It is celebrated with one of the region's biggest festivals as the chill of winter retreats and spring beauty descends upon the Khasi Hills. Shad Suk Mynsiem is a Khasi custom that honours God for all the blessings and rich harvests – which are marked by many ritualistic activities, dances, and beautiful traditional costumes.
Shad Suk Mynsiem, also called ‘the dance of peaceful hearts', is observed during the month of April. Spring is representative of a rebirth period in many civilizations. It refers to the start of new cycles when fresh seedlings are planted. Shad Suk Mynsiem is an agricultural festival and reflects people's optimism for the coming year.
The most outstanding feature of Shad Suk Mynsiem is the dance and accompanying music. The positioning of the dancers may teach attentive spectators a few things about matrilineal societies that celebrate this occasion. The maidens' dance reflects their function in the community. They are in the middle - keepers of the hearth, home, and clan lineages. The turbaned men in ceremonial outfits are the protectors, who guard the female dancers armed with a swaitlam (sword) and ymphiah (whisk). The arrows represent the qualities of a man. The Shad Suk Mynsiem rituals are based on Hynniewtrep culture's obligations for males, which include advising, leading, and defending.
The female dancers wear the finest silks, which are also adorned with gold, coral, and silver adornments. The crown symbolizes majesty and humility. The lasubon flower is a sacred emblem for Hynniewtrep groups since it represents the dancer's chastity.
Visitors to the Shad Suk Mynsiem celebration may learn more about Niam Khasi and the role of the Seng Khasi - a group dedicated to preserving ancient traditions and fostering modern beliefs and customs. As the Khasis traverse several cultural intersection points, it's one of the finest methods to observe the community's beautiful and ancient history, customs, and symbols on a single stage.