Meghalaya is one of the most popular tourist attractions in India. It is not only rich in terms of beauty, nature, and environment but also its culture and tradition. People have built their habitat since the Neolithic age, which is the final stage of the Stone Age period.
So, one can only imagine the kind of spectacular heritage that Meghalaya is blessed with. The Neolithic sites in Meghalaya were traced down in the high mesmerizing elevation areas of Khasi Hills, Garo Hills, and its neighboring states. It is enthralling to learn that to date the shifting cultivation is practiced. This makes Meghalaya a place with not only archeological learning but also a place that can give a birds-eye view of our historical existence.
Khasis, Garo, and Jaintia play a vital role in the state of Meghalaya. They are part of the prime community of Meghalaya and are known for their individual, unconventional nature. Despite having their customs, traditions, and rituals, they showcase a strong stand on unity when compared to the communities across the world. In the era of pretentious equality, they are true leaders and influencers when it comes to the real meaning of equality, unity and solidarity and take pride in it.
When one studies the Chronicle of this Northeastern State of India; it is seen that Khasis are from the Mon-Khmer ancestry, Garos are from the Tibeto-Burman origin, and Jaintias have their foundation from South East Asia. This in itself can be given as an astounding example to the world to stand together with each other keeping aside race, caste, and community differences.
Apart from their emergence, one of the most distinctive traits of these three communities is the matrilineal system where lineage and heritage are inherited from the female side of the family. It is admirable how the youngest daughter of the family inherits all the property. Along with her inheritance, she becomes no less than the head of the family by becoming guardian to her parents and her unmarried siblings. The communities of Meghalaya deserve the credibility where they give a rare opportunity to the daughter-in-law of the family to become the heir of the house in case there is no daughter in the family or no other girl child is nominated for the same.
Despite the matrilineal system is followed in this region, the mother’s brother still holds the ropes of controlling the lineage of the family. Even though is an indirect holding, nonetheless one cannot miss the fact that it is ultimately the female who is allowed power on the inheritance. In case the family is deprived of the girl child, they also have an alternative of adopting a girl child from another family by performing a peculiar ceremony with the community which makes her the heir to the family heritage and property.
Apart from its idiosyncratic matrilineal system, this alluring region of Meghalaya is also well-known for its rich tribal and folk culture. It is a home to music and dance lovers. For each occasion, they have a unique dance form which includes social, religious, agricultural, funeral, and recreational gathering. One can compare their dance with emotions that a person feels during different occasions and different festivals. Dance is known as the best form of expression, and the people of Meghalaya leave no stone unturned to do justice to the saying.
These communities are also well-known for perfecting reflecting their gestures and mood through war hunts, harvest, partner choice, and fertility dances. The men of the community usually show the war dance (Grika) with women supporting and cheering them. Much to anyone’s surprise, there are also the partners or elopement dance where a girl and boys express ill-suited gestures. Instead of courting, the boys disguise themselves as suitors approaching the girl, and whereas the female of the troop is concerned; they express their and acceptance-rejection through a gesture.
The Northeast state is surrounded by various dance forms which include ‘Nongkrem Dance’ that is dedicated to God for a good harvest, peace, and prosperity among the community. The annual Spring Dance ‘Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem’ is performed celebrating the harvest of the sowing seasons in the region of Meghalaya. However, it is compelling that only unmarried-virgin girls are allowed to take part in this dance form. One can also not miss one of the most interesting dance forms ‘Doregata Dance’ where women try to knock the turbans of their male partner through their head. The Chambil Mesara also called as Pomelo Dance and Lahoo Dance are another dance form which are enjoyed by both male and female of the state.
Along with dance, Meghalaya is said to have an abundance of folk songs which are depicted from the soulful sound from the musical instruments. The folk songs of this region narrate the beautiful, longing, and memory engraving tales of birth, marriage, love, and other issues including social and domestic. It expresses the perfect balance of life and also the fluctuation of the life cycle in the form of music. It takes you through the musical journey of various lives that people surrounding us have.
However, Meghalaya is also enriched in western music where one cannot help but groove on the dance floor with its best foot forward. Shillong in the state is said to be the ‘Rock Capital Capital’ of India where not only people from India but also International Artists perform in the concert.
In Meghalaya, all three ethnic tribal troops have their traditional political institution that is in the existence for centuries. Despite not being the most developed state, this region has developed a well-established hierarchy comprising villages, clans, and constituencies with an effective delegation of functions.
A tradition amongst India is considered to be a core part of their ancestry and Meghalaya breaches all the conventional mindset that is engraved in the brains of mankind on this planet. Unlike any other place, it is the female that proposes or courts the male for the marriage. However, they do follow stringent rules of two kinds of law, namely Exogamy and Akim. In this law, marriages are not accepted within the same clan; however, one is allowed to get married in the same clan in case of the death of the other spouse.
Breaking all the stereotypes that we are made to follow; one cannot help but learn and implicate a great ounce of practice from the people of Meghalaya by getting in touch with their culture and tradition.