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.