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To the Men with Hate Speech on their Lips

from ‘Sai​-​thaiñ ki Sur by Khasi-Cymru Collective

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about

Cyfansoddiad gwreiddiol gan Lapdiang Syiem a Gareth Bonello.

An original composition by Lapdiang Syiem and Gareth Bonello.

The wonderful Khasi poet and performer Lapdiang Syiem wrote this poem whilst we were rehearsing for the theatre piece Performing Journeys. Whilst Lapdiang was visiting Wales, she heard upsetting news of the proposed Khasi Lineage Bill 2018, A law that would strip Khasi women of their status should they marry a non-Khasi man. Lapdiang writes;
"It was incredibly frustrating that I was not home, so the only way I could challenge the bill was to write about it and hope to perform it one day. And sure enough, it's a piece that I have been able to perform and share with a larger audience."

The poem has so much strength and passion and is such an inspirational response to the injustice of the bill. Lapdiang recorded herself reading the poem and I wrote the music in response. I added a recording of another inspirational Khasi woman; Prit Makri playing a rhythm on the Muiñ that carries a sort of ‘leave me alone’ message to men. You can read Lapdiang’s poem here and find more of her work on the Khasi website Raiot.

lyrics

To the Men with Hate Speech on their Lips

You target me because I am a woman
I am an easy, vulnerable target

Tell me, do you feel more
Powerful
To think of me this way?

You spit profanities on my face, my being, my body
You man, you
You, who have separated "man"
From "human"

You, who are bitter because I choose to love
Someone else
I pity you
I pity you
I pity you

For you cry and whimper
You poor vulnerable thing
Threatening rape and abuse because I choose to love who I want to love
I pity you
I pity you
I pity you

I am my own woman
And my identity lies beyond the Bills and Laws
Your petty councils implement
I am my own woman

I carry the matriline of my grandmother and her grandmother and hers...
Surely my grandmother
Would be turning in her grave
To hear your profanities

My matriline is mine to pass on
Dear man

You, who are insecure in his own identity
Like a spoilt child snatching that which you consider more valuable
I pity you

If you were not so vulnerable
Perhaps you'd understand
I repeat
That my identity is mine to carry and pass on
To the next generation

I weep for you
For
You will never be able to touch my identity, let alone define it
Surely
Your petty Bill
Does stand challenged

Lapdiang Artimai Syiem-Mylliem

credits

from ‘Sai​-​thaiñ ki Sur, released May 28, 2020
Geiriau/words Lapdiang Syiem
Cerddoriaeth/Music Gareth Bonello
Recordiwyd/Recorded Shillong & Caerdydd 2018
Cymysgu/Mixing Llion Robertson

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The Gentle Good Cardiff, UK

Cantor o Gaerdydd sy'n canu yn y Gymraeg a'r Saesneg. Chware'r gitar acwstig yn bennaf.

Songwriter from Cardiff, singing in Welsh and English. Primarily plays acoustic guitar.

Cantautor de Cardiff que canta en galés y inglés. Principalmente toca la guitarra acústica. ... more

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