Information about Costumes and Jewellery
Location: Shillong
State: Meghalaya
Capital: Shillong
Language: Khasi, Garo, English
Temperature: Max 37˚C, Min 15˚C (summer),Max 28˚C, Min 8˚C (winter)
Best Season: March to July.
How to Reach:
By Air: The nearest major airport is located at Guwahati in Assam, which is about 128 Kms from Shillong. Guwahati is well connected to Kolkata, New Delhi, Baghdogra and Bangkok by regular flights. Taxis can be hired from Guwahati Airport to Shillong. There is a helicopter service from Guwahati Airport to Shillong.
By Rail: The nearest railhead is at Guwahati, which is located at a distance of 103 Kms from Shillong.
By Road: Meghalaya Transport Corporation and Assam State Transport Corporation buses are available, that frequently ply from Guwahati to Shillong.
In the state of Meghalaya, three chief tribes wear different costumes and jewelry. However, with the vagaries of time in the other states of the country, western codes of dress have been adopted by males and women are supposed to continue the tradition of cultural sartorial elegance.
The Khasi ladies wear a dress known ‘Jainsem’ which flows free to the ankles. The upper portion of her body is dressed in a blouse. Over these, she attaches both ends of a plaid cotton cloth on her one shoulder, thus extemporizing an apron. On various formal occasions, a long piece of Assam muga silk known as ‘Ka Jainsem Dhara’ is worn over the ‘Jympien’ which flows loose beneath after being pinned or knotted at the shoulder. The head-shawl or ‘Tapmohkhlieh’ is either put on by knotting from both ends backside of the neck or is arranged in a graceful manner as through with a shawl.