The Legend Of Mount Sophet Bneng

: Folk-tales Of The Khasis

Sophet Bneng is a bare dome-like hill, about thirteen miles to the

north of Shillong, and not far from the Shillong-Gauhati highroad to

the East, from which it is plainly visible. Its name signifies the

centre of heaven.



From the time of the creation of the world a tall tree, reaching to the

sky, grew on the top of this hill, and was used by the heavenly beings

as a ladder to ascend and descend between he
ven and earth. At that

time the earth was uninhabited, but all manner of trees and flowers

grew in abundance, so that it was a very beautiful and desirable

place, and they of heaven frequently came down to roam and to take

their pleasure upon it.



When they found that the land in the neighbourhood of Sophet Bneng

was fertile and goodly, they began to cultivate it for profit, but

they never stayed overnight on the earth; they ascended to heaven,

according to the decree. Altogether sixteen families followed the

pastime of cultivating the land upon the earth.



Among the heavenly beings there was one who greatly coveted power,

and was unwilling to remain the subject of his Creator, and aspired

to rule over his brethren. He was constantly seeking for opportunities

whereby to realise his ambitions.



One day it happened that seven families only of the cultivators

chose to descend to the earth, the other nine remaining in heaven

that day. When they were busy at work in their fields, the ambitious

one covertly left his brethren, and, taking his axe secretly, he cut

down the tree of communication, so that the seven families could not

return to their heavenly home.



Thus it was that mankind came to live on the earth, and it is from

these seven families--called by the Khasis "Ki Hinniew Skum" (the

seven nests, or the seven roots)--who descended from heaven on that

fatal day that all the nations of the earth have sprung.



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