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Khasi Tribe
Introduction
The Khasi community is one of the oldest indigenous cultures in Northeast India. It is also the largest tribe in state of Meghalaya, comprising about half of the state’s 2.6 million population. The capital city of Shillong in East Khasi Hills is home to this spiritual, nature-loving, and enterprising Austroasiatic-speaking matrilineal culture. In a country with a large patriarchal presence, Khasi society is as close to a female-centric community you can find, where women play a pivotal role within social, economic, and familial realms. The Khasi language is related to the Mon Khmer language family that is home to indigenous populations in mainland Southeast Asia. It is believed that the Khasis lost their script during a great flood. Prior to the British rule in India, during which the English language and script were adopted by the population, community knowledge, tradition, family customs, indigenous methods and stories were orally passed on from one generation to another. The traditional Khasi costumes for women (Jainsem) and men (Jymphong) are both elaborate and unique. These dresses can be seen in their full vibrance during Shad Suk Mynsiem (the dance of the peaceful hearts), a festival marking the harvest season and paying homage to U Blei (God).
The Origin
The Khasi origin story begins at Lum Sohpetbneng, a sacred hill that is known as the navel of heaven. The Khasis believe that in the beginning, jingkieng ksiar, a golden ladder, connected the earth and the sky, with mankind originating in heaven. Sixteen families would regularly descend the ladder to cultivate on earth. It is believed that one day the golden ladder was broken leaving behind seven families, which eventually spread to different continents. Corresponding to this story, the Khasi tribes are designated into seven sub-tribes - Khynriam (or Nongphlang), Pnar (or Synteng), Bhoi, War, Maram, Lyngngam, and Diko. These tribes are also known as the children of the seven huts or Ki Hynniewtrep. This popular origin story draws some similarities to that of the people of Mon Khmer and also the Cherokee tribe.
Women in Society
In a country that is both rich in heritage and home to patriarchal societies, the Khasi matrilineal culture is strikingly unique in its construct and functioning compared to the rest of India. It is also one of the largest and few remaining operational matrilineal communities today. This stems from hundreds of years of matrilineal heritage, where women have been the binding force of a self-sustaining culture founded on a way of life that was originally architected to be in harmony with nature. Khasi women play a pivotal role in the community and lead social, familial, and sometimes even economic realms. The Khasis live in very close-knit families or clans that encompass both immediate and extended family. As is customary in a matrilineal society, children take on the surnames of their mothers, and daughters are entrusted with the continuity of the clan’s heritage. The youngest daughter or khadduh, is given the responsibility of being the custodian of the clan’s property. This trusteeship was anchored in the belief that land is sacred and that humans were made custodians of “mother earth” by their Creator or U Blei. This principle changed after British rule in India, which brought with it the concept of land ownership. However, many of the female-centric elements of matrilineality remain intact in the Khasi community today. It is believed that the tribe first started as a patriarchal society, however, it transformed into a matrilineal culture in an effort to sustain itself during a period when the community experienced significant disruption driven by the loss of male lives in battle. In Meghalaya, it is very common to see more women than men running trade in the local markets, making a visit to this region almost a journey into another world.
Bijoya Sawian (Featured Speaker)
Bijoya Sawian is a writer and translator who lives in Shillong and Dehradun in India. She studied at Seng Khasi school and Loreto Convent in Shillong. After graduating in English Literature (Honors) from Lady Shri Ram College, she completed her Masters in English at Miranda House, Delhi University. Her literary works essentially deal with the life and culture of the Khasi community of Northeast India. Her highly acclaimed translations from Khasi into English of the indigenous culture of the Khasis, have been published by Vivekananda Institute of Culture Guwahati and Ri Khasi Press Shillong. Bijoya Sawian’s works of fiction include Shadow Men (Speaking Tiger Books New Delhi 2020) and A Family Secret and other Stories (Zubaan New Delhi 2014). Shadow Men has been referred to as one of the most important literary works that has emerged from the North East, a “classic novel” (Namita Gokhale Co-Director Jaipur Litfest). The book was shortlisted for the prestigious Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize 2020. Many of her short stories have been published both in India and overseas, including the Sahitya Akademi. She is also a regular contributor to various literary journals, magazines and newspapers. Her stories and articles have been translated into Hindi by the Ramnika Foundation New Delhi Bijoya Sawian is also a keen and dedicated educator. Along with her husband, Alark Singh, she runs The Annfield Senior Secondary Co Educational School in Vikasnagar, Dist Dehra Dun in Uttrakhand.