KHASI TRIBES

Introduction:

Khasi tribe is mainly found in state of Assam ad the Khasi-Jayantiya hills in Meghalaya and in the states of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Manipur, West Bengal and Jammu & Kashmir. They calledby different name such as Khasi Rahris, Khuchia, Kassi, Khashi and Khasa. Khasi forms the large part of the population in the state of Meghalaya.

History of Khasi:

Khasis were earliest immigrant tribes who came from Myanmar and settled down in the plains of east Assam. Earlier the Khasis has their own kingdom until the British colonialism starts in North eastern India. The word Khasi is found in Shankardeva's "Bhagawat Puran" an Indo -Aryan Literature.

Khasi call themselves ' Ki Hynniew Trep', which means ' The Seven Huts' in Khasi language. Khasi is the Northern most Austroasiatic language. Khasi use Roman scripts. 

Originally Khasi people follow their tribal religion, called " ka Niam Khasi" or " Ka Niam Tre". Peter Wilhem Schmidt believed that the Khasi people are related to the Mon - Khmer people. 

According to Khasi mythology  "Blei" (God) had originally distributed the human beings to 16 heavenly families ( Khadhynriew Trep). Seven out of the 16  families were stuck on earth while the other 9 are stuck in heaven.

Khasi consist of the four Sub - tribes:

1. Khynriam
2. Pnar or Syntengs
3. Bhoi
4. War

Marriage:

Khasis of Meghalaya follow Matrilineal style of lineage where the follower is traced through the mother and not through the father. In khasi society the youngest daughter gets the whole property. If she dose not have any daughter the property goes back to her sister after her death after whom it is transferred to her daughter Marriage with in the same clan is not allowed.

Khasis are monogamous. Among Khasi marriage is acivil contract. The ceremony consists of a betrothal, the pouring of  a libation to the clan's first maternal ancestor, the taking of food from the same plate, and the taking of the bride to the house of the groom's mother, where a ring is placed on the bride's finger by her mother - in - law. 

Dress:

The traditional Khasi male dress is a "Jymphong", a longish sleevless coat without collar, fastened by thong in front. On ceremonial occassion they appear in a " Jymphong" and "Sarong" with an ornamental waist - band and they may also wear a turban.

The traditional Khasi female dress is called the "Jainsen" or "Dhara", both of which are several piece of cloths. The "Jainsen" consisit of two pieces of material fastened at each shoulder. The " Dhara" consists of a single piece of material fastened at each shoulder.

Festivals:

Shad Suk Mynsiem and Nongkhrem are the major festival celebrated among the Khasi.

• Shad Suk Mynsiem: A thanks giving dance called "Shad Suk Mynsiem" It reflects the 'Matrilineal' and 'Patrilineal' aspects of  Khasi society. The man with whips and sword circles the female dancers as a symbolic presentation of protector of the dignity of women. This festival is celbrated in the month of April and last for three days.
• Ka Pomblang Nongkrem:  This is a pomp and gaiety festival held annually in November at "Smit", the capital of  the "Khyrem Syiemship" near Shillong for thanks giving to the godess "Ka Blei Shynshar" for a rich harvest and prosperity of people. An important part of the festival is goat sacrifice made to deity of  Shillong Peak.