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Source: RealBharat

Context

The Meghalaya High Court recently accepted a PIL that could determine the fate of hundreds of tribal certificate applications from the Khasi community, following a government decision that effectively halted the issuance of ST certificates to certain categories of applicants.

Who are the Khasi people?

• They are an indigenous tribe that primarily inhabits the Khasi and Jaintia hills of Meghalaya.
• This tribe has small populations in the Indian state of Assam as well as in the neighboring country of Bangladesh.
• They are considered one of the region's earliest ethnic groups, having migrated to the northeastern hills from Tibet or Burma around 500 B.C.
• Their clans include Lyngdoh, Diengdoh, Marbaniang, Shiemliah, Lapang, and Songkali.

Origin of Khasi People

• The Khasi tribe descended from a mythical ancestor known as Ki Hynniew Trep, who was thought to be God's first creation.
• According to oral tradition, Ki Hynniew Trep and his seven sons migrated from a place called Khynriam Ka Briew Ka Bneng, which translates as the Golden Vine Bridge in Heaven, to various parts of the Khasi Hills.
• Khynriam, Pnar, Bhoi, War, Maram, Lyngngam, and Diko are the seven clans of the Khasi tribe, descended from the seven sons.

Language of the Khasi People

• The Khasi language, known as "Khasi," is an essential component of their identity.
• While English and Hindi are also spoken, Khasi is the primary language used for daily communication in the community.

Religion

• The vast majority of Khasis are Christians, but there are also Hindus and Muslims among them.

Livelihood

• Cultivation has been their primary source of livelihood for generations.
• However, today's Khasi youth are successful doctors, engineers, businessmen and women, teachers, and so on.

Source: India Today