In Meghalaya, the predominantly rural population comprises mostly of Christians and Hindus, with some Muslims and few Buddhists. The tribal hill people trace their origin to pre-Aryan times in India. The Garos, Khasis and Jaintias have their own distinctive language and culture.

Garos are believed to be originally from Tibet, belonging to the Bodo family of the Tibeto - Burman race, and once practised human sacrifice too. Though they predominantly inhabit the Garo Hills, they prefer to call themselves 'Achiks' and their inhabited land as "Achik-Land". They were basically animists and displayed human skulls in their houses. The Khasis are believed to be Austro-Asiatic, who honour the dead by erecting monoliths, groups of which are quite common in many Khasi villages. Interestingly, similar monoliths have been reported from different parts of the world, as in Wales, Brittany and Corsica, where they've been erected by ancient people. Jaintias, on the other hand, are of Mongolian descendants, closely related to the 'Shans' of Burma. They believe in the Universal existence of god and hence build no temples. All these tribes however, follow a matrilineal social pattern, whereby the wealth and property are passed down through the female line.

Covering an area of about 22,500 sq. km. and extending across a length of about 300 km and breadth of about 100km, this region lies in a severe earthquake belt. The capital Shillong is a popular hill station, located at an altitude of 1496m above sea level. Meghalaya is a storehouse of beautiful handicrafts, hand woven shawls and exquisite cane work. Brightly coloured textiles are a speciality here. This state is also home to many enchanting tourist destinations, which leaves one spellbound. Thus, tourists throng this place not only because of its scenic environs, but also for the famous art and crafts. For those who seek peace and tranquility amidst natural surroundings and want to get their money's worth, Meghalaya is the place to reckon with.

WANGALA

The Wangala festival is held with great pomp and show among the Garos, in the month of November every year. This is an important festival, which is dedicated to 'Satyong,' the God of fertility.

 Also popularly known as the 'Dance of Hundred Drums,' this festival is symbolic of a yield of good harvest and an end to a period of hard work and toil. The celebrations may last for a week and include dancing, singing and making merry. The young and old alike, dress in their colourful costumes and a feathered head dress and dance to the beat of long cylindrical drums.

 DOREGATA DANCE

This is a popular dance festival wherein the men and women participate with lot of enthusiasm. An interesting dance is the main feature of this festival. In this, while dancing, the women try to knock off the turbans of their male partners using their head. This presents a hilarious sight and if the women succeeds, it is followed by peals of laughter from the onlookers.

This is also known as 'Pomelo Dance', which requires lot of skill. This is a solo dance form, featuring the Pomelo fruit. During this dance, the dancer has to hurl a pomelo fruit, dangling from a cord tied to his waist, as far as possible without any perceptible movement of the hips. Expert dancers can even throw two fruits hung on a cord at the same time.

This festival is also simply known as the "Nongkrem Dance", and is one of the most important Khasi festivals. It is held every year during the months of October to November, and Smit, the capital of Khyrim Syiemship near Shillong, becomes the venue for this festival.

 Nongkrem Dance holds immense religious importance as it represents thanksgiving to the Almighty for a good harvest, peace and prosperity of the entire community. It is marked by a goat sacrifice or the "Pomblang", which is an important feature of this festival. This sacrifice is offered to the Syiem of Khyrim, who is the administrative head of Khasi region.

 Virgin women and bachelor or married men perform the Nongkrem Dance in the open. They dance to the tune of flutes and drums in a circle, where women form the inner and men form the outer circle. The women are traditionally dressed up in expensive silk costumes and heavy jewelry comprising of gold, silver and coral ornaments. The priests conduct the rites and rituals, wherein offerings are made to the deity of Shillong as well as the ancestors of the ruling tribal clan.

 SHAD SUK MYNSIEM

This festival is held annually in the month of April in Shillong. It is also counted among the important festivals of the Khasis and is popularly known as "Dance of the joyful heart". This dance is marked by thanksgiving to God for the beautiful harvest and prosperity of the tribe. It Lasts for three days, during which men and women dressed in their traditional attires, dance to the tune of drums and flutes.

This is an annual festival celebrated in the month of July, and is an important dance festival of the Jaintias. It is celebrated to appease the Gods and seek their blessings for a beautiful harvest.

 Celebrated after the sowing period, this dance festival includes an interesting feature. Here, young men beat the roof of every house with bamboo poles, as a symbolic gesture to ward off evil spirits, diseases and pestilence. Apart from this, large poles are held across the stream Wah-Ait-Nar, and while dancing, the people jump on these poles, breaking them. A large pole is also placed across the stream and people contend for its possession. During all these, the women don't participate, as they are responsible for offering sacrificial food to the ancestral spirits.

This is an entertaining dance in which both the men and women participate. This dance requires two young men on either side of a woman, holding arms together and dancing step by step. All the people are dressed up in their traditional finery, and they match their steps with the impromptu recitation of a man who recites couplets and enthralls the audience.