"Ka Thep Mawbah” or the Bone Burial Ceremony among the Khasis with Special Reference to Sohra (Cherra Punjee)

Abstract

This work "The Bone Burial Ceremony of the Khasis” was prepared with an aim to bring out the clear picture about the ceremony performed by the khasis after the demise of a person. This is referred to as the Bone Burial ceremony or Thep Mawbah which has both religious and socio- cultural implications. The bones of the deseased are collected and kept in a big stone box called Mawbah accompanied by prayers and rituals. The field work was done in Cherrapunjee where tradition has strong roots. As Cherrapunjee is an area which has always received heavy rainfall, the stone slabs are affixed with a wall to prevent the seeping of water into the boxes containing the bones. Though the khasis hold dear to their customs and traditions, the modernization process has however loosened the grip of the people over them.