While re-translating The Instructions of Shuruppak, I came across this passage:
“In olden days, when the earth was very young, they say that heaven and earth were very near to one another, because the navel-string of heaven drew the earth very close to it. This navel-string of heaven, resembling flesh, linked a hill near Sumer with heaven. At that time all the subjects of the Siem of Mylliem throughout his kingdom came to one decision: to sever the navel-string from that hill. After they had cut it, the navel-string became short; and, as soon as it shortened, heaven then ascended high. It was since that time that heaven became so high, and it is for that reason that they call that hill which is near Sumer "U Lum Sohpet Byneng."
From The Khasis by P. R. T. Gurdon, 1914 (online Gutenberg Project)
Khasi is a language spoken by people in Northeast India in the region of Meghalaya, (apparently from Sanskrit ‘the abode in the clouds’). As I understand it, this is not a reference to Sumer in Mesopotamia. According to an article in The Telegraph of India, it refers to a mountain peak and valley in the Ri Bhoi district of Meghalaya.
Nevertheless, the similarities are bizarre, particularly as there is mention of the ‘navel-string’, a point that is evidence of extremely ancient lore, and it mentions the decision to cut the cord. That might correspond to burial of the site. ‘The hill near Sumer’ is repeated. I mentioned it in the notes to The Story of Sukurru but keep coming back to it. It’s too strange.
Does anyone have more information on the Indian site, names or anything at all that links to the above and might clarify it? Thanks
Madeleine
“In olden days, when the earth was very young, they say that heaven and earth were very near to one another, because the navel-string of heaven drew the earth very close to it. This navel-string of heaven, resembling flesh, linked a hill near Sumer with heaven. At that time all the subjects of the Siem of Mylliem throughout his kingdom came to one decision: to sever the navel-string from that hill. After they had cut it, the navel-string became short; and, as soon as it shortened, heaven then ascended high. It was since that time that heaven became so high, and it is for that reason that they call that hill which is near Sumer "U Lum Sohpet Byneng."
From The Khasis by P. R. T. Gurdon, 1914 (online Gutenberg Project)
Khasi is a language spoken by people in Northeast India in the region of Meghalaya, (apparently from Sanskrit ‘the abode in the clouds’). As I understand it, this is not a reference to Sumer in Mesopotamia. According to an article in The Telegraph of India, it refers to a mountain peak and valley in the Ri Bhoi district of Meghalaya.
Nevertheless, the similarities are bizarre, particularly as there is mention of the ‘navel-string’, a point that is evidence of extremely ancient lore, and it mentions the decision to cut the cord. That might correspond to burial of the site. ‘The hill near Sumer’ is repeated. I mentioned it in the notes to The Story of Sukurru but keep coming back to it. It’s too strange.
Does anyone have more information on the Indian site, names or anything at all that links to the above and might clarify it? Thanks
Madeleine
