Khasi people now will hold ‘Seng Kut Snem’

festival over financial hardships, the indigenous Khasi community in the greater Sylhet region yesterday said they will be celebrating their New Year celebration as usual, thanks to the government's promise of full support.

Philah Pohthmi, general secretary of the Khasi Social Council, said "Seng Kut Snem", a festival to welcome the New Year as per their calendar, will be held on November 23 with day-long festivities like the previous years.

Photo: Star

Now the event will be organised in collaboration with the Chief Adviser's Office, he said, adding the news reports, including that of The Daily Star, on the decision to cancel the event drew the attention of the government high-ups.

"After the news was published in The Daily Star and different other media outlets, the matter came to the attention of the government. The Chief Adviser's Office contacted us and assured full cooperation in celebrating the festival," he added.

On November 19, The Daily Star ran a report titled "Financial hardship forces Khasis to scrap key festival".

Photo: Star

The report, quoting a Khasi community leader, said the people of the community couldn't raise enough funds to organise the programme due to economic challenges.

The programme typically costs around Tk 2 lakh to organise. Instead of the usual grand celebration, the Khasi people will observe the day with smaller, domestic programmes, Pohthmi confirmed on that day.

Photo: Star

Speaking to The Daily Star, Pohthmi explained that the community's primary source of income -- betel leaf cultivation -- is currently facing a severe downturn. "Farmers are not receiving fair prices for their betel leaves, which has led to widespread financial hardship," she said.

So, we have decided to cancel the celebrations, she said.

Yesterday, she said the government assurance has cleared the way for the celebrations.

Like every year, the Khasi punjee field in the Magurchhara area of Moulvibazar's Kamalganj upazila will be colourfully decorated as part of the event, she added.

Traditionally held on November 23, the festival is a significant cultural event for the Khasi people, marking the end of the old year and welcoming the new one.

Every year, people from around 73 Khasi villages across Sylhet division celebrate this festival, while tourists from home and abroad also participate in it.

Photo: Collected

The event features traditional attire, folk dances, songs, and communal activities like fishing, sports, and cultural performances, aimed at strengthening social ties. A fair also takes place, with stalls offering clothes, betel leaves, and handicrafts made from bamboo and cane.

Saju Marchiang, a spokesperson of the council, said Seng Kut Snem is a festival of the indigenous Khasi faith and culture observed to mark the Seng Khasi Movement.

"Sixteen young men formed an organisation called the Khasi Young Men's Association on November 23, 1899, to preserve and safeguard 'Niam Trai Niam Tre', the indigenous way of life, after continued assault on it during the British rule. The first anniversary of the association was celebrated as 'Seng Kut Snem', and since then it has been celebrated every year to commemorate the movement and the awakening of the Khasi community as a whole," he said.

During the event, the elders impart oratory lessons on the traditional faith, beliefs, and customs of the community as bestowed by the ancestors. The event also represents the cultural and social bond within the Khasi community, he added.