Whistling village, where people are known by tunes

Day 23 of the "virtual (digital) tour" of places known for unusual customs, practices, mysterious phenomena. This post is part of the A to Z Challenge and Blogchatter A2Z 2026

In the misty East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, about 60 kilometres from Shillong, in the northeast of India, is a small hamlet that sounds unlike any other place. 

While the rest of the world uses spoken words to call out to one another, the residents of Kongthong communicate through a symphony of whistles and melodies. This extraordinary tradition has earned it the nickname "The Whistling Village" or the "Singing Village".

BABIES ARE ASSIGNED TUNES

The most unusual aspect of Kongthong is a centuries-old tradition called Jingrwai Iawbei, which translates to "melody sung in respect of the root ancestress". In this village, every child is assigned a unique musical tune at birth instead of just a spoken name.

A resident of the village.
Image courtesy: Satarupa Paul / BBC

Even before a child is born, the expectant mother prepares a short, unique melody inspired by the sounds of nature, such as bird calls or the rustling of leaves. 

Upon birth, the mother hums this tune to her newborn until they recognise it as their own identity.

No two tunes in the village are alike. While residents have "regular" names for official purposes, their musical name is what they use to interact with the community throughout their lives.

Each person actually has two versions of their tune name:

1.  A long one, lasting between 14 to 30 seconds (sometimes up to a minute), these elaborate melodies are used to call out to someone across the deep gorges and valleys.

2.  A short one, similar to a nickname, this is a shorter extract used at home or when someone is within close earshot.

Villagers believe these tunes also offer protection. Folklore suggests that "bad spirits" in the forest cannot distinguish these human melodies from animal calls, keeping the whistler safe from harm.

A traditional-style homestay for tourists.
Image courtesy: Satarupa Paul / BBC

MOTHER'S LOVE

Kongthong belongs to the Khasi tribe, a matrilineal society where heritage and identity are passed down through the female line. The Jingrwai Iawbei is considered an expression of a mother’s "unbridled love and joy". Interestingly, once a person passes away, their unique tune dies with them and is never repeated for anyone else.

GLOBAL RECOGNITION

This rare cultural heritage has caught the attention of the world. In 2021, Kongthong was India's entry for the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Best Tourism Village contest. The village is also currently aiming for UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage status to ensure this beautiful tradition survives for future generations.

(Information sources: BBC, Meghalaya Tourism, The Times of India)

Previous posts in the series:

Asur	Bhangarh	Channapatna
Dhinga Gavar	Edakkal caves	Floating stones
Ghost lights	Hakki Pikki	Idu Mishmi
Jatinga	Kodinhi	Living root bridges
Malana	Nidhivan	Om Banna Temple
Piplantri	Qila Raipur	Roopkund
Sati handprints	Thimithi	Umngot River
Vettuvan Koil

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