The Khasi People
The Khasi are the largest tribal group in Meghalaya, inhabiting the Khasi Hills region around Shillong and Cherrapunji. They are one of the few matrilineal societies remaining in the world — meaning lineage, property, and family names pass through the mother's line.
The Matrilineal System
In Khasi society:
This system has historical roots in the need for community cohesion among a people who lived in dense, challenging forests.
Language & Script
The Khasi language belongs to the Austroasiatic family, related to languages spoken in Southeast Asia — a linguistic anomaly in South Asia. For centuries it was a purely oral language. The Roman script was introduced by Welsh missionaries in the 19th century and is still used today.
Festivals
Nongkrem Dance Festival
Held in November near Shillong, this is the most important Khasi festival. A five-day harvest ceremony featuring the Pomblang (goat sacrifice), it includes sacred dances performed by young women in traditional attire — gold jewelry, silk dresses, and silver crowns.
Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem (Dance of the Joyful Heart)
Celebrated in April, this post-harvest festival involves traditional dancing by both men and women in full traditional regalia at Weiking Ground, Shillong.
Behdeinkhlam
A Jaintia Hills festival celebrated in July to ward off plague and disease, featuring colourful wooden towers (rots) carried in procession.
Traditional Music
Music is central to Khasi life. The traditional orchestra includes:
Modern Khasi music fuses these with guitar and contemporary styles, making Shillong one of India's most vibrant music cities — home to the famous Shillong Choir.
Traditional Dress
Traditional dress is worn during festivals and important occasions.
Food Culture
Khasi cuisine is predominantly meat-based, featuring pork, chicken, and fish. Rice is the staple, cooked in several forms. Cooking is typically done by women, and meals are communal. Kwai (betel nut) is chewed after meals as a digestive.
Sacred Groves (Law Lyngdoh)
The Khasi have maintained sacred forests (law kyntang) for centuries — an ancient environmental conservation practice. Cutting trees, hunting, or disturbing wildlife in these forests is strictly prohibited by customary law. Many of these groves are home to rare orchids and birds.
Visiting Khasi Villages
When visiting villages like Mawlynnong, Smit, or Mawphlang:
The Khasi people are warm and welcoming. A visit to a traditional village is one of the most memorable experiences Meghalaya offers.
