CULTURE OF NORTH EASTERN INDIA - MEGHALAYA

CULTURE OF NORTH EASTERN INDIA - MEGHALAYA

                    The people of Meghalaya have a rich tribal cultural heritage. One of the distinct features of the culture of the people is their tradition of matrilineal system. In Sanskrit, Meghalaya means ‘the abode of clouds’ and signifies the state’s rightful claim as being the wettest place in the planet.

RELIGION:

               Christians constitute majority of the state Meghalaya. Meghalaya is one of the three states having higher Christian population.  Christianity is of 74.59% of the total population. Most of the religion of the  tribes of North eastern India mostly have the identical patterns of practice, tradition etc., During 1830’s, the Christian missionaries came to Meghalaya and they started converting the tribal people. Hinduism constitutes of 11.53% of the total population of the state.

FESTIVALS:

  

             The Shad Suk Mynsiem is celebrated in April. The rituals or ceremonies are conducted by individual family clans or the Khasi state (Hima). The dance is performed by unmarried girls to signify the matrilineal and patrilineal structure of the Khasi society. The most important of festivals among the Khasis, the Nongkrem Festival is celebrated every year at Smit, 15 kms away from Shillong. It is an essential seat of the Hima Khyriem (Chief of Khyriem). The rituals are performed by the Syiem, the head of the Khasi state. In this festival, the young women perform the Shad Kynthei circled by the men performing Shad Mystieh, as a symbol of male power protection over the women. The other most important festival is  Behdeinkhlam Festival. it is celebrated before the seed sowing season. This festival is celebrated every year at Jowai town and other villages of the Janita hills.

ART AND CRAFT:

             Weaving is an ancient craft of the tribals of Meghalaya. The people make a special mat by cane called 'Tlieng', which can be utilized for 20-30 years. The jewellery of the Khasis and the Jaintias are also alike and the pendant is called 'Kynjri Ksiar', being made of 24-carat gold. The Garo people manufacture beautiful baskets known as 'Meghum Khoks'. Garo people is also expertise in Pokerwork in which designs are burnt into the bamboo with a red-hot pointed rod. Jaintia tribe of Meghalaya are skilled in making bamboo fishing traps which function well. The other famous handicrafts are Mud Shovel, open weave carrying basket,Khasi Bamboo Comb, Khasi bamboo pipes etc.,

DRESS:

                                

Khasi tribe

                For women, the traditional costume is known as Jainsen. This unstitched garment is made of mulberry silk and is worn around the body. Women of Khasi tribes wear Jainsen along with a blouse. Women of Garo tribes wear eking which is a small cloth worn around the waist. Men belonging to the Garo tribe wear a loincloth as their traditional dress. The men of the Khasi Tribe wear a long cloth around their waist which is unstitched. Jaintia tribe women wear Kyrshah, a small piece of cloth having checks on it to cover their heads. They wear velvet blouse and an ankle length sarong known as Thoh Khyrwang. Kynjri Ksiar is a unique gold pendant which is adorned by the women belonging to the Khasi and Jaintia tribes.

CUISINE:

            

Jadoh snam

    Doh Khlieh, is a delicious delicacy of Meghalaya that comprises of pig brains cooked in curry and eaten with Indian bread. Nahkham is the dried stinky fish mixed with rice and served with onions, coriander, garlic, red chilli etc., In Khasi language, ‘Ja’ means rice and ‘Doh’ means meat. 'Jadoh snam' is cooked in blood. Most recipes of Jadoh snam will talk about carefully choosing the type of blood as it can enhance or destroy the taste. The speciality of 'Pumaloi' is that it is a powdered rice and it is famous in Khasi. Bamboo Shoots is one of their favourite dishes and you can have it in many styles, but Khasi people love to have it with thin chunks of pork.

MUSIC AND DANCE:

         Garos tribe usually sing folk songs with the beats of various types of drums and flutes. Being rooted in the Seng Khasi movement, members of the “Snap Paka” school ensemble celebrate their culture and religion by playing several music instruments in traditional attire. Nongrem dance is a religious festival dance in thanksgiving to god almighty. The Lahoo Dance is performed by both male nad female for entertainment. Attired in their best costumes they dance by holding arms. Wangala festival is celebrated during Autumn, after the harvesting season. In this festival, ceremonies to the deity Patigipa Rarongipa held in every village. the four days and nights tour will be accompanied by dancing.   

                                                                                        

                                                                               VARSHAA.R