Khasi Concept of Religion

by:  Late Dr. R.S.  Lyngdoh

Like all communities of the human race, the Khasis, however small they are as a race, believe that they constitute a distinct race of mankind.  They strongly believe that they are the chosen people of God.  They believe that at the beginning, they were the children of God in heaven as members of the Khadhynriew Trep Khadhynriew Skum - the sixteen huts the Sixteen roots.  On close study of the legends and mythologies, it is discovered that from time to time, the Khasi race has not failed to produce holy sages, prophets, great seers  and wise men who have been able to give definite shape to Khasi Religion called "Ka Niam Khasi".  But, it is unfortunate that the names of most of them have been forgotten due to the absence of written literature and written recorded history.  From time immemorial, through the ageless unrecorded history, the Khasis have developed a definite idea about God and Man;  about the existence of heaven, earth and hell; about the existence of the body and the soul; about the subjective and objective values; about sin and eternal truth; about the existence of evil spirits; and about the relationship between man and man, man and all values and man and God.  They have their own belief in the beginning and the end of all things and their belief in the beginning of creation.

The Khasis believe in one God called "U Blei" who can manifest Himself in all forms and values.  Mr David Roy, in his celebrated article entitled "Khasi Religion" gives the following description of God Almighty:  U Blei Nongthaw Nongbuh - God Creator of our bodies and the creation (Nongthaw), and God who fills up and fills the universe with life.

U Blei Trai Kynrad - The Lord God and Master.

U Blei Shihajar Nguh - Got to whom all obeisance is due

U Blei na jrong na tbian - God who fills the heavens and the earth (the universe), God who is immanent and transcendent.

U Blei U Nongsei - God who causes to be and to grow.

U Blei Uba iohi Uba tip - God who sees and who knows - to whom nothing is hidden or unknown.

Let me quote some of the stances in which these attributes appear.  We find in the birth ceremony the implorer expresses: "Oh God the Creator and God the Instiller of Life."  The other attribute are used in the different ceremonies adapting to the occasions and ceremonies performed, but all these attributes appear in the prayer of thanks giving offering to God: "Hear Oh God Lord and Master of the heavens and the earth (the universe), the Creator and the Instiller, the Appointer, who causesth to grow who causes to be, as I have become mankind, grown and increased in mankind."  Again "Give ear, oh god Lord and Master of above and below, thou planteth, thou who causeth to grow as I have been made human, have received health through the mercies, Oh! God, Lord and Master."