LAND:
Meghalaya was inaugurated as an autonomous state on April 2,1970. It was declared as a state of the Indian Union on January 21, 1972. Meghalaya is situated in the north-eastern region of India, between the Brahmaputra valley in the north and the Bangladesh in the south.

The state of Meghalaya (the abode of clouds) is geographically known as the "Meghalaya Plateau" or the "Shillong Plateau". The area is made of the oldest rock-formations. Meghalaya consists of the Garo, Khasi and Jaintia hills along with their outliers formed by the Assam ranges. It is the detached north-eastern extension of the Peninsular India. Part of it lies buried under the alluvium deposited by the Ganga-Brahmaputra system of rivers. This gap is known as Malda gap (between Raj Mahal hills/Chhota Nagpur and the Shillong Plateau).

Meghalaya Plateau's elevation varies between 150 meters to 1961 meters above sea level. The Plateau is highly dissected and has irregular terrain in the western and northern side. The southern side is marked by a continuous escarpment with steep slopes. The broken hills and ranges in the north are not of a well defined boundary.

The western part of the plateau or the Garo hills has an elevation of 600m above sea level. The most important relief feature of this part of the plateau is the Tura range with its highest point at Nokrek 1515 meters above sea level. The central and the eastern part of the plateau or the Khasi and the Jaintia hills district play prominent senile topography. This part of the plateau is characterised by the presence of many peneplained surfaces, flat-topped hills and numerous river valleys. The central upland zone is the most important relief feature of the area and covers more than one-third of the area, east of the Garo hills. The highest point of this part of this plateau and that of the entire state is the Shillong peak whose elevation is about 1965m above sea level.

In the Garo hills, the important rivers of the northern system from west to east are the Kalu, Ringgi, Chagua, Ajagar, Didram, Krishnai and Dudnai. Of these only the Krishnai and Kalu are navigable. The important rivers of the southern system are Daring, Sanda, Bandra, Bhogai, Dareng and Simsang. Simsang is the largest river in the Garo hills and navigable only for about 30 Km . Other navigable rivers are Nitai and the Bhupai.

In the central and eastern section of the plateau the important northward flowing rivers are Umkhri, Digaru and Umiam and the south-flowing rivers are Kynchiang (Jadukata), Mawpa, Umiew or Barapani, Myngot and Myntdu.

HISTORY

Meghalaya is the home of the Tribals especially the Khasis, Jaintias, Mikirs and Cacharis, who are said to have inhabited this region before the start of the Christian era. These tribes evolved out of the migration into north east by the migrants who belonged to the Indo-Chinese linguistic family, the Mon-Khmer and Tibeto-Burman. The Khasis came from the Khasis and Jaintias. The Tibeto-Burman sub-family were the Naga, Kukichin and Bodo. The Bodos were later divided into small linguistic groups such as Garo, Kachari, Mechs, Dimasa, Tippea, Lalung, Rabha, Chutiyas. The British occupied the Garo Hills in 1872. The tribal district council was established. The tradition among the tribals was kingship. The earliest Jaintia Raja is said to have ruled from 1500AD. They were influenced by the Hindu culture. The British influence in Meghalaya extended to the improvement of the landscape, development of roads. The works for progress and development of this region is still continuing after independence and formation of Meghalaya into a state.

THE PEOPLE

Meghalaya is dominated by three principal groups of people. The Garo in the east and west Garo hills, the Khasi-Pnar in the east and west Khasi hills and the Jaintia hills. They follow primarily a matrilineal system. The Khasi group belongs to the Mon-Khemar sub-family of the Austro group of people. The Garo group is a part of the greater Bodo Kacheri family both by ethnic group and language. Their present location enabled them to maintain many of their traits and characteristics.

The Khasi-Pnar group indicated two prominent sub-groups of the Khasi and the Pnar. The former occupied the central highlands or the Khasi hills and the latter towards east, the Jaintia hills. The groups living in the northern and southern part of the main central highland, section were known by the terms of 'The Bhoi and War'. They are divided into number of clans and are essentially differentiated from each other by their location and function they perform.

Within the four districts of the combined Khasi and Jaintia hills there are number of dialects. Based on the dialects, the community is generally divided into five groups namely the Khasis of the central plateau, the Pnars or Jaintia in the east, the Wars in the south, the Lyngams in the west and the Bhois in the north.

The Meghalaya plateau is inhabited by three dominant tribes. These are:

The Garos in the western section of the plateau

The Khasis in the central section of the plateau

The Jaintia in the eastern section of the plateau

Garos

The Garos call themselves Achiks. 'Garo' is believed to have been derived from the name of one section of the tribe who are found in a compact area in the middle of the districts southern belt. The Garo tradition speaks of their migration from Tibet.

In course of time, the Garos society was divided into three major exogamous, 'Kin-groups' or Katchis, namely Marak, Sangma and Momin. These are further sub-divided into such groups as Areng, Shirra and Ebang.

Marriage between members of the same Katchi is totally prohibited by tribal law. Each of these Kin-groups is further sub-divided into a number of lineages called Machong. The Machong with its component households is the basic unit in the Garo social organization. A Garo belong to his particular Machong from his birth. In each village, the dominant Machong selects the headman who is Nok-ma literally means house-mother. Usually Nok-ma would be a man.

Inheritance among the Garos is restricted to the female line. Each family selects an heiress (nok-ma). A couple with no children may adopt the daughter of the wife's sister as heiress. The heiress is usually linked in marriage with the son of the father's sister.

The institution of the 'Bachelors Dormitory' (Nok-pante) is found only among the Garos. All unmarried young men and growing boys must live in the dormitory. These young people carry out allotted tasks entrusted to them by the village elders.

The Garo tribal groups consists of sub-tribes . They are

(a) Ambeng (in the western part including Tura)

(b) Atong (in the lower Simsang valley)

(c) Akawa (north-eastern parts and extend upto Goalpara and Kamrup in Assam)

(d) Matchi (upper reaches of Simsang valley)

(e) Chibok (upper Bhugi valley)

(f) Ruga (lower Bhugi valley)

(g) Dual (upper Simsang valley)

(h) Chisak (north of Matchi and Dual in central highlands)

(j) Kotchu (eastern parts)

(k) Koch (south-western parts)

Besides these, there are others like Megamo in the mid-western parts and the Dikos.

A very important festival among the Garos is the Wangala- a harvest festival held in honour of Saljong, the Sun-god of fertility. This marks the end of a period of toil, which brings good yield of the fields. It is the time to relax and for days the hills and valleys resound with the distinctive beat of drums. The dance itself has certain subtle variations, the main motif being a queue of two parallel lines- one of men and other of women clad in their festive regalia. Young and and old join the festivities with equal gaiety. While the men beat drums, the line moves forward in rhythmic unison. The 'orchestra' of men consists of drums, gong and flutes punctuated by the sonorous music of an indigenous flute made of buffalo horn. There is a noticeable sense of rhythm in the participants, young and old, and the vigorous dance leaves a lasting impression upon the beholder.

The Khasis and Pnars have religious festivals as well as secular celebrations. A very important and elaborate festival among the Khasis is the Shad Nongkrem (Nongkrem dance) held annually at Smit, the capital of the Khyrem Syiemship near Shillong. This is used to be held in the past in the month of May but for some years the date has been shifted to November. An important part of this festival is Pomblang (decapitation of goats), at which goats offered by subjects of the Syiem of Khyrem are sacrificed and offerings are made to the ancestor and ancestress of the ruling clan to the first uncle to the deity of Shillong peak. Religious part of the festival precedes dances, in which unmarried girls in all their finery participate. The men's dancing is naturally more vigorous and energetic. They hold a sword in their right hand and usually a white Yak hair whisk in their left hand, keeping time to the changing beats of drums and playing of the tangmuri or pipes.

A counterpart of the Garo harvest festival is the Shad Suk Mynsiem or the 'dance of Contentment' celebrated in April at the Wecking grounds near Shillong and at other places.

Among the Pnars, the most celebrated religious festival is the Beh-dien-Khlam. (chasing away the Demon of Cholera). Early on the first day, young men go round the village beating on gate post of individual houses. The climax of the celebration is the tussle for a large undressed beam by two groups of people in opposition to each other. This involves getting this heavy beam across a muddy ditch called Wah-eit-nar. A lot of horse play enters into this part of the proceedings when mud is generously smeared by the participants on each other. This celebration held at Jowai is one of the most well known festival in Meghalaya.

ECONOMY
AGRICULTURE

Of the total area 10% is used for cultivation. The important crops of the state are potato, rice, maize, pineapple, banana etc.

Rice is the main crop . Other crops include jute, ginger, mustard, sugarcane, chilli etc. These crops are produced in substantial quantities and are being marketed in adjoining states. Meghalaya is important for fruit cultivation. Fruits include pineapples, oranges, bananas etc.

The irrigation potential is much larger than the achievement. Only about 18% of the ultimate capacity for providing water to the land is being used.

TOURISM

The 'abode of the clouds' is the appropriate meaning of the 'Meghalaya'. It is a compact and isolated state, lying on the northern border of Assam.

SHILLONG
Shillong the capital, is a popular hill station, has a famous 18 hole golf course and a polo ground. Lakes and water falls are other attractions of this town.

Ward's lake, east of Police Bazar is an attractive place with facilities for boating. Umiam lake, 16 kilometers from Shillong is popular for fishing and boating.

There are several falls around Shillong. The nearest are the Beadon falls and Bishop's falls. Elephant falls, 12 kilometres away on the Shillong -Cherrapunji road, is a scenic spot with two high falls surrounded by fern covered rocks. Observation sheds are provided to get a good view. Best time to visit - June to October (rainy Season) Other falls are the Spread Eagle falls beyond the old polo ground and Sweet falls beyond happy valley.

The Shillong peak which is highest in the state is good for trekking. It is known as the 'abode of the gods' and has excellent views. The Kyllang rock, beyond Mairang off the Shillong - Nongstoin Road is a massive block of granite that rises to some 220 metres. The top offers a grand view of the valleys to the north especially during winter months. Near Mawsmai, there is a complete view of the high falls, Noh-sngi-thiang across a wide gorge.

THE BUTTERFLY MUSEUM

It is at Wankhar and Co, Raiatsamthiah. Visit : 1000 -1600. It has a good display of mounted butterflies and beetles from India and abroad. The butterflies are breeded here as a conservatory measure.

THE CENTRAL MUSEUM

It is at Lachumiere, Visit : 100 - 1600, Monday to Saturday except 2nd Saturday and all Government holidays. Entry - free. It has ethnographic and archaeological objects.

The tribal Research Institute, Mawali has indigenous specimens and articles of the tribal people. It opens from 1000 to 1600, Monday to Saturday. Entry - free.