Northeast India · State
Meghalaya
Among the wettest inhabited places on earth, with living root bridges, limestone caves and the matrilineal Khasi, Garo and Jaintia communities.
- Capital
- Shillong
- Languages
- English (official); Khasi; Garo; Pnar — major and official languages, not an exclusive list.
Cultural traditions, arts & crafts
- • Living root bridges trained from rubber-fig roots over generations
- • Khasi and Garo bamboo craft and cane weaving
- • Nongkrem and Wangala dance traditions
- • Matrilineal inheritance customs among Khasi and Garo communities
Major festivals
- Shad Suk Mynsiem — April (dates vary — verify current dates)
- Wangala (Garo) — November (dates vary — verify current dates)
- Nongkrem Dance — November (dates vary — verify current dates)
Traditional dress & textiles
Dress varies by community, district, occasion and generation; everyday clothing today is often contemporary. These are representative traditions rather than a single state costume.
- • Khasi women wear the jainsem, a layered drape pinned at the shoulders; the dhara is worn at ceremonies
- • Garo women wear the dakmanda wrap, often with woven borders
- • Men wear a jymphong jacket with a turban for ceremonial occasions
Where to go
Show Meghalaya on the explore mapSources & verify
- Meghalaya Tourism (official)
- Know India — States & UTs (Government of India)
- Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles
Last reviewed: August 2026. Cultural traditions in India vary by community, district, occasion and generation. The notes below are representative examples reviewed against government sources, not exhaustive or official definitions. Festival timings follow lunar or locally announced calendars — verify current dates with the relevant state tourism department before travelling.