Language Diversity & Folklore
Language and Dialects
English is the official language and is widely spoken in urban centres, while Khasi and Garo are the other main languages. An aspect of Khasi that an English speaker might find fascinating is that its script is based on the alphabet they know, but it has only twenty-three letters. Khasi was an oral language with no script of its own until 1841, when a Welsh missionary named Thomas Jones arrived in Sohra and wrote the alphabet in the Latin script for the first time, modifying it for phonetic accuracy.
English is the official language and is widely spoken in urban centres, while Khasi and Garo are the other main languages. An aspect of Khasi that an English speaker might find fascinating is that its script is based on the alphabet they know, but it has only twenty-three letters. Khasi was an oral language with no script of its own until 1841, when a Welsh missionary named Thomas Jones arrived in Sohra and wrote the alphabet in the Latin script for the first time, modifying it for phonetic accuracy.
Architecture & Heritage
Steeped in indigenous culture and traditional aesthetics, Meghalaya’s architecture and heritage reflect the intimate relationship between communities and their environment. In the Khasi and Jaintia hills, traditional homes were often built using bamboo, wood, and stone, elevated on stilts to withstand heavy rain. Traditionally, the Khasi and Jaintia people embraced their own indigenous architectural style, often utilizing the abundant bamboo and timber found in the Khasi Hills. However, in recent times, most have transitioned to building homes with modern materials like bricks and cement. Sacred groves like Mawphlang preserve ancient rituals and ecological wisdom, while monoliths dot the landscape, commemorating ancestors and marking historical events. The Jaintias are particularly known for their megalithic heritage in Nartiang, where a collection of towering stones forms one of the largest megalithic sites in the region. Their settlements were typically nestled in forested hills, with sacred groves and clan altars reflecting deep spiritual ties to nature and animist beliefs. Garo architecture can be partitioned into nokmong (Main family home) , nokpante (Bachelor dormitory), jamsreng (Field storage hut), and jamatal (small jhum field shelter). The Garo Hills are dotted with sacred sites, including Nokrek Peak and traditional village gates, which serve both spiritual and communal function. Architectural features such as wooden carvings and earth-toned facades also convey spiritual beliefs and communal values. Together, these structures are more than buildings—they are living testaments to tradition, echoing the stories and resilience of Meghalaya’s people.
Steeped in indigenous culture and traditional aesthetics, Meghalaya’s architecture and heritage reflect the intimate relationship between communities and their environment. In the Khasi and Jaintia hills, traditional homes were often built using bamboo, wood, and stone, elevated on stilts to withstand heavy rain. Traditionally, the Khasi and Jaintia people embraced their own indigenous architectural style, often utilizing the abundant bamboo and timber found in the Khasi Hills. However, in recent times, most have transitioned to building homes with modern materials like bricks and cement. Sacred groves like Mawphlang preserve ancient rituals and ecological wisdom, while monoliths dot the landscape, commemorating ancestors and marking historical events. The Jaintias are particularly known for their megalithic heritage in Nartiang, where a collection of towering stones forms one of the largest megalithic sites in the region. Their settlements were typically nestled in forested hills, with sacred groves and clan altars reflecting deep spiritual ties to nature and animist beliefs. Garo architecture can be partitioned into nokmong (Main family home) , nokpante (Bachelor dormitory), jamsreng (Field storage hut), and jamatal (small jhum field shelter). The Garo Hills are dotted with sacred sites, including Nokrek Peak and traditional village gates, which serve both spiritual and communal function. Architectural features such as wooden carvings and earth-toned facades also convey spiritual beliefs and communal values. Together, these structures are more than buildings—they are living testaments to tradition, echoing the stories and resilience of Meghalaya’s people.