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The ancestry of the Sutnga Syiems who once ruled the
Jaintia Kingdom is traced back to a
mysterious incident, which is said to have occurred in a bygone era at
Waikhyrwi.
Legend
A legend says that long ago, a handsome young fisherman U Luh Ryndi once
caught a big silvery fish as he angled in the river Umwi. When he returned
home, where he lived alone, he put the fish over the fireplace. Forgetting
all about it, he left home the net day for hunting. When he returned, he
was surprised to find his house cleaned up and the food prepared. His
queries to his neighbour about the good Samaritan who has done his
household chores in his absence drew a blank. Luh was mystified.
Next day, he hid himself in the hope of resolving the mystery of the
unknown hand who had tended to his house the earlier day. At dusk, Luh
spied a sudden movement over the fireplace where he had kept the silvery
fish. He was stunned to see a mermaid coming out of the silvery fish he
had caught. She slowly assumed full human form. She was tall, stately,
fair, longhaired, blue eyed and with perfect feet. She was an angelic lass
of flawless beauty. She went about the house setting things in order and
preparing the evening meal.
On questioning by Luh Ryndi, she told him that she was Ka Li Dakha, the
silvery fish he had caught at Umwi. He married her and they lived happily
together near Sutnga. They had five children, two girls and three boys,
namely, "Ka Raputong", "Ka Rupanga", "U
Syngkhlein-am", "U Bania-am" and "U Tetia". One
day U Luh Ryndi and Ka Li Dakha went together to fish at a pool at
Waikhyrwi also known as "Thwei Syiem". As he tried to fish, Ka
Li Dakha jumped into the pool, resumed her mermaid form and disappeared
into its water. He tried to fish her out again and again, but failed to do
so.
He threw his fishing rod in disgust and disappointment, tip downwards.
The rod, which struck the base of the pool, later sprouted giving rise to
a species of Bamboo whose branches fork downwards. This species of bamboo
can still be found growing near the Waikhyrwi pool.
Years later, when there was a search for to unite the Jaintia Dollois, U
Luh Ryndi claimed the right for his children citing their divine origin
through Ka Li Dakha. His claim was accepted. His elder daughter was
recognised as the ancestral Queen Mother of the Sutnga Syiems, and, his
younger daughter as the ancestral Queen mother for the Khatsawphra Syiems.
Although the Jaintia Kingdom is no longer there, the pool at Waikhyrwi
exists in all its pristine beauty till today.
Jowai: 8-km