In a similar tone to Greek/Roman myths and the Grimm Brothers tales, The Leap of Ka Likai, from K. U. Rafy's collection of Khasi folk tales, features a stepparent jealous of a child and some cannibalism.
Reading Notes
- The Leap of Ka Likai is the name given to a waterfall in India.
- It's very pretty, but it's known for giving off a loud, angry sound where the water hits the bottom of the mountain.
- This story is about why it gives off such a sound.
- In a village on the hills above the falls, Likai was happily married with an infant daughter.
- But when her husband died, Likai ended up marrying again, mostly for the sole purpose of making sure her daughter would be cared and provided for.
- Her new husband, not the best man to begin with, was angry at the attention his new wife gave his stepdaughter, and when he found out that Likai married him solely to ensure care for her daughter, he swore to hurt the child in some way.
- So the man refused to do any work and made Likai go out, and when left at home would abuse his stepdaughter.
- One day, when Likai had to leave for a longer period of time than usual, the man killed his stepdaughter and cooked portions of her into a dinner.
- When Likai came home, she was suspicious of her husband's seemingly generous mood, but accepted his excuses for the child's absence and ate the dinner without question.
- Afterwards, she went to chew on a betal leaf as she usually did, and found her daughter's severed hand in the basket.
- She questioned her husband, who told her everything, including that she had eaten the flesh of her daughter.
- Likai went mad with grief and threw herself over the falls; the sounds that echo up from the bottom are said to be echos of her cries.
- Her story is also used as a warning for any widows with children who are considering marrying again.
The Nohkalikai Falls in the East Khasi Hills (source: Wikipedia)
No comments:
Post a Comment