Khasi

ethnic group


group=Khasi
poptime=approx. 1,361,100
popplace=Meghalaya (India): 1,250,000
Assam (India): 29,000
West Bengal, Mizoram, Maharashtra, Tripura, Tamil Nadu, Arunachal Pradesh, Nicobar Islands (India): 3,100
Bangladesh: 79,000 [http://www.joshuaproject.net/peopctry.php?rop3=104918&rog3=BG Joshua Project - Khasi of Bangladesh Ethnic People Profile] ]
langs=Khasian languages
rels=Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, Hindu or Tribals with animistic elements
related= Khmers, Palaungs, Was, Kinh, Nicobarese and other Mon-Khmers

The Khasi are a tribe in Meghalaya, India and in parts of Bangladesh, who call themselves Hynniew trep (which means "the seven huts" in the Khasi language). Their language is also called Khasi, which was mostly oral until the arrival of the Welsh missionary Thomas Jones, who transcribed the Khasi language into the Roman Script. They comprise almost fifty percent of the population of Meghalaya, the remainder of whom are mostly Garo. Most Khasi are Presbyterian, Anglican, Roman Catholic, or followers of the original Khasi religion Ka Niam Tynrai, although there is a tiny Unitarian presence, as well. Some Khasi reside in the hilly areas of Sylhet, Bangladesh. The Khasi tribes are usually dependent upon "jhoom" cultivation in which the vegetation is left to grow totally under the care of nature. In Bangladesh, one of the main products produced by the Khasi using "jhoom" cultivation is betel leaf.

Residences

The Khasis mainly reside in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills in the state of Meghalaya. The Khasis inhabit the Khasi Hills proper, and the Syntengs, or Pnars, the JaintiaHills. The Lynngams inhabit the western portion of the Khasi Hillsproper. The people known as Bhois live in the low hills to the north and north-east of thedistrict. The Wars inhabit the precipitous slopes and deep valleys to the south of the district. [http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/12786 The Khasis] — Peter Gurdon]

Physical variation

Khasi from different regions have small, but noted differences. They are descendants of Mon-Khmer speakers who migrated probably from Yunnan to Meghalaya, and thus they are of East Asian origin. Most Khasi have brown to light yellow skin, epicanthic folds, high nasal bridges and aquiline noses, but it is not uncommon for a group of Khasi to have looks ranging from those of typical East Asians to those of typical Central Asians or Persians.

Dress

The traditional Khasi male dress is Jymphong or a longish sleeveless coat without collar, fastened by thongs in front. Now, the Khasis have adopted the western dress. On ceremonial occasions, they appear in ‘Jymphong’ and dhoti with an ornamental waist-band.

The Khasi traditional female dress is called a jainsem or a dhara, which are rather elaborate with several pieces of cloth, giving the body a cylindrical shape. On ceremonial occasions, they wear a crown of silver or gold on the head. A spike or peak is fixed to the back of the crown, corresponding to the feathers worn by the menfolk. The Jainsem consists of two pieces of material fastened at each shoulder. The Dhara consists of a single piece of material also fastened at each shoulder.

Social structure

The Khasis have a matrilineal and Matriarchal society. cite book
first = Seema
last = Hussain
year = 1999
title = The Week, India
publisher = The Week, India
pages = 181] cite book
first = Syed
last = Ahmed
year = 1994
title = What do men want
publisher = New York Times
pages = 5] Descent is traced through the mother, but the father plays an important role in the material, mental life of the family and social welfare. According to Khasi laws, a woman cannot be forced into marriage, she owns the children and properties. In Khasi tradition, the youngest daughter will also inherit the property. A woman may end a marriage at her will with no objection from her husband. The Khasi have an unusual dedication toward matrilineal customs, most notably similar to the Minangkabaus. Khasis are also fond of dancing and singing.

References

See also

* Mon-Khmer
* Khasi Pine

External links

* [http://khasi.ws The Khasi Project]
* [http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/12786 The Khasis] by Gurdon, P. R. T.
* [http://meghalaya.nic.in/culture/people.htm Government of Meghalaya] Portal