East Khasi Hills District of
Meghalaya spans an area of 2,820 sq km. The district is bounded by
Ri-Bhoi District in the north, Bangladesh in the south,
Jaintia Hills District in the east and the
West Khasi Hills District in the west. Population exceeds 650,000. The
Khasis are the predominant inhabitants. Garos and other tribes are found in the southern border areas. The climate is humid throughout the year. The Shillong Plateau is the most prominent physiographic feature of East Khasi Hills District.
The main food of the Khasis is rice. They also eat fish and meat. Rice-beer, an extract from rice, is drunk on ceremonial and religious occasions. Folk songs are recited during childbirth, wedding and festivals. They are particularly fond of music. Musical instruments such as drums,
duitaras and instruments similar to guitars, flutes, pipes and cymbals are played. Khasis weave cane mat, stools and baskets. They extract iron ore and manufacture domestic knives, utensils and even guns.
Nongkrem Dance and Ka Shad Suk Mynsiem are the major festivals. Tourist attractions include Shillong Peak,
Ward's Lake and Botanical Garden, Lady Hydari Park, Shillong Golf Course, Meghalaya State Museum, Bishop and Beadon Falls, Elephant Falls, Spread Eagle Falls, Sweet Falls, Crinoline Waterfalls, Diengiei Peak, Kyllang Rock and the caves in Khasi Hills.
