A slice of Khasi culture

A three-hour drive from the Guwahati airport takes you past picturesque, gentle hill slopes, green meadows and football fields to Shillong, in the North-Eastern state of Meghalaya - the area that is all set to resound with the sounds of the Monolith Festival. This first-of-its-kind, two-day event will be showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Khasi tribe (one of the three main tribes of the state) on October 25 and 26.

Says P N Syiem, chief executive member of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council ( KHADC), "We're sure visitors will be spellbound by the culture of the 53 clans that will be showcased here -- their lifestyle, food, music, handicrafts, etc. And, I must also mention that a beautiful 66,000 sq ft. indigenous food market has been created here that will highlight not just the wide array of our culinary specialties but also revive a variety of lost Khasi cuisines too. For this, a number of vegetable and fruits are being brought back into mainstream cooking, something that the youngsters of today are sure to appreciate and love."

The venue will also house a heritage village, complete with a museum, which has been set up to present "vignettes of the different Khasi clans through the ages. Although this village has been created mainly for this festival, it will remain open for the rest of the year too for tourists," informs Syiem.

Also lying in the vicinity is the ancient Mawphlang Grove that is regarded as very sacred by the Khasis. "That is why not even a leaf or a blade of grass is plucked by anyone from here. You walk through it, admire the different colours and scents of the vegetation, plants and trees, and enjoy feeling one with nature. We Khasis do not even like to leave any eatables or food packets here - that is the kind of sanctity we attach to this grove," informs a local. The Mawphlang Grove will be witnessing a tree-hugging contest to highlight issues like deforestation and mining, etc "that is becoming rampant in our state too", he adds.

As songs like Khynriam u pnar u bhoi u war u dei u paid khasi baiar..., among others play in the background, Monolith will give visitors a chance not just to interact with the Khasis, all dressed in their traditional beautifully woven outfits, but also see and be part of the archery competitions, music and dance, theatre and fashion shows that are the other attractions of the festival.

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