Culture and Economy in Meghalaya

Culture and Economy in Meghalaya

Meghalaya is a small north-eastern Indian state.  It is one of the few places left on earth showing intense appreciation for the matrilineal culture that is, most tribal populations in Meghalaya believe that women should be the ones carrying the lineage and inheritance further on.  Meghalaya is also the single Indian state where parents have the lowest interest in having male children.  Amongst the main tribes living in Meghalaya, the Jaintias, the Garos and the Khasis are the grandest.

The economy in Meghalaya is mainly focused on agriculture.  In fact, nearly two thirds of the total work force engages in working the land.  This would suggest a striving agrarian economy; however this particular sector of life features low productivity, increasing the rural poverty amongst Meghalaya inhabitants.  As a result, the state is forced to import most food products including grains, meat, eggs etc.

Natural resources are, on the other hand, exceptionally abundant.  Minerals such as granite, limestone, coal, Kaolin and others, plus a large forest cover, numerous sources of water and a rich biodiversity indicate towards a highly resourceful state.  Lacking an elevated level of industrialization, this prevents the people from Meghalaya from fully exploiting the state’s potential and raising the economy.  Taking into account the natural beauty of Meghalaya, the state government has made attempts towards promoting tourism but without much success given the infrastructural constraints and security issues that characterize the state