Royal Procession, Smit, Meghalaya, India.

This is a religious as well as a royal procession. The king (the man in a white suit with a white scarf) is going to sacrifice a goat to U Blei (god), whose entrails will then be read by the royal astrologers for clues on how to achieve peace and harmony in the coming year. The name of the religion is Niam Tre.
This is the Hima (kingdom) of Khyrim, near Shillong. The Syiem (king) of Hima Khyrim is currently Dr (he's a surgeon in private life) U Balajied Sing. The two girls under the red umbrella are the princesses, his daughters. However, the one to inherit the kingship will be his sister's son, not his own children or their children. This is because, among the Khasi people, succession passes through the maternal line.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• royalty
• procession
• religion
• anthropology

[IndiaJoph]

Ha, you filmed a historical event !