Why Khasi Tribes Consider Lakadong Turmeric Nature’s Most Sacred Gift

If the Khasi tribes held their lands close, Lakadong turmeric is one reason. They call turmeric not just a plant, but a gift from nature—“gold for the body, sunlight for the soul.” In Khasi cosmology, everything has a spirit; plants especially. A turmeric plant planted under a good moon, in shade, after rain, cared for by hands that know soil—that’s sacred. A child born with a smear of turmeric (often during a naming ceremony) is believed to be blessed with protection and health. Turmeric paste is applied to new-borns (with water and oils) for both healing and blessing. It’s ever-present in weddings, festivals, and in kitchens, not just as seasoning but as emblem: prosperity, vitality, health.

Such traditions aren’t merely symbolic. They embed an intimate relationship with nature: knowing soil, rainfall, harvest cycles; appreciating rhizomes freshly dug vs dried; preserving turmeric’s taste and aroma. That closeness likely contributes to the care with which Lakadong turmeric is grown and handled—less chemical use, more slow drying, shade use, minimal harsh handling. All of which, science suggests, improves potency.

Khasi elders speak: when turmeric is harvested, evenings are reserved for family work, community sharing; some roots are always kept for home, never sold. That reserve isn’t just economy—it’s cultural insurance so that future generations maintain both seed and story.

With the 2024 GI tag, there is hope that those practices will gain visibility and protection. Government recognition means more incentive for authenticity. But with increasing external demand, there’s also risk: pressure to compromise on rural practices or environmental conditions.

What the Khasi knowledge offers the world is more than turmeric—it’s sustainable living. It’s knowing that soil, sun, ritual, community, art, story—all influence what ends up in your bowl. If you cook with Lakadong, you aren’t just flavouring food; you are tasting hills, listening to stories, carrying tradition.