KUTUMBAKAM IN KHASI FOLK NARRATIVES: A KHASI ECOSOPHY

Abstract The Khasis are one of the three main tribes in Meghalaya. They follow matrilineal system. Owing to their oral tradition they never had their own script until the year 1841 when Thomas Jones, the Welsh Missionary, arrived. He introduced them the Roman script. Therefore, many of the folk narratives have been documented only after writing was introduced. The first folk narrative that was documented by U Rabon Singh however, is only as old as one hundred and fifteen years. Khasi Folk narratives comprise of myths, legends and folktales. They encapsulate the culture of the community. They are reservoir from which are drawn their worldview, philosophy and identity. Owing its origin to a matrilineal tribe, these narratives reflect the sense of inclusivity. The attitude of care and concern is shown towards non-humans also. This paper presents the following argument: The Khasis worldview is similar to the Sanskrit term ‘Kutumbakam’ which means ‘the world is one family’; interconnectedness of every being is significant for the Khasis to reach their self-realization; the sense of seeing the inherent worth of every being is due to the tenet ‘Ka Tip-Briew Ka Tip-Blei’ or ‘To know man-to know god’. Although, the current scenario, in the name of development, human chauvinism and speciesism have crept in, yet the narratives can act as a power house that preserves the cohesion between humans and non-humans. Key word: Khasi, Ecosophy, Hynniew Trep, Kutumbakam, Weretigers, U Blei.