KUJANG (Krem)

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 31/05/2016

A single, well decorated cave passage leads to a sump about 130 m from the cave entrance. The large passage breaks the surface at one point and the dense jungle can be seen. This cave entrance was not exited but it is certain that it is on top of the spur. A rope would be needed if using this entrance. ETYMOLOGY: SINGH, N (1906) lists no Khasi term "kujang" (or so) but Arbenz, T (2007.11.24 personal correspondence) tells me to have decided that ”Krem Kujang" is the proper name of the cave recorded earlier as Synrang Khung, Nongkhlieh (Meghalaya '99 Caving Expedition 1999: 15), Krem Shrieh, Nongkhlieh, and as Lum Korsing Monkey Cave (Kharpran Daly, Brian D 2006 s.a.: 46). SITUATION: The cave entrance to this Krem Shrieh / Monkey Cave lies at the base of Lum Korsing, a spur of the Nongkhlieh Ridge, and is accessible on foot from the non-metalled (spring 1999) road connecting the villages of Shnongrim and Nongkhlieh. Having crossed the bridge across the river Letein (Litang, Litien) beyond the teahouse at the foot of Lum Bloh, the road starts heading uphill as it contours around a spur. An obvious footpath heads onto the spur and is followed until it starts heading back downhill on the other side. As you almost regain the valley floor turn left, still on the 'obvious' path, until a rock outcrop is seen which marks the cave entrance. CAVE DESCRIPTION: »A fairly short but spectacular cave. Some of the chambers in the cave turned out to be almost 15 m high in places, sporting some impressive stalagmites and stalactites [speleothems]. The cave ended in a rather wet crawl, which led to yet another mud and boulder choke« (DAWSON, H B 1999: 15).