A village in Meghalaya where people never call names but whistle tunes. Discover Kongthong’s musical identity tradition, Khasi culture, food, and matrilineal way of life.
Kongthong is home to the Khasi community, an indigenous group living across the Khasi and Jaintia Hills. They trace their roots to Southeast Asia and speak the Khasi language. The society is divided into clans and is deeply connected to nature and tradition. (Image-Getty Images)The Khasi follow a rare matrilineal system where lineage and property pass through women. The youngest daughter typically inherits ancestral property, and Khasi women enjoy a high social status, playing central roles in family, economy, and community decision-making, which is an exception in many patriarchal societies. (Image-Getty Images)Khasi cuisine is simple, earthy, and meat-centric, with rice and pork as staples. Vegetarian food is rare in daily meals. Cooking focuses on natural flavours, minimal oil, and local ingredients, offering a distinct taste that reflects the hills and the lifestyle of the people. (Image-India Food Network)Iconic dishes include Jadoh (rice cooked with pork and spices), Dohkhlieh (pork salad), Pumaloi (steamed rice cake with coconut), and Pukhlein (rice and jaggery dessert). Each dish reveals a story of tradition, community, and comfort food from Meghalaya. (Image-Untold Delicacy)
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Hidden in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills, Kongthong is crowned as the “Whistling Village of India.” Here, people never call each other by name; instead, they prefer musical tones that echo across hills and valleys. This way of calling turns everyday conversation into a melody, making the village one of the most unique cultural spaces in India. (Image-Canva)