) in the sense of an animal's home. SINGH, N (1906: 108) lists no Khasi word reminiscent of -langkshaih- or -lyngkshaih- and the only birds starting with -lang…- or -lyng…- are the dove, namely -ka lyngdykhur- or -ka lyngdkhur- (SINGH, N 1906: 122), and a species of parrot, -ka lynglit- or -ka langlit- (SINGH, N 1906: 123). SITUATION: Boycott (2008.02.17 Mss: Synrang Langkshaih ¬ Swallow Cave) was told this cave lies at an unspecified location somewhere close to Umkyrpong village (25°26'04”N: 92°34'47”E: 782 m). Brooks, Simon (anonymous amendment to Boycott 2008.02.17 Mss: Synrang Langkhsait, Swallow Cave) places this item in a co-called Samassi Area (note 2). (anonymous amendment to Boycott 2008.02.17 Mss: Synrang Langkhsait, Swallow Cave) places this item in a co-called Samassi Area (note 2).