Khasis Of Meghalaya

Khasi is a tribe that mainly inhabits the north-eastern state of Meghalaya, Assam as well as in some parts of West Bengal, Mizoram, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Nicobar Islands and also Bangladesh (like the hilly areas of Sylhet). The people of the Khasi tribe call themselves by the name of Ki Hynñiew trep, which means ‘the seven huts’ in Khasi language. The Khasis also form a majority of the population of the eastern part of Meghalaya. The Khasis belong to the ‘Mongoloid stock’.

The Khasis comprise four sub-tribes, namely, Khynriam, Pnar or Synteng, Bhoi and War who belong to the Proto Austroloid Monkhmer race. The Khynriams inhabit the Khasi Hills proper, the Pnar or Syntengs inhabit the Jaintia Hills and the steep southern slopes leading to Bangladesh, the Bhoi live in the lower hills lying to the north and north-east of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills towards the Brahmaputra valley while the Wars inhabit the precipitous slopes and deep valleys to the south of the district.
The Lynngams are another tribe who inhabit the western parts of the Khasi Hills with linguistic and cultural resemblance with the Khasis and the Garos.

History

The Khasis are said to be immigrant tribes who arrived from Myanmar and settled in the plains of eastern Assam. They even had their own kingdoms before being overpowered by the British. One can also find the mention of the Khasis in Bhagvat Purana, an Indo-Aryan literature work.

Language

The language of the Khasis is also called Khasi (belonging to Austro-Asiatic language group), which was essentially oral in form until the European missionaries transcribed the Khasi dialect into the Roman Script. Welsh missionary Thomas Jones particularly played a significant role in this.

Occupation

Jhoom cultivation or shifting agriculture is the main occupation of the Khasis. Under this form of agriculture, the tribals clear a piece of land (generally on hill slopes) and harvest crops there over a long period till it loses its fertility. Then it is left to reclaim its fertility while the tribals shift to some other site. The Khasis in Bangladesh also grow beetel leaf through Jhoom cultivation.

Among other agricultural crops, the Khasis produce potato, orange, and export them to various places. They also produce maize and rice besides fruits, cassia leaf, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric and vegetables.
Among other occupations, Khasis also work as blacksmiths and carpenters and sell honey. Some even earn their livelihood as workers or coolies. The Khasi women also prepare wine or beer and sell them in the market.

Weapons and utensils: Khasis use weapons like swords, spears, bows and arrows and round shields. Among the various kinds of utensils that are used by the Khasis, there are iron pan and earthy vessels, small and big pitchers made of brass and spoons made of brass and bamboos.

Dress

Jymphong, a longish sleeveless coat, tied by thongs in front is the traditional attire of a Khasi male. They also wear Jymphong and dhoti with an ornamental waistband on certain ceremonial occasions. A Khasi female wears a Jainsem or a Dhara, which is a cylindrical shaped cloth. On certain occasions, the Khasi women wear a gold or silver crown on their head. While the male wear feathers, women wear a spike attached to the back of their crown. Both Khasi men and women wear earrings as well as gold and silver chains around their waists.

Houses

Khasis live in houses made of thatches. The houses located in Cherrapunzi region are bigger in size with walls made of stone. The Khasi villages are generally set up away from the hills.

Food

Rice is the staple food of the Khasis and they also consume fish and meat. They drink rice beer during ceremonial occasions.

Entertainment

Music is an important part of the Khasi way of lifestyle. They play drums, guitars, flutes, wooden pipes, and metal cymbals. Khasis are love dancing.

Festivals

Nongkrem (also known as Ka Pomblang Nongkrem) is the major festival of the Khasis, which is celebrated in the month of November every year. Shad Suk Mynsiem is another notable festival of the Khasis.

Physical appearance

Khasis feature brown to light yellow skin, high nasal bridge and aquiline noses.

Social Structure

The Khasi society is matrilineal in nature. Khasis also have different ‘phaids’ and clans. In a Khasi family, it is the youngest daughter (Ka Khadduh) who inherits the ancestral property. If the Ka Khadduh wants to dispose off the ancestral property, she must take into confidence her uncle and brothers. The maternal uncle plays a key role in family affairs. A Khasi family can also adopt a female in case it is without a female.

In case the Ka Khadduh dies without any daughter surviving her, her immediate elder sister inherits the ancestral property, and after her, the latter’s youngest daughter. In case there are no female survivors at all, the property goes back to the mother’s sister, mother’s sister’s daughter and so on. Among the War-Khasis, the property passes to the children, male or female on equal basis while among the War-Jaintias, only the female children get inheritance.

With respect to marriage, intra-clan marriage is strictly prohibited in a Khasi family. During marriage, the Khasi bride and the bridegroom exchange rings and betel-nut bags. A woman can not be forced into marriage. After marriage, the bridegroom goes to the house of his bride and lives there with his in-laws. Later, he leaves his in-laws’ place and builds a house for his own family.

Political organisation

The head of each political organisation of the Khasi society is called Siem. He plays an important part in the organisation and carries outs all the important tasks in consultation with the ministers of the council. Among its various duties, the organisation tries criminals and punishes them severely. However, at present the organisation has lost its former status and importance to a great extent.

Religions

Christianity (Presbyterian, Anglican, Roman Catholic) is the main religion of the Khasis. They worship the supreme creator Goddess by the name of U Blei Nong-thaw. The goddess is believed to be the saviour from all trouble. Ulei Muluk (God of the state), Ulei Umtang (God of drinking water and cooking water), Ulei Longspah (God of wealth) and O Ryngkew or U Basa Shnong (village God) are the other Khasi gods. Khasis also have a religion called Ka Niam Tynrai.

Meghalaya

Meghalaya (meaning ‘Abode of Cloud’) is a small north-eastern state covering an area of 22,720 square kilometres. The state is bordered by Assam in the north and east and Bangladesh in the south and west. The majority of the state is covered by forest land that is home to a rich biodiversity. Meghalaya was carved out from the state of Assam in January 1972. State capital is Shillong. Meghalaya comprises the districts of East Garo Hills, East Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, Ri-Bhoi, South Garo Hills, West Garo Hills and the West Khasi Hills.