Meghalaya - Introduction

"Abode of the Clouds”, this is Meghalaya, the destination which soothes the minds of weary travellers. Clouds are always found during the monsoon season nestling in the tropical forest valleys of Garo Hills or in the temperate pine forests of the Khasi and Jaintia hills. Situated in the North Eastern corner of India, Meghalaya is bounded by Assam in the north and east, and the plains of Bangladesh in the south and west. The state covers an area of 22,429 sq. kms with a population density of 78.5 per sq. km.

The name describes the climatic phenomenon that brings torrential rain to its hills and forests, these same hills and mountains are responsible for this climatic experience as they force rain clouds coming in from the Bay of Bengal to move up - resulting in heavy rain. The Cherrapunjee belt receives the highest rainfall in the world.

The higher ranges of the Khasi/Jaintia hills enjoy a cool, bracing, temperate climate while the winters can be cold. The Garo hills on the other hand, is at a lower altitude, and has tropical vegetation. The summer months in Tura, the administrative capital of Garo hills, are warm and humid whereas winters are pleasant with a slight chill.

Meghalaya became the 21st State of the Indian Union, when it achieved full-fledged Statehood in 1972. Home to the Khasi, Garo, Jaintia and some lesser known tribes, Meghalaya boasts of a unique matrilineal lineage system practiced by all the three major tribes with some degree of variation. Property is inherited by the women, and the youngest daughter is the heiress of the ancestral property in the Khasi/Jaintia tradition. The Garos have a slight variation, if the youngest daughter is found not worthy, the property may be given to any of the other daughters.

The Khasis and the Jaintias predominantly inhabit the districts of Eastern Meghalaya. They are known to be amongst the earliest ethnic group of settlers belonging to the Proto Austroloid, Mon-Khmer race. The Jaintia Kingdom was a known kingdom in bygone years with mention in the Ahom chronicles. The Garo Hills are predominantly inhabited by the Garos, or as they prefer to call themselves, the Achiks. Belonging to the Tibeto-Burman race, they are said to have migrated from Western China via Tibet.

Traditionally, the Khasis believe that their religion is God-given and not founded by man. It is Mono-Theistic based on the belief of One Supreme God who is called ‘U Blei Nongthaw’. Respect is paid to ancestors as they are believed to keep a watch over the family. To the Khasi, life is God’s greatest gift and he therefore has to account for it in the hereafter.

The Garos, like the Khasis, believe in One Supreme God called ‘Rabuga’ who is the Sustainer and Commander of the world. The spirits connected to the agricultural life are very important to them and are appeased only by sacrifices and never worshipped. However, many members of the Khasi, Garo and Jaintia communities profess Christianity which was introduced in the middle of the 19th century. Today one can see churches, temples, mosques, gurudwaras and monastries in Meghalaya. By nature, the people of Meghalaya are cheerful, hospitable, peaceful and social; something reflected in their music, dance and sports.