Kongthong: Meghalaya’s whistling village where names are tunes

The picturesque hill village Kongthong is nestled in East Khasi Hills in Meghalaya. Kongthong is part of Khat-ar-shnong - a valley region in East Khasi Hills known for its rugged terrain. 

Located in a remote area between Sohra in Cherapunji and Pynursla ridges, Kongthong is a unique place where people use tunes instead of names to call or identify people. This name isn’t a word. It is a unique personal tune expressed through a whistle. The caller hums the tune to contact an individual and it is only understood by the villagers.

The tunes sound like whistles when heard from afar, giving Kongthong the nickname of ‘Whistling Village’.

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The village of over 700 people, inhabited by the indigenous Khasi tribe, is now on the global map due to this whistling tradition called ‘Jingrwai Lawbei’ (meaning the song of the clan’s first woman). The tunes are a way to pay homage and connect with the ancestral roots.

In Kongthong’s matrilineal society, mothers create this unique tune for their newborns.

Each Jingrwai Lawbei of a person has two versions -- shorter and longer. These tunes are used as names to honour their clan’s first woman, an ode to the feminine power in society.

They are also given an official name on their birth certificate and other government documents. However, for other purposes, the tune name is preferred. The Khasi people of Kongthong have carved a distinct cultural identity because of the practice of Jingrwai Lawbei.

There is a folklore about the origin of the whistling tradition in Kongthong. One of them is about a man who once climbed a tree to escape goons who were after his life. Left with no option, he whistled for his friends to come to his rescue and that led to the tradition of using whistles for calling people. 

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The tradition dates back centuries when there was no written language among the Khasis. The melodious names often mimic natural sounds such as birdsongs or waterfalls. Upon someone's passing, their tune or Jingrwai Lawbei departs with them. 

Geographical reasons for whistling names

Kongthong is the most prominent village in the Khat-ar-shnong region because of its striking location and unique tradition of residents being assigned a tune that also serves as a unique ID.

The high-pitched tunes travel a longer distance than phonetics in the hills, making it easier to get in touch with people.

This whistling tradition serves as a distinctive form of communication that has drawn tourists and language researchers from around the globe. Apart from the unique cultural tradition, Kongthong’s breathtaking scenery, surrounded by the majestic monsoon-soaked mountains of Meghalaya, offers plenty of hiking trails to explore. 

The village has a school till class 8 and a Presbyterian church. There is a worship place called Madan Ñiangpyrhai for the tribal people, who follow the Seng Khasi religion.

In Khat-ar-shnong, one can find the tallest living root bridge, Jingkieng Myor, which spans two granite cliffs with the Wah Sohra River rushing over a hundred feet below. The region is also well-known for its high-quality honey.

Other notable villages and attractions in Khat-ar-shnong include Mawrah viewpoint, Khrang village, famous for its herbal tea Dewlieh, and several other scenic spots. Local homestays are a good option for tourists apart from the Traveller’s Nest in Kongthong. It is a peaceful retreat featuring cosy, traditional huts managed by the local community.

For trekkers seeking a challenge beyond the main roads, there is an option to consider hiking to Kongthong by navigating the terrain between Pynursla and Sohra ridges. It’s good to hire local guides as they have knowledge and stories, ensuring the comfort and safety of tourists.

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