The Indian state of Meghalaya is home to some of the earliest ethnic settlers to inhabit the subcontinent. Known as the Khasi tribe, they trace their origins back to the Proto-Austroloid Mon Khmer race. Distinct in appearance and living habits, Khasi society is both matrilineal and matriarchal. Rice is a food staple and authentic Khasi cuisine has a plethora of unique ways of cooking meats that include pork and fish. Like other tribes ethnic to this region, Khasis also make beer from rice and millet through fermentation and distillation. Jymphong, the traditional Khasi attire for men consists of a longish sleeveless coat without a collar, fastened in the front by thongs. On ceremonial occasions, the ensemble is completed with a sarong-style Dhoti worn with an ornamental waist-band. Present day Khasi women still wear their traditional costume called the Jainsem. Created by knotting or fastening two pieces of fabric at the shoulders to create a long drapey garment, it is often embellished by hand. On ceremonial occasions, they wear a crown of silver or gold. A peak or spike is fixed to the back of the crown, corresponding to the feathers worn by the menfolk of the tribe.
Meghalaya translates as 'the abode of the clouds' in Sanskrit. The little town of Cherrapunji in the Indian state Meghalaya receives the maximum rainfall recorded in the world. Cultivators and farm hands in these parts rely on the knup or rain shield while working on steep agricultural slopes, characteristic of this region. The knup is shaped like a shallow cone and looks like an inverted teardrop when worn. Handwoven as a hexagonal pattern in two layers with locally available bamboo known as shken in the tribal dialect khasi and dried palm leaves called shlew; Knups are handmade by women and sold in local weekly markets. Farmers working under them make for an image that embodies the agricultural landscape of this part of India.
