EQUAL HEIGHTS

A glimpse of the matriarchal society.

- Shalini Bhardwaj

Come on! Don't be scared." Arisha said, turning to look at me. "It is very strong. It can last up to 500 years." I followed her, a bit nervous, cautiously taking one step at a time.

It was the first time that I was crossing a bridge entirely made of live tree roots, a wonderful creation in the forests of Meghalaya.

At the other end of the bridge, I was exhilarated as Arisha told me how eventually the new, aerial roots of rubber tree were transformed into a strong, spectacular creation.

I met Arisha when my husband was posted in Meghalaya, a few years ago. At 15, she was the youngest member of a Khasi family that lived a short walk from our accommodation. Her beautiful round face, shining monolid eyes and sleek straight hair made her look like a Japanese doll.

She sensed my love for nature and my perfect Hindi accent in the first meeting and the deal was sealed.] Hindi classes and then nature walk.

I enjoyed trips with her to lush green coniferous forests, shimmering lakes, from limestone caves to rippling waterfalls and soon, we were forging a bond that further led me to the wonderful, unique world of the Khasi people.

The Khasi tribe in Meghalaya is one of the few matrilineal groups in the world which follow a form of family life in which the line of descent is through mother's lineage. Since children take their mother's last name, daughters ensure the continuity of the clan and inheritance of ancestral property is through the youngest daughter.