The Jingkieng Jri: Meghalaya’s Living Root Bridge Cultural Landscapes
The Jingkieng Jri: Living Root Bridge Cultural Landscapes represent an extraordinary example of indigenous environmental management and cultural heritage in Meghalaya. These living root bridges, created from the aerial roots of rubber trees, showcase the intricate relationship between the local Khasi and Jaintia tribes and their natural environment. This traditional practice, spanning over a century, demonstrates sustainable craftsmanship and community ingenuity. The tentative inclusion on UNESCO’s World Heritage List highlights the cultural significance and uniqueness of these living structures, underscoring their role in preserving both ecological balance and traditional knowledge. So let’s know about this one of the best things to do in Meghalaya.
What are Living Root Bridges?
The Living Root Bridges are an extraordinary blend of natural growth and human intervention. These structures are grown by guiding the aerial roots of rubber trees across streams and rivers, where they anchor in the soil on the opposite bank. Over time, these roots grow and strengthen, creating a durable and living bridge that can support the weight of people crossing them. Some of these bridges are over a hundred feet long and can bear the weight of 50 or more people at a time.
History and Cultural Significance
The tradition of creating Living Root Bridges is believed to be centuries old, deeply rooted in the Khasi and Jaintia tribes’ culture. The early 19th-century accounts of these bridges highlight the innovative use of nature to overcome the challenges posed by the region’s rugged terrain and heavy monsoon rains. These bridges are more than just functional structures; they represent a living tradition passed down through generations, embodying the community’s connection with nature and their collective spirit of cooperation.
The Unique Craft of Living Root Bridges
The process of creating a Living Root Bridge involves several stages:
- Visioning and Planning: Identifying the location and envisioning the structure.
- Planting: Planting young rubber trees at strategic points.
- Training the Roots: Guiding the roots over bamboo or other supports across the desired span.
- Nurturing: Continuous maintenance and care, ensuring the roots grow in the intended direction and strengthen over time.
This method requires patience, skill, and deep ecological knowledge, with some bridges taking 15 to 30 years to become fully functional.
Notable Living Root Bridges
While there are numerous Living Root Bridges across Meghalaya, a few stand out due to their size, beauty, and historical importance:
- Umshiang Double-Decker Root Bridge: Located in Nongriat village, this bridge features two levels of root bridges stacked one above the other, making it a unique marvel.
- Ritymmen Root Bridge: One of the longest living root bridges, located near the village of Tyrna, is a major attraction for its impressive span and strength.
- Mawsaw Root Bridge: This bridge, near the village of Laitkynsew, is famous for its scenic beauty and the natural pool formed beneath it.
- The Rangthylliang Living Root Bridge: Located in the Cherrapunji region of Meghalaya, northeast India, stands as one of the longest living root bridges in Meghalaya, measuring over 50 meters (160 feet) in length. Named after the village of Rangthylliang, where other root bridges are also found, this remarkable structure is situated 30 meters (98 feet) above the ground. The trek to visit the Rangthylliang Living Root Bridge begins in Rangthylliang and concludes in Mawkyrnot village, offering an immersive experience in the region’s unique indigenous engineering and natural beauty.
Full List of Villages in Meghalaya Hosting Living Root Bridges
The full list encompasses 72 villages or groups of villages that host the Living Root Bridges, with each location’s accessibility options and precise coordinates provided for reference.
| No. | Village/Group of Villages | Site Coordinates | Accessibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amkoi | 25°13′ N, 92°0′ E | Walk |
| 2 | Kudengrim | 25°13′ N, 92°1′ E | Walk |
| 3 | Kudenthymmai | 25°13′ N, 92°1′ E | Walk |
| 4 | Khonglah | 25°15′ N, 92°0′ E | Walk |
| 5 | Nongbarehrim | 25°13′ N, 91°59′ E | Walk |
| 6 | Nongbareh Lyntiar | 25°13′ N, 92°0′ E | Walk |
| 7 | Darrang | 25°12′ N, 92°0′ E | Walk |
| 8 | Sohkha Mission | 25°12′ N, 92°1′ E | Walk |
| 9 | Sohkha Model | 25°12′ N, 92°2′ E | Walk |
| 10 | Sohkha Phlang | 25°12′ N, 92°2′ E | Walk |
| 11 | Nongtalang | 25°12′ N, 92°4′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 12 | Padubah | 25°16′ N, 92°1′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 13 | Warbah | 25°16′ N, 91°49′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 14 | Laitmawroh | 25°21′ N, 91°49′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 15 | Ramkheng | 25°22′ N, 91°50′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 16 | Rikyrshang | 25°21′ N, 91°49′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 17 | Massar Dymmiew | 25°21′ N, 91°47′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 18 | Nongsteng, Pomramdah, Kiengshympet, Lummawshken, Wahkaliar (Elaka Nongsteng) | 25°16′ N, 91°37′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 19 | Ramdait | 25°14′ N, 91°39′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 20 | Mynteng | 25°14′ N, 91°39′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 21 | Pyrnai | 25°16′ N, 91°51′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 22 | Mawlam, Mawiang, Ryngkew (Raid Mawlam) | 25°15′ N, 91°49′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 23 | Mawbeh | 25°15′ N, 91°50′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 24 | Umniuh | 25°11′ N, 91°49′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 25 | Mynrieng | 25°18′ N, 91°51′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 26 | Tyngkei | 25°18′ N, 91°56′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 27 | Lyngngai | 25°18′ N, 91°55′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 28 | Sohkhmi | 25°15′ N, 91°46′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 29 | Mawphu | 25°18′ N, 91°38′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 30 | Laitiam | 25°13′ N, 91°45′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 31 | Nongpriang | 25°16′ N, 91°44′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 32 | Mawrap (Raid Tynrong) | 25°14′ N, 91°37′ E | Hard Trek |
| 33 | Diengsiar | 25°12′ N, 91°49′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 34 | Mawkliaw Kemrang | 25°13′ N, 91°48′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 35 | Shuthim | 25°18′ N, 91°51′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 36 | Nongblai | 25°20′ N, 91°51′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 37 | Maw-ah | 25°22′ N, 91°50′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 38 | Kshaid | 25°19′ N, 91°45′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 39 | Nohwet | 25°12′ N, 91°53′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 40 | Riwai | 25°12′ N, 91°53′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 41 | Nongsohphan | 25°11′ N, 91°53′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 42 | Mawlynnong | 25°11′ N, 91°54′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 43 | Nongthymmai (Elaka Tyrna) | 25°14′ N, 91°40′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 44 | Nongriat | 25°15′ N, 91°40′ E | Hard Trek |
| 45 | Siej | 25°12′ N, 91°40′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 46 | Nongkroh | 25°13′ N, 91°39′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 47 | Mawshun | 25°14′ N, 91°57′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 48 | Burma | 25°13′ N, 91°58′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 49 | Shiliang Jashar | 25°13′ N, 91°53′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 50 | Mawlyndun | 25°15′ N, 91°54′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 51 | Nongthymmai Kyndiar | 25°13′ N, 91°53′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 52 | Nongjri, Pungweikyian, Tishang | 25°11′ N, 91°48′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 53 | Nongtyngur | 25°12′ N, 91°56′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 54 | Wahkhen | 25°19′ N, 91°51′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 55 | Mawkyrnot | 25°17′ N, 91°52′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 56 | Phlangtyngor | 25°16′ N, 91°52′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 57 | Mawbyrnei | 25°13′ N, 91°52′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 58 | Rangthylliang | 25°17′ N, 91°52′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 59 | Pynter | 25°15′ N, 91°58′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 60 | Kongthong | 25°20′ N, 91°48′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 61 | Pdei Puhbsein | 25°20′ N, 91°47′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 62 | Sder | 25°17′ N, 91°48′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 63 | Thangkyrta, Mawtongreng, Langsteng, Nongbah, Dewiong, Pdang, Jarain (Raid Nongbah Mawshuit) | 25°18′ N, 91°48′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 64 | Rymmai, Mawshken (Raid Rymmai) | 25°18′ N, 91°48′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 65 | Kyntang, Jashar, Khongrim, Sohkha (Raid Kyntang) | 25°14′ N, 91°48′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 66 | Sohkha | 25°14′ N, 91°48′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 67 | Nongbri, Nongtem, Nonghroh, Rumar | 25°15′ N, 91°51′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 68 | Tynring | 25°17′ N, 91°54′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 69 | Mawkynrew, Lawbah | 25°16′ N, 91°53′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 70 | Mawthong | 25°16′ N, 91°54′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 71 | Nongpyndeng | 25°13′ N, 91°52′ E | Moderate Hike |
| 72 | Mawmot | 25°12′ N, 91°50′ E | Moderate Hike |
See the Full List of Living Root Bridges in Meghalaya on the Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage
Environmental and Social Impact
The Living Root Bridges play a crucial role in the local ecosystem and community life. They help in soil conservation and prevent erosion, essential in the high rainfall areas of Meghalaya. Moreover, these bridges facilitate connectivity between remote villages, enabling access to markets, schools, and health services, thereby improving the quality of life for the local population.
The tradition of building and maintaining these bridges fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility. The process of growing a bridge involves collective effort and cooperation, reflecting the Khasi community’s values of reciprocity and harmony with nature.
UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List
In 2022, the Living Root Bridges were included in UNESCO’s World Heritage Tentative List under criteria (i), (iii), and (vi), recognizing their outstanding universal value:
- Criterion (i): They represent a masterpiece of human creative genius, showcasing the remarkable ingenuity of the Khasi people.
- Criterion (iii): They bear an exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition that has endured and evolved over centuries.
- Criterion (vi): They are directly associated with the living cultural practices and beliefs of the Khasi community, emphasizing the profound bond between humans and nature.
Visiting the Living Root Bridges
Exploring the Living Root Bridges offers a unique travel experience, combining adventure with cultural immersion. Here are some tips for visiting:
How to Get There
- By Air: The nearest airport is in Shillong, about 70 km from the bridge sites. Guwahati Airport, 130 km away, is another option with more frequent flights.
- By Road: From Shillong, hire a taxi or take a bus to Cherrapunji (Sohra), the base for most Living Root Bridge treks.
- By Train: The nearest railway station is in Guwahati, Assam, from where you can take a taxi or bus to Shillong and then proceed to Cherrapunji.
Best Time to Visit
The ideal time to visit is during the dry season, from October to May, when the weather is pleasant, and the trekking paths are more accessible. The monsoon season (June to September) offers a lush, green landscape but can make trekking challenging due to heavy rains and slippery paths.
Accommodation
- Guesthouses and Homestays: Numerous options are available in Cherrapunji and nearby villages, offering a chance to experience local hospitality.
- Eco-Resorts: For a more comfortable stay, eco-resorts around Cherrapunji provide beautiful views and modern amenities.
Trekking and Safety Tips
- Trekking Gear: Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes suitable for trekking. Carry rain gear if visiting during the monsoon.
- Guides: Hiring a local guide is recommended to navigate the trails and learn about the bridges’ history and cultural significance.
- Fitness: The treks can be physically demanding, so a moderate level of fitness is advisable.
Respecting Local Culture
- Environmental Care: Avoid littering and follow the “leave no trace” principle to preserve the natural beauty of the area.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Respect local customs and traditions, and seek permission before photographing people or private properties.
The Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya are a living testament to the symbiotic relationship between humans and nature. Their inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List underscores their global significance and the need to preserve this unique cultural heritage. A visit to these bridges offers not just an adventure into nature but also a journey into the heart of an ancient and enduring way of life.
