Shillong has a blend of cultures, as its populace comprises of the three major tribes and other communities too. A large percentage of the population of Shillong belongs to the Khasi tribe.
As a tribe, culturally there is a distinctive difference with other tribes of the world.
As a gesture of friendship, a Khasi would offer you "Kwai" or betel nut. This is eaten by the young and old, rich and poor and can be said to be an equalizer. Culturally, rice beer is served when one visits any family but with the European influence this rice beer has been substituted with tea.
A Khasi woman usually wears a "jainsem" - two pieces of material pinned at the shoulder and a "tapmohkhlieh" or shawl. Earlier men wore dhotis, a half coat and a turban but this attire has taken a change to the English attire - trousers and blazer or shirt.
The Khasi tribe comprises of the various clans comprising of various families sharing the same family name or a group of family names bonded together as a clan. The concept of bonding of clans is to knit families together and to avoid incest. The children take the mother's family name and clan. The father's clan is much respected as they are said to have given life but the children do not take his family's name.
The clan also owns clan land - tracks of land under its management which are given to individuals of the clan for either cultivation or building homes. An interesting point to be noted is the land ownership pattern, which is mainly with the people, be it individual, clan or community.
The Khasi society is also known as a matrilineal and patriarchal society. This is because the lineage of the family is traced through the mother while the eldest brother has a say in most of the family decisions.
After marriage it is the groom who comes and stays at the brides home and after three
