SHILLONG: Amidst the presence of researchers, scholars, teachers and official figures, an effort to trace the origins of the Khasi-Jaintia tribes and “re-examine Khasi-Jaintia socio-linkages with Southeast Asia” through a research initiative was launched by Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma on Tuesday.
The chief minister launched an e-portal and also inaugurated an office room in support of the initiative.
Dr. David Arnold Kharchandy, an assistant professor at Synod College and an eminent researcher, described Ki Dienjat (the footprints) as a multi-disciplinary project aligned with the study of linguistics, folklore, archaeology, anthropology, architecture, material culture, megalithic studies, migration, genetics and bioinformatics.
Speaking on the megalithic traditions and importance of the standing stones—the dolmens, stone jars and other monuments of the Khasi-Jaintia landscape, he described them not simply as stones but as traces of history connecting back to the ancestors, clans, lineage, social organisations, rituals and relationships of the land, making them central to the investigation.
This opens up a space for comparative questioning when these traditions of the Khasi-Jaintia tribes are placed alongside the megalithic landscapes of Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Kharchandy also raised the possibility of the Khasi-Jaintia tribes representing an early Austroasiatic population which survived in the highlands of the subcontinent, with the ancestral population moving from regions further East to what is the present Khasi-Jaintia hills.
On the principles of ethical research surrounding communities, ancestors, identity and genetic information, he stressed that science must be accompanied by responsibility. “The project places importance on community participation, informed consent, privacy, data governance and respect for cultural and genetic sovereignty,” he stated.
For Kharchandy, a community is not merely a subject of research but rather a partner in knowledge production. The knowledge these communities hold, he said, is not to be extracted but should instead be respected, preserved and returned to them in meaningful form.
He also called upon the youth from the community to participate in such processes to develop and refine the required research skills. “Our ancestors left us Ki Dienjat (footprints); it is our responsibility to follow them honestly and respectfully.”
Andrew Laloo, a researcher on the project, explained that the Northeast of India is a major linguistic hotspot, home to more than 200 distinct languages packed into a relatively small geographical area, with mountainous terrain having kept different communities isolated from one another.
The research team aims to discover the origins of the Khasi-Jaintia communities. Laloo explained that DNA is passed down from one generation to the other—50 per cent from the mother and 50 per cent from the father. Using genome sequencing, the team aims to compare the population with surrounding Southeast Asian population groups.
On the progress of the research, Laloo said academic collaborations have been initiated with North-Eastern Hill University, while large-scale sequencing has been provided by Chromosome Labs in Mumbai. DNA sequencing can also provide additional data to study genetic metabolic diseases that the community may be predisposed to, Laloo added.
Sanbor Shullai, the Minister of Arts and Culture in Meghalaya, described the e-portal as a significant step towards providing a platform for assessing information, managing research data and promoting collaborations. He said it would facilitate faster communication, reduce paperwork and administrative costs, and eventually improve transparency in monitoring and sharing research findings.
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Chief minister Conrad Sangma attributed the genesis of the venture to his late father, P.A. Sangma, who had desired to conduct an in-depth research on the roots of the Garos. “I feel this is one of the most important missions that we should have because this will have the biggest lasting impact for years and generations on our people.” Sangma described the initiative as an open-ended discovery.
Turning to the developmental aspects of the government’s cultural initiatives, the chief minister pointed to the lack of amenities in the area where the Nongkrem Dance Festival is celebrated and allocated ₹7 crore for the construction of a gallery arena, restaurant and office.
The chief minister also announced the selection of a permanent location in East Garo Hills for the Me’gong Festival, an annual cultural and musical festival celebrated by the Garo tribe. Preparations are underway to create mini representations of villages of different tribes for tourists to explore the culture of the people of Meghalaya.
“In this fast-moving world, with all the economic development that is taking place, it is these aspects of our traditions, our roots, our culture that keep us connected,” he stated.
Encouraging the youth to continue participating, the chief minister said, “When it comes to the younger generation, who is completely involved in global aspects of social media, it is so easy to lose track of who you are. I really want our youngsters to be involved.”
The chief minister invited youth interested in research with creative ideas to approach him, and referred to the allocation of about ₹10 crore for the Khasi-Jaintia Hills and ₹10 crore for the Garo Hills over the next 18 months.
