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Module 6 Unit 2 Khasi Community PDF
Module 6 Unit 2 Khasi Community PDF
Unit Objectives
Understand the socio-economic structure of the Khasi community of the state
Analyze the local climatic conditions which determine the architectural style of the Khasi community
Identify various elements of the Khasi house
• Mawbynna
• Skyngkup
• Nengpei
• Kympei
Explain the use of building materials and construction techniques in reflection with local physiographic
condition.
Their houses are built in close proximity to one another. In addition to individual houses, family tombs
and memorial stones called Mawbynna are located within their territory. There is no internal division of
the village based on wealth; rich and poor live side by side. Sacred groves are located near the Village
between the brow of the hill and the leeward side, where the village`s Tutelary deity is worshiped. Pigs
wander freely through a village, and some villages (e.g., those of the high plateau) also feature potato
gardens protected by dry dikes and hedges. Narrow streets connect houses and stone steps lead up to
individual houses. The upper portion of a Khasi Village may be as much as 100 meters higher in elevation
than the lower portion. (Indianetzone)
The Nengpei is one of the two rooms built in stone and timber house of the assam region. This room
combined more formal entertainment , sitting and sleeping space. This was the display room exhibiting
the family possesions.
Kympei : Kympei is the adjoining room at the rare end to the Nengpei. This space contains the hearth in
the center and beds at either sides. This was the private space, closed to all but family and intimate
frineds. Where such houses survice thatch has given way to metal roofing. This roofing has diadvantage
of heat loss from above and in the region of heavy rainfall the noise can be defening.
The homes of wealthy Khasi are more modern, having iron roofs, chimneys, glass windows, and doors.
Some have European-style homes and furniture. A marketplace is located outside a Khasi village (close
to memorial stones, by a river or under a group of trees, depending on the region). Within Khasi villages
one may find a number of public buildings, Christian churches, and schools. (Indianetzone)
Khasi community has a taboo which precludes the use of metal to join woodwork. In the absence of
nails, joints are fastened either with wooden pegs or thin bamboo strips. When using wood they prefer
jackwood, wild jack and hard ironwood. (Dawson, 1998, 176)
Bibliography
Dawson, I. C. (1998). Traditional Buildings of India . Italy: Thames and Hudson.
Indianetzone. (n.d.). History of Khasi Tribe. Retrieved November 15, 2009, from Indiannetzone:
http://www.indianetzone.com/19/history_khasi_tribe.htm
Suggested Readings
Ehrenfels, U. R. ( Nov., 1955). A Typical Khasi Hat. Man, Vol. 55, , pp. 168-169 .
Questions
1. Critique villages and houses of Khasi community from Meghalya in response to their socio-
economic and climatic condition.
2. Define following elements of the Khasi house: Mawbynna, Skyngkup, Nengpei, Kympei
3. Critique the use of stone rubble and paddy straw as building material by the community.