Revisiting Traditional Institutions in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills

Book excerpt: Traditional institutions in the Khasi-Jaintia society are “living organisms” which have existed for centuries and internally evolved from one phase to another. Despite having come into contact with newer and more modern forms of administration, they continue to exist, backed by local public opinion that has called for their continuity amidst diminishing responsibility and utility. This collection of papers explores the landscapes of traditional institutions that exist in the present Khasi and Jaintia Hills in Meghalaya, India. The chapters blend oral tradition with historical records and available sources from secondary literature. They examine the interplay of power and functions between the constitutional authorities, such as the state government, and the Autonomous District Councils and traditional authorities represented by the traditional institutions.