CRAFTS
Weaving is an ancient craft of the tribals of Meghalaya - be it weaving
of cane or cloth. The Khasis are famous for weaving cane mat, stools and
baskets. They make a special kind of cane mat called 'Tlieng', which
guarantees a good utility of around 20-30 years. The Garos weave the
material used for their costumes called the 'Dakmanda'. Khasis and
Jaintias also weave cloth. The Khasis have also been involved in
extracting iron ore and then manufacture domestic knives, utensils and
even guns and other warfare weapons using it.
SONGS AND MUSIC
The
Garos generally sing folk songs relating to birth, marriage, festivals,
love and heroic deeds sung to the accompaniments of different types of
drums and flutes.
The Khasis and Jaintias are particularly fond of songs praising the
nature like lakes, waterfalls, hills, etc. and also expressing love for
their land. They use different types of musical instruments like drums,
'Duitara' and instruments similar to guitar, flutes, pipes and cymbals.
COSTUMES AND JEWELLERY
The three major tribes of Meghalaya have distinct costumes and jewellery.
However, with the change of time as in the rest of the country, the males
have adopted the western code of dress leaving the ladies to continue the
tradition of ethnic sartorial elegance. 
Khasi Attires
The Khasi lady wears a dress called 'Jainsem' which flows loose to the
ankles. The upper part of her body is clad in a blouse. Over these, she
ties both ends of a checkered cotton cloth on one shoulder, thus
improvising on apron. On formal occasions, worn over the 'Jympien' is a
long piece of Assam Muga silk called 'Ka Jainsem Dhara', which hangs loose
below the knees after being knotted or pinned at the shoulders. The
'Tapmohkhlieh' or head-shawl is either worn by knotting both ends behind
the neck or is arranged in a stylish manner as done with a shawl.
Jaintia Attires
The Jaintia maidens dress like her Khasi counterpart but with the
additional of a 'Kyrshah' - a checkered cloth tied round the head during
harvesting.
On formal occasions, however, she dons a velvet blouse, drapes a striped
cloth called 'Thoh Khyrwang', sarong style round her waist and knots at
her shoulder an Assam Muga piece hanging loose to her ankles. In contrast,
the Garo women wear a blouse, raw cotton 'Dakmanda', which resembles a
'Lungi' and the 'Daksari', which wrapped like a 'Mekhla' as worn by
Assamese ladies.
Accessories
The jewellery of the Khasis and the Jaintias are also alike and the
pendant is called 'Kynjri Ksiar', being made of 24-carat gold. The Khasis
and the Jaintias also wear a string of thick red coral beads round their
neck called 'Paila during festive occasions. The Garo ladies wear Rigitok,
which are thin fluted stems of glass strung by fine thread.