A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.
Overview
U Pyrthat is the thunder giant who summons the animals to their first great festival by beating a drum audible from the remotest forest. During the celebrations he admires the silver sword displayed by U Kui, the lynx, and asks to borrow it for a dance. The reluctant owner gives way after the assembled animals accuse him of discourtesy toward their guest and herald.
The giant swings the sword so rapidly that it dazzles everyone and beats his drum until the earth shakes. The animals scatter, and in the confusion U Pyrthat leaps into the sky with the borrowed weapon. Rafy’s narrative identifies later lightning with its flashing blade and thunder with his drum. It supplies a giant’s action and instruments without adding storm-cloud anatomy, multiple limbs or a divine genealogy.
U Kui remains below, grieving for the sword and raising a mound in the hope of eventually climbing to the sky and reclaiming it. The tale does not report his success or the sword’s return. The stolen instrument and unfinished recovery are the specific ending of this explanation, which is kept separate from meteorological fact and from other traditions of thunder beings.
Origins & earliest records
Khasi tale selected and presented in English by Mrs. Rafy
Records & interpretation
Complete named chapters, title page and foreword read.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
Folk-Tales of the Khasis
XIX, What makes the Lightning, pp.97–99; Macmillan, London
Family & connections
A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.
Primary records and illustrations
Mrs. Rafy, Folk-Tales of the Khasis (1920)
English collection. XIX, What makes the Lightning, pp.97–99
Complete tale and foreword read. U Kui remains below, grieving for the sword and raising a mound in the hope of eventually climbing to the sky and reclaiming it. The tale does not report his success or the sword’s return. The stolen instrument and unfinished recovery are the specific ending of this explanation, which is kept separate from meteorological fact and from other traditions of thunder beings.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Historical English folklore collectionRafy, Folk-Tales of the Khasis, XIX, What makes the Lightning, pp.97–99Research access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.