Did you know that our Earth is currently in a geological time period called the Meghalayan Age? This age was named after the stalagmite formations found in the Mawmluh cave that carry marks of a severe drought around 2000 BC. Some earth scientists believe that this drought may have contributed to the decline of the Harappan civilization and other Bronze Age civilizations. This research was carried out by the team led by Jessica Oster, assistant professor of earth and environmental sciences at Vanderbilt University....

Living root bridges are suspension bridges made of rubber plant roots, predominantly found in the dense tropical rainforests of Meghalaya. The bridge ranges in length from 15 to 250 feet and is grown by the Khasis over a period of 15 to 30 years. It can last for several centuries. It was first built by Khasi ancestors a couple of hundred years ago, using only locally available materials, skills, and tools at a time when concrete and steel had not yet been discovered....

Khasis are known to have a very close affinity towards nature. They consider forests as an abode of gods, a game sanctuary, and a beloved home all rolled into one. In the words of H.O. Mawrie, ‘U khasi U im bad ka mariang, bd ka mariang ka im bad U’, which translates to ‘A Khasi lives with nature and nature lives with Khasi’. In the local parlance, land is referred to as ‘Ri’ and is considered a ‘Gift of nature’ bestowed upon the Khasis community, of which Sacred Groves hold a specific mention in their religion and way of life....

The term “Khasis” holds a profound meaning, as it signifies “born of the mother”. The word “Kha” denotes “born of”, while “si” represents “ancient mother”. As the Khasis lack a written history unlike the Ahoms of Assam, their past is primarily based on traditional oral narratives that have been passed down through generations. One prevalent belief among the older Khasis is that their ancestors migrated from Burma via the Patkai Range into Assam, a notion supported by similarities between Khasi culture and that of the Mon-Khmer people of Cambodia....

Nongriat village, en route to the double-decker living root bridge. Picture credit: @aryan Ever since last year I stumbled upon a reference to the Meghalayan Age in the book ‘Land of Seven Rivers’ by Sanjeev Sanyal. The stalagmite formations in the Mawmluh cave, carrying marks of a drought around 2000 BC, which may have contributed to the decline of the Harappan civilization, stirring my curiosity. Captivated by the rich history and culture of the Khasi people, I was eager to explore their land....