Shillong: South African author Damon Galgut opened the Shillong Literary Festival on Wednesday by presenting three new books focused on Khasi traditions. The works document the community’s history, social institutions, and beliefs. Raphael Warjri and Adeline Swer wrote the volumes to cement indigenous identity.
Warjri penned Jutang Longblei: Khasi Divine Covenant, a bilingual book of myths and legends. It organizes folktales chronologically before offering reflections on societal values. He also wrote Khasi Matrilineal Clan Lineage System. This title is an international version of his 2025 project, MEI: Matrilineal Exogamous Institution. Pidison Suchiang, head of the Greater Sylhet Indigenous Peoples’ Forum, backed the release to reach Khasi groups in Bangladesh. Suchiang aimed to "strengthen cultural connections" among those living across the border.
Warjri teamed up with Swer to write Matriliny versus Patriarchy. This book digs into the roots of the Khasi matrilineal system. It highlights the strain of modern patriarchal norms on traditional local customs. These releases aim to preserve indigenous knowledge during a time of social change. The authors hope their work keeps ancient community structures alive for future generations.
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