Profile

     Meghalaya is a state in North Eastern India. The word Meghalaya literally means "abode of clouds" in Hindi and Sanskrit.

Meghalaya emerged as an Autonomous State on 2nd April 1970 and as a full-fledged State on 21st January 1972 which marked the beginning of a new era in the geo-political history of North Eastern India.

The state is bounded on the north by Assam and by Bangladesh on the south. The capital city of Meghalaya is Shillong.

Meghalaya is a hilly strip in the eastern part of the country about 300 km long (east-west) and 100 km wide, with a total area of about 22,429 sq. km. The State is located at Latitude 20o1' N & 26o5' N, Longitude 85o49' E & 92o52' E.

Origin

      Meghalaya has precise historic, geographic and strategic significance for India. Meghalaya "the home of clouds", became a full-fledged State on January 21, 1972. It is surrounded on the north by Goalpara, Kamrup, Nagoan and Karbi Anglong districts of Assam State, and on the east by the Districts of Cachar and North Cachar Hills, also of the State of Assam. On the south and west is Bangladesh. Meghalaya is predominantly domesticated by the Khasis, the Jaintias and the Garos. These tribal communities are the descendents of very ancient people having distinct traits and ethnic origins.

     There are different legends, beliefs and findings about the Khasis, Jaintias and Garos. It is said that Khasis were the earliest immigrants who made their way across northern Myanmar to Khasi in the plain of East Assam where they established new centre. Khasis linguistically represents the Mon-khmer speeches spoken in South-East Asia.

     The Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia tribes each had their own kingdoms, until they came under the British administration them in the 19th century. Eventually, the British incorporated Meghalaya into Assam in 1835. After the Independence in 1947, Meghalaya was given autonomous status within Assam. However the Meghalayans were not satisfied with the arrangement and started a peaceful and constitutional struggle for more independence. The turning point in their struggle came when Assam introduced Assamese as the state language, a language unknown to the tribes of Meghalaya. The Centre recognised their plight and their right for a state of their own. In the year 1972, Meghalaya became a full-fledged state in the Republic of India.

People and Culture

Meghalaya is mainly a Christian dominated state. Before the immigration of the Christian missonaries in Meghalaya in the late 19th century AD and later, most inhabitants followed tribal religions.Today, Meghalaya is dominated by three principal groups of people. These are :

  • The Garo in the east and west Garo hills
  • The Khasi-Pnar in the east and west Khasi hills
  • The Jaintias in the Jaintia hills.
    • They primarily follow a matrilineal system. The Khasi group belongs to the Mon-Khemar sub-family of the Austro group of people. The Garo group is a part of the greater Bodo Kacheri family both by cultural and language. Their present location allowed them to maintain many of their customs and characteristics.

    The Khasi and Jaintia tribes are matrilineal in character in which, the immovable property of the deceased, is inherited by females, especially the youngest daughter. As a matter of fact, the female babies and daughters get proper attention of the parents regarding their education and health.

    Tibetan influence is evident in Bhutanese art forms like intricate wall paintings, thankas (wall hangings), historical writings and sculpted images. The theme is basically religious.

    More about People and Culture

Fairs and Festivals

Fairs and Festivals of Meghalaya are:

Nongkrem Dance - Celebrated during Autumn at Smit, the cultural centre of the Khasi Hills, to essentially commemorate the evolution of Khasi indigenous democratic states called HIMA, which are still functioning today under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution when these states, earlier acceded to the Indian Union by signing the Instrument of Accession during 1947-48.

Shad Suk Mynsiem - A colourful thanksgiving festival celebrated during springtime all over Khasi Hills. Virgins dressed in traditional finery and menfolk in colourful costumes participate in the dance to the accompaniment of drums and pipes called tangmuri, the queen of musical instruments.

Behdienkhlam - Celebrated during monsoon in July at Jowai and Tuber in Jaintia Hills. The festival features religious ceremonies and dancing at a pool called 'eit nar', including a football game called 'datlawakor'. The ball in this case is a wooden ball. The festival is essentially to invoke the blessings of the Creator for a bountiful harvest and to chase away disease and plague.

More Fairs and Festivals