CULTURE OF CHERRAPUNJI



The northeastern Indian state of Meghalaya contains the little town of Cherrapunji. The state capital of Shillong is 54 kilometers to the southwest of this location. The town is located in the East Khasi hills, high on the Shillong plateau. The state government has changed the name of Cherrapunji back to its original name of "Sohra." The British called it "churra," and later the name Cherrapunji, which means "land of oranges" and was in fact initially used by tourists from other regions of India, developed from this. Cherrapunji has a diverse and vibrant culture.

Meghalaya as a whole has 3 tribal groups in total: the Jaintias, the Khasis, and the Garos. In the state, the Jaintias, Khasis, and Garos inhabit primarily in the Eastern, Central, and Western portions, respectively. The Khasis and Jaintias, collectively known as HynniewTrep, are of Austro-Mon-Khmer ancestry and a
re thought to have migrated from the Cambodia-Laos region. They are one of the earliest ethnic groups in the Indian Subcontinent and one of the oldest occupants of undivided Assam. The epithet HynniewTrep itself refers to a number of sub-tribes that are marginally different from one another in terms of linguistics, geography, and culture. The standard spoken and written Khasi, however, serve as a unifying thread. The Khasi language lacked a native script. The Roman script was originally used in 1842 by Rev. Thomas Jones, the very first Welsh missionary among the Khasis, and is still in use today. Since the first missionaries founded their 1st mission at Cherrapunji, the Sohra (Cherrapunji) dialect has evolved into the literary form of Khasi throughout Khasi territory. Despite the fact that the written language is only about 175 years old, it has a rich oral tradition in which myths that are transmitted from one generation to the following often include elements of history, philosophy, culture, and religion.


A very interesting feature about the Jaintias, located at the eastern side where Cherrapunji is also located, is that they have a matrilineal lineage. It is claimed to be one of the world's largest surviving matrilineal tribes. The children in this social structure adopt their mother's last name instead of their father's. Particularly if the bride is the last daughter, the groom moves in with his bride after the wedding. The youngest daughter will be in charge of caring for the parents when they get older. The youngest daughter inherits the family's property in the Khasi culture, however, in the War-Khasi culture, the children are all given an equal share. Many Khasi men feel quite helpless and useless because they lack property, have little security, and aren't involved in the family business. Thus, many become alcoholics and pass away at an early age. This arrangement may have been instituted because of the Khasi people's lengthy history of warfare with surrounding tribes, during which the males were frequently absent from the settlement for protracted periods of time. As a result, the women's role in raising the family became crucial. Khasi women do not, in fact, govern the society; in plain words, it is not a matriarchal society. Due to their underrepresentation in the village council and panchayats, their political influence is constrained.

'Niam Tynrai'/'Niam Tre' is the name of the Khasis' traditional religion. The Khasi clan or Kur assert that One God/Creator is the foundation of their religion (U Nongbuh Nongthaw). Here, the ancestral uncle (u Suidnia) and the ancestral mother (ka Iawbei) of the clan or Kur serve as a mediator between the living Kur members and God. There are no established venues of worship, and each clan practices rukom (religious rites) differently. Kñi, the oldest maternal uncle, serves as the family's priest and conducts religious rites. The fundamental principles of this faith are:

1. Tip Briew, Tip Blei (Know man, Know God)

2. Tip Kur, Tip Kha (Know your Maternal & Paternal relations)

3. Hok Kamai I (Earn Righteousness)

However, a large portion of the state's population has accepted Christianity, with an estimated 85% of the population being Christians. Only 15% of people identify as being from the Niam group, culture, or region. No one would be baptized by Reverend Thomas Jones. They assert that he instead taught the natives how to make alcohol, use a saw, and purify lime. He thereafter became interested in protecting the Khasis against East India Company's exploitation. The church expelled him, and his missionary license was revoked. Jones, who had been expelled from the Khasi-Jaintias hills, died in solitude in Calcutta. The faith TJ conveyed would nativize itself and spread over northeastern India. But not without local difficulties and alterations. The tiny indigenous inhabitants of the north-east, where Christianity dominates their religious landscape, find mainland India to be an increasingly distant place. A place where Rev. Jones can once more be chased by the rulers.

The Khasi monoliths, which are horizontal stones on supports and vertical standing stones (menhirs) erected by the Khasi people in memory of deceased clan members or of those who have died valiantly in battle, are noteworthy monuments that can be found all along the length and breadth of the Khasi and Jaintia hills. Standing stones that are upright indicate men, whereas those that are horizontal represent women. On the approach to Mawsmai cave, one such collection of monoliths can be seen at the side of the road. However, Nartiang, which is roughly 100 kilometres to the northeast and is located in the Jaintia highlands, has the largest and most magnificent collection of these monoliths.

In order to operate outside in Cherrapunji's wet climate, the locals use an amusing-looking umbrella style called a knup, which is constructed by encasing 2 layers of palm leaves between two loosely woven bamboo lattices.


SALONEE JADHAV ; DIVISION C ; 2531

REFERENCES:

https://cherrapunji.com/people/#:~:text=It%20is%20said%20to%20be,bride%20is%20the%20last%20daughter.

https://www.twobirdsbreakingfree.com/ultimate-guide-to-cherrapunji

https://frontline.thehindu.com/other/postcards-from-khasi-hills-how-the-people-made-christianity-their-own/article65545031.ece


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

FOOD AND DELICACIES OF MAWLYNNONG AND DAWKI

Image
Mawlynnong residents eat fairly simple foods. One chicken dish served with rice, one potato dish, vegetable, dal, roti, and chutney make up the menu, which is quite basic. They even serve traditional tribal cuisines and South-East Asian cuisine. Agriculture is the mainstay and besides paddy, the locals also cultivate cash crops including bay leaves, betel nuts, and local spices. Additionally, they grow fruits including oranges, papayas, and pineapples, which are frequently sold in Shillong and Bangladeshi border areas. Their main staple foods are rice and fish, both of which are abundant in the nearby bodies of water. A must-try in Mawlynnong is its local cuisine. The fact that the food there is made using organic vegetables that are grown locally is its best part. Even the meat used in the meals is derived from in-house bred birds and animals. Delicious delicacies from traditional cuisine include Tungrymbai, a decadent mixture of fermented soybeans, bamboo leaves, and local spices; po...
Read more

BIODIVERSITY OF CHERRAPUNJI

Image
Cherrapunji is a pristine beauty in the vast North East India region of Meghalaya. Cherrapunji once considered the wettest region in the country, still has the highest recorded rainfall in a calendar year. The misty mountains, enthralling waterfalls, and, of course, the cool, unique climate make it a must-see destination in Meghalaya. It is the lush green beauty that you see while passing by the hilly roads, the gentle breeze that plays with your hair, Cherrapunji is all about that, the little things that draw us into its mesmerizing miracle. Cherrapunji and its surroundings, with their amazing terrain, mesmerizing clouds, and scores of frothing waterfalls leaping from lofty mountains down precipitous gorges thickly covered in tropical rain forests and lush green grasslands, have enthralled many a nature enthusiasts of all ages over the centuries. When the surrounding plains simmered in the summer heat, the climate in these hills was pleasant. Shillong and Cherrapunji provided welcome ...
Read more

BIODIVERSITY OF MAWLYNNONG AND DAWKI

Image
We've already learned about Mawlynnong's culture and food, so let's look at its biodiversity. Mawlynnong is a village in the Meghalaya state of North East India's East Khasi Hills district. It is notable for its cleanliness and was named Asia's cleanest village by Discover India magazine. The town of Mawlynnong is well-known for its cleanliness. The waste is collected in bamboo dustbins, directed to a pit, and then used as manure. A community initiative requires all residents to participate in village cleanup. Tobacco use and the use of polythene are prohibited, while rainwater harvesting is encouraged. Weather Of Mawlynnong Mawlynnong is one of the wettest places in the country, and while much of India is experiencing drought-like conditions this year, the southwestern monsoon has not let the northeast down. Throughout the year, Mawlynnong has a pleasant climate. Summers in the region (March to June) are pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 24°C. Heavy ...
Read more