Meghalaya with its pine-clad hills beautiful
lakes and a waterfall has often been dubbed the Scotland of the
East. Created in 1972 Meghalaya (the Abode of Clouds) is the home of
the Khasi Jaintia and Garo tribes people noted for their matrilineal
society passing down wealth and property through the female line
with youngest daughter taking the responsibility of caring for the
parents. The gently rolling hills of Meghalaya are noted for growing
fruit and betel nut which locals enjoy immensely. The state-and in
particular its capital Shillong- is one of the wettest places on
earth. Compact and isolated Meghalaya’s rolling plateau lies in a
severe earthquake belt. The entire town of shillong was destroyed in
an earthquake in 1896.
The Garos were originally from Tibet and once practiced human
sacrifice. Khasi and Jaintias trace their origins to the Ri Hinniew
Trep (seven families) and are known as Hyniewtrep. Shillong was a
favourite retreat of the British tea planters and administrators.
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