|
Meghalaya
is
inhabited
by
three
tribal
groups
namely
the
Khasis,
the
Jaintias
and
the
Garos.
The
Khasis
reside
in
the
centre
of
the
State,
the
Jaintias
in
the
east
and
Garos
in
the
west.
Khasis,
Jaintias,
Bhois,
Wars
collectively
known
as
the
Hynniewtrep
people
are
of
Austro
Monkhmer
race
and
Garos
who
prefer
to
call
themselves
as
Achiks
are
of
the
Tibeto-Burman
race.
All
the
three
tribes
follow
the
matrilineal
system
of
society
where
the
lineage
and
ancestral
property
pass
down
from
mother
to
daughter.
According
to
scholars,
the
Hynniewtrep(seven
huts)people
are
known
to
be
the
earliest
settlers
in
the
undivided
state
of
Assam
and
one
of
the
earliest
ethnic
group
of
settlers
in
the
Indian
sub-continent. |
|
FLORA
AND
FAUNA
Meghalaya
is
endowed
with
a
rich
variety
of
flora
and
fauna.
Of
about
17,000
species
of
orchids
in
the
world,
around
300
varieties
are
found
in
Meghalaya.
A
botanical
wonder,
Pitcher
plant,
an
insect
eating
plant
is
found
in
the
districts
of
Jaintia
Hills,
West
Khasi
Hills
and
South
Garo
Hills
of
the
State.
Animals
and
birds
that
are
found
in
the
state
are
elephants,
tigers,
bears,
jackals,
leopards,
golden
cats,
leopard
cats,
binturong,
slow
loris,
monkeys
including
capped
Langurs,
golden
langurs
etc.
and
the
interesting
birds
include
hornbills,
king
vulture,
crested
serpent
eagle,
partridges,
teals,
snipes,
quails
etc. |
LANGUAGE:
English
is
the
official
language
of
the
State.
However,
the
three
main
languages
spoken
in
the
state
is
Khasi
in
Khasi
Hills,
Pnar
or
Jaintia
in
Jaintia
Hills
and
Garo
in
Garo
Hills.
