Religious beliefs and customs
Khasis are basically animists or spirit worshippers. And they call
on both benevolent and evil spirits according to need. Lyngdohs or
priests usually carry out the invocations, indulging in a kind of
Shamanism. Some elders who are versed necromancy also conduct
proceedings. The is no idol or image worship among the khasis.
Reverence and adoration for ancestors is integral to Khasi culture.
A range of foods are offered to the spirits, many times in a year.
Known as the as bamor ' giving of food' to ancestral spirits is the
way to ensure security and long term prosperity of the family and
the clan.
OF all deceased ancestors the Khasis revere Ka lawbei the most, the
primeval ancestress of the clan, the 'tribal mother'.
Among the numerous hills worshipped in the Khasi land, one of the
most popular hill godlings is u'lei Shillong, residing in Shillong
Peak, from which Shillong the capital city of Meghalaya derives its
name. Rableng Hill within eye-view of Shillong Peak is also a much
worshipped hill-god. Apparently no special ritual is performed to U
Kyllang (the Kyllang Rock) now -a-days. The beautiful Symper Hill is
considered to be the abode of U Symper.
Taboos of Khasi Society
Kaba shong sang or marrying within the kur or clan is the most
important taboo of all,and is the most serious offense a Khasi can
commit. It cannot be absolved and the bones and ashes of the
offender do not find place in the family tomb. Some of the other
taboos include - not to build house with stone walls on four sides;
not to use nails in home building, not to use more than one kind of
timber to build the heart, not to cut trees from the forest, not to
take or give anything with the left hand, no to drink the milk of
cow or goat.But like the old customs fading from Khasi society,
these taboos are also fast disappearing.