An abode for them clouds is what Meghalaya is, a state situated in the north-east corner of India, this region is widely recognized for its khasi textiles, weaving tribal jewelry, along with other forms of arts and crafts which have been handed down from generations of tradition.
- Tribal and Gemstone Jewellery
Tribal jewelry and gemstone jewelry of Meghalaya represent an exemplary example of creativity and craftsmanship. Ornaments like ‘Kynjri Ksiar’, ‘Paila’ and ‘Rigitok’ are some of the most famous works of art crafted in the state of Meghalaya. Kynjri Ksiar, made out of 24 karat gold and Paila, a string of thick red coral beads usually worn by the Khasis. Rigitok is a thin fluted stem of glass, strung by a fine thread, which is generally worn by Garo ladies.
Handcrafted ornaments of gold, silver, and gilt beads are one of them Meghalaya’s most famous dancing attires. Gold beads are basically hollow spheres filled with lac. Most of which are like amulets, bracelets, necklaces and anklets. Costumes are intricately embellished with them diamond-like crystals which are manufactured locally. They fancy the thin stems of glass strung with fine threads. Garo ladies who wear this necklace are called Rigitok.
2. Weaving
Unlike anywhere else in India, where men do much of the spinning and weaving, the same activity in Meghalaya is an exclusive activity specialized by women. Weaving can begin as soon as the harvests are over. The loom used in Meghalaya is an interesting piece of equipment. The loom is a simple back strap with a continuous horizontal warping consisting of six sticks serving the function of a warp beam, lease rod, heald stick, beating sword and another warp beam.
There are a certain number of steps before we set up the loom:
Fastening the warm beam to the wall of a house or any other suitable form supported horizontally.
On these fastened warps, two loops of bark strings are attached. Adjusting the length of each loop from an already woven piece of cloth, loops which are distanced equivalent to a little more than the breadth of the piece of fabric.
The lower cloth beam is indented at its either end so that the weaving belt can be attached to it. This belt is worn by the operator on her back. By it, she sits on a low bench in front of the loom with her feet pressing onto a firm support, so that she can apply necessary tension on the warp. Women keep the necessary strain by sitting with the belt (Aphi) on their back, attached to a bar from which the warp (kotong) runs to the beam, firmly attached either to the well of the house or to them stakes fixed in the ground.
3. Khasi textiles (check for plagiarism)
A Khasi male can be identified with their unstitched lower garment (dhoti), jacket and a turban. Such an attire is rarely used today, except for ceremonial occasions, functions in which every man and woman are expected to be in their best ethnic wear, for this outfit has been heavily modernized in the recent times; henceforward it has become quite the contrary to what it originally symbolized.
On the other hand, women have adhered to their traditional heritage as far as their clothing is concerned; wherefore their clothing consists of an undergarment, above it is a two-piece cloth pinned onto each shoulder and a shawl. The raw material for these clothes is primarily obtained from them textile mills, for the Khasis have lost the art of weaving. Older women continue to wear another type of woolen cloth, the use of which is fast disappearing. Women wear gold and silver, jewelry usually made out of very pure materials and aesthetically crafted by local smiths.
In case you plan a trip to Meghalaya, and end up purchasing anyone of these items, send us a selfie of your favorite product; wherewith you can even order these items from the official website of Baazkart, and stand a chance to win exciting prizes.
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