Khasi people
Hynñiewtrep | |
|---|---|
Khasi women in traditional dress | |
| Total population | |
| 1,512,831 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| India | 1,427,711 |
| Meghalaya | 1,382,278 |
| Assam | 34,558 |
| Bangladesh | 30,000 |
| Languages | |
| Khasi | |
| Religion | |
| Majority: Christianity (Catholic & Protestant) Significant: Ka Niam Khasi, Minority: Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Jaintia people and other Mon–Khmers | |
The Khasi people are an Austroasiatic ethnic group of Meghalaya in north-eastern India with a significant population in the bordering state of Assam and in certain parts of Bangladesh. The Khasis constitute the majority population in the eastern part of Meghalaya, particularly in the Khasi Hills, where they represent 78.3% of the region's population. They also comprise about 48% of Meghalaya's total population, making them the state's largest ethnic community. They are among the few Austroasiatic-speaking peoples in South Asia. The Khasi tribe holds the distinction of being one of the few remaining tribes that have a matrilineal society. Under the Constitution of India, the Khasis have been granted the status of Scheduled Tribe.