Kongthong, a small village in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills, is known as the "Whistling Village" because here, people communicate with each other through singing instead of speaking.
The whole point of communication is to express what we feel. Some researchers even say that long before language was invented, people may have used something like telepathy to connect. Then came words, conversations, and dialogue, and slowly, the older ways vanished. But is language always enough? Haven’t there been moments when we’ve stumbled, searching for the right words to say how we feel? The answer, more often than not, is yes. And that brings us to something more instinctive, music. Well, music says what words can’t. It speaks straight to the heart. That’s the idea behind most Western musicals too, where characters sing instead of speak, because music expresses emotion in ways dialogue can’t. When we fall in love, don't we often feel like a song says our feelings better than we ever could with words? A lullaby from a mother to her baby works before the baby even learns a single word. Workers fighting injustice come together through songs. “Bella Ciao” was a voice of resistance. During a recent major protest in Bengal after a horrific crime, it wasn’t a speech but a song by Arijit Singh, "Aar Kawbe?", that united thousands. From “We Shall Overcome” to "O Re Halla Rajar Sena", music has always connected people when words fail. And that’s why, when I heard about a village in Meghalaya where people literally talk through music, I wasn’t really surprised. Rather, I was fascinated.
#Kongthong Village, located in the Khat-ar-shnong area in East Khasi Hills, was recently announced as one of three villages in India to have been nominated for UNWTO's 'Best Tourism Villages' contest. Read through the images to find out what got Kongthong nominated. pic.twitter.com/xY0NabcBUA
— Meghalaya Tourism (@meghtourism) September 14, 2021
Credit: Meghalaya Tourism
As World Music Day approaches, let’s take a virtual trip to Kongthong, the “Whistling Village”.
Located in the mist-draped East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, about 52 kilometers from Shillong, Kongthong is home to around 700 people and is surrounded by emerald hills, thick forests, and clouds that seem to touch the earth. The villagers, all members of the Khasi tribe, have lived here for generations. While no one knows exactly when or how the village was founded, elders speak of ancestors who were drawn to the peaceful Khat-ar-shnong valley, rich in both resources and beauty. With its bamboo homes, terraced fields, and one-of-a-kind tradition, Kongthong has this unique identity that earned it a nomination for UNESCO’s Best Tourism Villages award.
Escape the ordinary and discover the magic of #Kongthong, the whistling village of Meghalaya. This rural gem in the heart of #Meghalaya awaits you with its stunning landscapes, unique whistling tradition, and warm hospitality. Embark on an unforgettable journey and experience a… pic.twitter.com/bMksKpATqm
— Incredible!ndia (@incredibleindia) June 2, 2024
Credit: Incredible!ndia
If you ever visit Kongthong and walk through its narrow paths, you’ll likely hear soft, tuneful whistles floating through the air. Pay attention, and you'll realize that these are names. Because here, every individual is identified not by a spoken word, but by a personal tune. When a child is born, the mother creates a short melody called a jingrwai lawbei, or “song of the first woman of the clan.” It’s a musical name, reflecting the mother’s feelings and wishes for the newborn. That melody becomes the child's identity and is used for their entire life. Instead of calling someone’s name aloud, villagers whistle their tune, and the person responds.
Credit: indiaculturalhub
So how did such an extraordinary custom come into being? The roots run deep in the Khasi people’s history and their bond with the natural world. Elders say the tradition began centuries ago, when villagers working in dense forests or spread across hilly terrain needed a way to communicate over long distances. Words often got lost in the wind, but a whistle could travel far and clear. What started as a practical solution slowly turned into personalized melodies - musical names that became a cherished part of their identity. Some believe it also reflects the Khasi’s matrilineal culture, where women are central to the family lineage. In that light, the mother composing her child’s melody becomes more than a ritual of creation.
Credit: nenomadbazinga
As already mentioned, music fills the space that language often struggles to reach. A whistled tune can cross hills and fields, carrying messages more effectively than shouting ever could. For farmers tending distant plots or hunters moving through the forest, it’s a practical form of communication. But more than utility, it’s about connection. Each melody carries emotion, memory, and identity. It turns even a casual greeting into a personal moment. Villagers here say that these musical calls foster stronger bonds - when someone whistles your tune, it’s a reminder that you are remembered and loved.
Meghalaya’s ‘Whistling Village’, Kongthong bags the Best Tourism Village Award in the Bronze category organised by @tourismgoi.
— Conrad K Sangma (@SangmaConrad) September 27, 2023
Apart from its scenic beauty, Kongthong is unique for its tradition to identify each villager with a unique tune given to them at birth by their… pic.twitter.com/rQY4vywCfn
Credit: Conrad K Sangma
Here, children grow up hearing their melody called out with affection and pride. They learn to whistle it themselves, joining in the musical rhythm of daily life. It creates a deeply connected community where everyone knows everyone else’s song. Basically, it’s a form of communication with no grammar or dictionary, just full of happiness. Even visitors get a taste of this tradition. Travelers, including influencers, have shared their awe at receiving a temporary tune as a way of being welcomed into the village’s musical family. For the Khasi, these songs are living archives, passed down from generation to generation.
Sangeet Natak Akademi North-East Documentation Centre, Agartala presents glimpses of the documentation of the whistling tune tradition of the "Whistling Village" Kongthong in Meghalaya on 25th and 26th May 2024.#music #dance #drama #artist #folk #SangeetNatakAkademi #Agartala pic.twitter.com/z47my1HCNz
— Sangeet Natak Akademi (@sangeetnatak) May 29, 2024
Credit: Sangeet Natak Akademi
Like many traditions, Kongthong's musical legacy too faces the winds of change. With younger generations moving to cities and social media overpowering real emotions, the melodies risk stepping into memory. Yet, hope remains. Efforts are underway to protect this cultural gem. Local political leaders have been advocating for global recognition to preserve the tradition. Tourism, too, is helping as visitors come in search of something real, something rooted. Kongthong offers that. So this World Music Day, let’s celebrate the fact that in a small village in Meghalaya, people still sing each other’s names, and that’s a kind of magic worth protecting.
