At Lum Sohpetbneng, the sacred hill known in Khasi belief as the “navel of heaven” — the meeting point between the mortal world and the divine — the air on Sunday was alive with the sound of drums, gongs, and prayers. Beneath a clear blue sky, thousands gathered as the Seng Khasi Kmie (SKM) commemorated 125 years of its founding with the erection of forty monoliths, or Mawbynna Sahnam, each stone a solemn tribute to the ancestors and a symbol of unity among the Khasi people.
The ceremony, rich in ritual and reverence, brought together more than forty circles of the Seng Khasi and Sein Raij. As the sun illuminated the standing stones, they seemed to pulse with history — embodying the collective spirit of a community that has safeguarded its traditions through generations.
Governor C. H. Vijayashankar, who attended the event along with Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong, Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, and Arts and Culture Minister Sanbor Shullai, praised the Seng Khasi movement as one of India’s most enduring indigenous faith initiatives. “These stones are not merely monuments,” he said. “They are living memories — symbols of continuity, faith, and identity that remind us of our deep connection to the land and to one another.”
He also reflected on the Khasi worldview, describing it as a model of harmony between humanity and nature. “For the Khasi people, forests, rivers, and the earth are not commodities but blessings from the Creator,” he said. “Their way of life teaches us that progress need not come at the cost of spiritual and ecological balance.” The Governor added that the community’s reverence for nature and its enduring cultural strength align closely with India’s vision of development rooted in its civilisational values.
Cultural Secretary of the Seng Khasi Kmie, Hammarsing L. Kharhmar, spoke of the deeper meaning behind the ceremony. “Monoliths and megaliths have always been more than stone,” he said. “They are bridges between generations — between the living and the ancestors. By raising these monoliths at Lum Sohpetbneng, we are not only commemorating our past but renewing our covenant with our faith and our land.” He described the event as a message of inspiration to all indigenous communities to embrace and protect their cultural roots.
Tracing the organisation’s journey, Kharhmar recalled how sixteen young men founded the Seng Khasi movement in 1899 to preserve the Khasi faith and protect its customs during a period of rapid change. From those modest beginnings, it has grown into a movement with more than 300 branches across Meghalaya. “The Seng Khasi stands today as perhaps one of the oldest indigenous faith organisations in India, and possibly in the world,” he said, calling its longevity a testament to the moral and spiritual resilience of the Khasi people.
Traditional leaders — including Puramon Kynjing, Dalloi of Jowai; Moon Garod, Doloi of Nangbah; and Ainam Manik Syiem, Syiem of Hima Mylliem — attended the event alongside representatives from several indigenous faith organisations. Their presence lent gravity and significance to the ceremony, transforming Lum Sohpetbneng into a living altar of unity, faith, and remembrance.
As the rhythmic chanting of prayers filled the air and the monoliths stood tall against the fading light, the moment felt profoundly spiritual — an affirmation of continuity between the past and the present. The Governor commended the community for its enduring commitment to cultural preservation, expressing hope that the 125th anniversary would inspire future generations to take pride in their identity while embracing progress in harmony with their heritage.
The year-long celebrations of the Seng Khasi Kmie will culminate on November 23 with the 126th Seng Kut Snem at Weiking Ground, Jaiaw, Shillong — an event expected to draw thousands to honour a movement that has kept the ancestral flame of faith alive for over a century.
