W. Lyonne Mawlong
Shillong, Mar 28: The Khasis are a tribe from the state of Meghalaya in north eastern India. It is a well known fact that the Khasi people have passed on many beliefs, folktales, folklores and as some may call them, “superstitions” throughout generations.
One of the most popular beliefs is about the month of April. In the Khasi language, April is called ‘Iaïong’ (‘erïong) which roughly translates to great winds and storms. It can also mean ‘bnai ïong’ (black month) because of the changing weather conditions on account of the wind and storms.
Dr. Barnes L. Mawrie, in his book, “The Khasis And Their Natural Environment”, stated that the skies were cloudy and dark at night with frequent thunderbolts which rig the night sky from time to time, even turning the tips of the pine trees into black.
Keeping this in mind and with a majority’s point of view, the month of April or ‘Iaïong’ is generally considered unfavourable for the Khasi people because of the climatic conditions. Many strongly believe that marriages, cultivation and shifting to a new house are not at all ideal and bring people bad luck.
An elderly member of the Seng Khasi said, “it is believed that besides marriages and cultivation, even construction of houses is considered unlucky. Although there are no such written records, there have been indicents which affected one’s health or family if done so”.
Another anonymous source said that, “April is a month of heavy winds and storms and destroys any kind of crops that are being grown. Also, many do not prefer to go out in such bad weather conditions”.
In light of all this, it cannot be completely ruled out that these beliefs do not have any other basis or factual reasoning behind them. Most of what the Khasi people believe in are stories passed on from one generation to another.
