Living Megalithic Culture: Descriptive Study of Ossuaries Among the Khasis in Ummat and Sohbar Villages, Meghalaya

The megalithic culture of the Khasis encompasses the practice of bone burial in stone structures—cists and cromlechs. The present study focuses on the identification and description of ossuaries in two villages of Meghalaya. Ossuaries among the Khasi-Jaintias serve as both temporary (Mawshyieng) and permanent (Mawbah) repositories of bones. A total of 12 and 8 ossuaries belonging to the 12 and 8 clans found at Ummat and Sohbar villages, respectively, were documented. Various morphological features of the ossuaries in these two villages were also observed and recorded for the study. The practice of bone burial in permanent repositories (thep Mawbah) is a dying practice, though bone burial in temporary repositories (thep Mawshyieng) is still prevalent. The contributing factors include conversion to Christianity, inter-racial marriages and the absence of the maternal uncle (knï) to perform such rituals. While this study covers only two sites, it highlights the potential for further research and documentation of the extensive megalithic monuments found throughout Meghalaya. Despite the widespread presence of these structures in the Meghalayan landscape, minimal to no initiatives have been undertaken for their preservation and conservation, even though they serve as repositories of historical heritage.