The Origin of Betel and Tobacco (Kwai)
Once upon a time there lived two bosom friends, one was from a wealthy family while the other was of lowly station. The poor man often spent time at his friend's house but his neighbours refused to believe he had such a friend making disparaging remarks. Vexed at their disbelief, the poor man invited his wealthy friend.
But the poor man and his wife realised they had nothing to offer. None of their neighbours were willing to spare a single morsel. Out of shame and a broken heart, he seized a knife and stabbed himself to death. Inconsolable, the wife too killed herself. That night, a thief entered their home hoping to warm himself at the hearth where he fell asleep. Seeing two dead bodies in the morning, the thief too killed himself for fear of being apprehended. On finding three dead bodies, the villagers were overcome with grief.
The rich man too arrived who wept and prayed to the Great God. Seeing his sorrow, the Great God caused three plants to grow - the Betel, the Paan (Betel Leaf) and the Tobacco - which even the poorest people could offer to their guests without losing their honour.
Since then, it became a point of etiquette in Khasi households, rich and poor alike, to offer betel nut and betel leaf with lime or tobacco to visitors. The betel nut stands for the rich man for his unwavering friendship, betel leaf and lime are the poor man and his wife for they are always together, while tobacco is the thief for it is inserted in the corner of the mouth, similar to a thief hiding in a corner of the house.
There are variations of this story; In one of them, the rich man too kills himself. And out of the four dead bodies sprung the betel nut, betel leaf, lime and tobacco.
There are variations of this story; In one of them, the rich man too kills himself. And out of the four dead bodies sprung the betel nut, betel leaf, lime and tobacco.
