RANG KATHEI (Krem U)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

A speleologically unexplored but locally known cave is said (Brian D. Kharpran Daly 2007.03.01 personal communication) to be the former abode of a legendary and formerly evil devil, who was able to take the form of a kite (or eagle) and had been blamed to have caused plague but eventually was slain by a youthful local hero. ETYMOLOGY: Brian D. Kharpran Daly (2007.03.01 personal communication) interpreted the Khasi cave name ”Krem U Rang Kathei- as -Krem U Rang Ka 'Thei- (a short form of Krem U Rang ka Kynthei) meaning Maiden Suitor Cave or Man Woman Cave as -u 'rang- is a short form of -u shynrang- and means not only a male but also a pipe (SINGH, N 1906: 169, 201) while -ka 'thei- is a short form of -ka kynthei- and is a female (SINGH, N 1906: 58, 225). On the other hand, the Khasi conjunction -khat-ei- is the same as -khad-ei- and is used as a kind of digressive expression corresponding to but; I see (SINGH, N 1906: 25, 28). GURDON (1914, ch. VII) explains that, with the Khasilanguage, the demonstrative pronoun is formed by the addition of the particles denoting the position of things with reference to the speaker, e.g. … katai-tai, katei-tei, kathie-thie point to an object at a great distance but within sight (note 1). SITUATION: Approximately north-east of Sohra (Cherrapunjee) and in an unspecified location somewhere in the the near-vertical forest of Lawkhlieng (compare: Krem –>Lawkhlieng), which covers the steep western (east-facing) cliff of Lum Synna (note 2), the residual hill on the Cherrapunjee plateau high above the western (orographically right) bank of the river Umstew (Um Stew, Um Stu). CULTURAL HISTORY - Cave legend (Kharpran Daly, undated 2007 Mss): In the days of old, when the Khasis were in constant and in direct contact with God through sacrifices and rites, there was a devil who lived in a cave. This cave is situated in a steep cliff on the eastern side of Lawkhlieng (Forest of the Kite). Every day at dawn this evil spirit would transfor itself into a kite [note 3], flying high above the clouds and returning to the cave before dark. It is believed that when this kite flies near the vicinity of Khadar Shnong [note 4], a cluster of twelve very small villages, which lies to the east and on the other side of the deep gorge from Cherrapunjee, it brings with it the plague, which would cause untold misery and suffering to the villagers. The people of Khadar Shnong became very apprehensive and would always dread the sight of this winged evil. In order to rid themselves of this evil monster they performed certain religious rites to seek advice and divine intervention from God. Armed with full power and authority from God, they fashioned -U Nam ding- [note 5], which is a strong barbed arrow, which is enflamed when used. At that juncture, a youth named U Rang Kathei [note 6] from the village of Khadar Shnong [note 7], appeared and offered to take up the challenge of killing the dreaded demon. U Rang Ka Thei took his position frm the village of Mawlyndiar [note 8] and when the evil kite appeared, he shot it with the flaming arrow with all the force his youthful body could muster. The arrow hit its target with such great force that [deleted: it got deflected into the cave] it pierced right through the heart and body of the kite. The flaming arrow with enough energy left, flew right into the cave. The cave got its name after the name of the archer. Because of the flaming arrow the rocks and the walls of the cave appear to have been burnt and the soil on the floor black. Today, when one touches the cave walls or rocks, it crumbles into flakes. itself into a kite [note 3], flying high above the clouds and returning to the cave before dark. It is believed that when this kite flies near the vicinity of Khadar Shnong [note 4], a cluster of twelve very small villages, which lies to the east and on the other side of the deep gorge from Cherrapunjee, it brings with it the plague, which would cause untold misery and suffering to the villagers. The people of Khadar Shnong became very apprehensive and would always dread the sight of this winged evil. In order to rid themselves of this evil monster they performed certain religious rites to seek advice and divine intervention from God. Armed with full power and authority from God, they fashioned -U Nam ding- [note 5], which is a strong barbed arrow, which is enflamed when used. At that juncture, a youth named U Rang Kathei [note 6] from the village of Khadar Shnong [note 7], appeared and offered to take up the challenge of killing the dreaded demon. U Rang Ka Thei took his position fr itself into a kite [note 3], flying high above the clouds and returning to the cave before dark. It is believed that when this kite flies near the vicinity of Khadar Shnong [note 4], a cluster of twelve very small villages, which lies to the east and on the other side of the deep gorge from Cherrapunjee, it brings with it the plague, which would cause untold misery and suffering to the villagers. The people of Khadar Shnong became very apprehensive and would always dread the sight of this winged evil. In order to rid themselves of this evil monster they performed certain religious rites to seek advice and divine intervention from God. Armed with full power and authority from God, they fashioned -U Nam ding- [note 5], which is a strong barbed arrow, which is enflamed when used. At that juncture, a youth named U Rang Kathei [note 6] from the village of Khadar Shnong [note 7], appeared and offered to take up the challenge of killing the dreaded demon. U Rang Ka Thei took his position fr itself into a kite [note 3], flying high above the clouds and returning to the cave before dark. It is believed that when this kite flies near the vicinity of Khadar Shnong [note 4], a cluster of twelve very small villages, which lies to the east and on the other side of the deep gorge from Cherrapunjee, it brings with it the plague, which would cause untold misery and suffering to the villagers. The people of Khadar Shnong became very apprehensive and would always dread the sight of this winged evil. In order to rid themselves of this evil monster they performed certain religious rites to seek advice and divine intervention from God. Armed with full power and authority from God, they fashioned -U Nam ding- [note 5], which is a strong barbed arrow, which is enflamed when used. At that juncture, a youth named U Rang Kathei [note 6] from the village of Khadar Shnong [note 7], appeared and offered to take up the challenge of killing the dreaded demon. U Rang Ka Thei took his position frm the village of Mawlyndiar [note 8] and when the evil kite appeared, he shot it with the flaming arrow with all the force his youthful body could muster. The arrow hit its target with such great force that [deleted: it got deflected into the cave] it pierced right through the heart and body of the kite. The flaming arrow with enough energy left, flew right into the cave. The cave got its name after the name of the archer. Because of the flaming arrow the rocks and the walls of the cave appear to have been burnt and the soil on the floor black. Today, when one touches the cave walls or rocks, it crumbles into flakes.