The Fabled Land of the Khasi People

The Khasi people reside in the central hills and plateaus of the beloved state of Meghalaya. One of the earliest settlers of the Indian subcontinent, a long history connects them to this land; their religion and lore is deeply rooted in it and is as mysterious. In this rainy clouded land of plentiful clean rivers, rolling hills, dense forests, and pristine valleys, the Khasis have for thousands of years flourished as a culture that respects nature and learns from it. Though most are Christians today, the legacy and ways of their ancients are still an important part of their lives. This can be observed in their sacred forests, in their sustainable lifestyle, in their fables, folklore, and traditional beliefs and customs. Perhaps the best example of their mysterious connection with nature are the now famous living root bridges – sustainable eco-structures that are built by the tribe by training the roots of growing fig trees. The root bridges, some of which are over a hundred feet long, take ten to thirty years to become fully functional, but they're extraordinarily strong and some can even support the weight of fifty or more people at a time. Because they are alive and still growing, the bridges gain strength over time – and some of the ancient root bridges are well over five hundred years old.

Calling themselves Ki Khun U Hynñiewtrep or “the children of the seven huts”, the Khasis believe that their religion is given by God and is based on the belief of one supreme creator U Blei Nongthaw. A Khasi is a deeply religious person with an intense love of life. He believes that life is the creator's greatest gift and is accounted for in the hereafter. Khasis predominantly follow a matrilineal system where the lineage and inheritance is passed down to the women of a family, where remarkably the youngest daughter inherits all the property and cares for the aged parents and unmarried siblings. This can again be metaphorically connected to the tribe's deep love and respect for 'mother' nature.

In this journey, you will traverse through a scenic landscape dotted with abundant greenery, caves, waterfalls, rivers, and lakes. In the Cherrapunji area, which is the wettest place on earth, you will come across a lifestyle that has been influenced by torrential rain. In the Khasi village of Nongriat only accessible through a beautiful hike, a double-storied root bridge dominates the landscape along with breathtaking turquoise pools and forests filled with fruits, butterflies, and wildflowers. Here, the people are healthy and have a rich traditional knowledge of living alongside nature. A person once recounted an eighty-year-old villager hiking to his home with a refrigerator on his back. Lastly, in the village of Mawlynnong, known for its prettiness, the educated Khasi community come together to keep their village exceptionally clean – neat small lanes connect cozy houses with front yards filled with flowers and kitchen gardens. Community-based tourism initiatives ensure that tourism in the village is low-scale and inspirational, and the proceeds go directly to the local residents.