Meghalaya has certainly become a favourite for travellers, all thanks to breathtaking travel destinations like Shillong and the double decker root bridges.
But in the East Khasi Hills is Kongthong, which is no ordinary village. Here, every resident has a name that isn't spoken but sung. Known popularly as India’s Whistling Village, Kongthong’s centuries-old naming tradition is both deeply emotional and musical. Recently, a video by traveller Anu Sharma went viral, showcasing this unique custom. In the clip, she asks a local woman her name and instead of answering with words, the woman whistles a melodic tune. That tune is her name. Anu explains that each resident is identified through a unique musical sound, composed lovingly by the mother when the child is born. “Yeh hai Kongthong village jahan sabke naam ek musical tune hain,” she adds while capturing the hamlet’s hills and landscape.
The Tradition Of ‘Jingrwai Iawbei’ In Kongthong
Kongthong is home to about 700 residents, meaning the village carries over 700 distinct tunes at any given time. Locals call to each other across valleys using these whistles.This musical naming practice is called jingrwai iawbei, meaning “Song of the Clan’s First Mother.” It is rooted in Meghalaya’s matrilineal culture, where women are central to family lineage and inheritance.
Each person here actually has three names:
A document name used for official records
A long melodic tune composed by the mother soon after birth
A shorter tune used to call out to the person in daily life
The long tune can be around 30 seconds, while the shorter one lasts 10 seconds, usually used to quickly call kids back home. What makes it more unique is that no two tunes are ever alike and they cannot be reused, even after the person has passed on.
In 2021, the village was nominated by India’s Tourism Ministry for the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages Award, bringing it into global spotlight. The village is also one of the biggest broom-grass producers in the region and offers travellers stays in traditional Khasi huts that are simple and cosy, offering an immersive rural experience.
How To Reach Kongthong In Meghalaya
By air: The Guwahati airport is 168 kms away, and Shillong airport is 79 kms from Kongthong.By railway: The Guwahati railway station is 145 kms away from the village.
