Cultural activities

                    Khasi society has greatly been transformed by many factors which have arisen in recent times.  Adoption of the Western style of life, especially among the literate and  educated,  have  been  quite  rapid  although  the matrilineal  laws  of  inheritance  and  succession and the other cultural traits are still retained.

                                          

 

Riches of Cultural  Heritages
 

The   social  and  cultural  events  of  West  Khasi hills district is similar to that of East Khasi Hills.  Except  for    seasonal celebration  in the  village  where song and dance are held, there is no district festival   worth mentioning.    The    dances  of  significance   with  a distinctive  style  are  the " Lyngngam dance" where men in dhoti and turban and women in sarong type of clothing  dance to the beat of different  drums (Ksing) and Flute (Besli), the Shad Kiew Iing, Shad Mastieh & the Shad SukMynsiem.

 

 

 In respect of dress, a skirt, either of cotton or end type, is  used by  womenfolk  over  which  an  apron (kyrshah) is suspended from the left shoulder and loops down to the legs.  In outdoor use, however, a (jainsem)  mostly nylon made, is suspended from both the shoulders looping down below  the knee.  A head cover (Tapmohkhlieh) is fastened  behind  the  neck  and loops down to cover the upper part of the body.  

Among  men's  dress, the traditional sleeveless coat, waist girdle and dhoti with turban or woolen head gear have been abandoned by  most  males. Instead,   modern  dress  with  pant,  shirt  and  coat or jacket have been adopted.  However, most males still use the  wrapper  (Ryndia  Tlem)  over their coats, during the cold season.  

 

 

Archery  is  the most popular traditional sport in rural parts of the district while among modern games, football, basketball and badminton have caught on with the majority of the young people.  Hunting and fishing   are the  seasonal  sports  which engage people as recreational activities, and community hunting  by  using  tracking  dogs  is  still  being  practised. Another  recreation  activity  is  the bull fight which is being organised  occasionally for gambling and betting.
 

 

       Music occupies a central position in the cultural life of the people, especially the   youth.    Indigenous  instruments  such  as  the "duitara"  (4-stringed instrument), "besli" (flute), "nakra" and "bom"  (percussions) are still in use.  The district boasts of a number of composers, radio and stage artistes.    With  the advent of Christianity, about a century and a half ago, music forms an integral part of worship for both young and  old. Apart from being gifted singers, they have further attained proficiency in reading staff and tonic solfa notations.
 

 

Another  significant   social  factor  is  the  institution   of  an "8  days-a-week" market system which is still being adopted in  the  district. The   distinct characteristic of these markets, commonly known as "Iew", is   that they serve not only as places  for  trading  activites  but  also  as rendezvous  for   socialisation, business transaction and other festivities like holding of fetes, fairs, sports and games, etc.   These  markets  are held after every eight days in different places on different days.