People and Process
Bah Ha Lyngdoh – Farmer, Grandfather, And Village Leader
Like most people the world over, the Khasis of Meghalaya too love chillies. They have been raising varieties of these fiery plants in their backyards ever since the Christian missionaries introduced them into the Northeastern part of India … maybe five centuries ago.
In A Patriarchal World, Meghalaya's Khasi Women Keep Their Own Identity
The Khasis of Meghalaya are an ancient and vibrant tribe. They are one of those matrilineal and matrilocal societies where lineage and kinship flow from the female line. The Khasi woman, not the man, is the one who passes on the family name to progeny. She
Top 10 Shillong Foods
At the heart of Shillong, food, and music are traditions that are ingrained in our culture. You'd be surprised to know that the most authentic places to experience Shillong food, is not at a hotel, but it's on the nooks and crannies of the city.
MBDA Shillong Mission: Conserving Natural Resources & Improving Livelihoods
As part of Zizira's effort at 'getting to know the agricultural and other livelihood imporvement potentials of Meghalaya', a team of three visited the office of the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA), Shillong and met with its Director, Mr Aiban Swer, in mid-September 2015.
Top 5 Reasons Why Agriculture Is A Good Profession
India is on the brink of an exploding workforce that will need a sustainable means of livelihood in the immediate future. The Census of India 2011 estimates that by 2020, over 65% of the country’s population will attain working age, which has been summed up as India’s “demographic dividend”. But on the other hand, there is also the fact that one out of every three graduates in India is unemployed.
Organic Agriculture In Meghalaya: Opportunities And Challenges
Till only a century ago natural farming was the norm everywhere. Then the Green Revolution happened in the mid-twentieth century. It created the era of mass food production, of modern, conventional agriculture. To increase food production, we use chemicals and invade forest lands. But now we see a small but a significant shift back towards organic agriculture.
Women Always Have a Way to Succeed – A Story of Kong Tharina
The women in Meghalaya are very entrepreneurial. It always amazes me how passionate they are about their work. There are women from distant villages who leave their houses early in the morning to go to 'Iewduh' (a wholesale market in Shillong) to sell their goods. And then return home until late evening. They have the fire in their belly and the passion in their heart to provide the best for their families. This drives them to take on any challenges and turn them into opportunities.
Meet Bah Rishot Wahlang - A Beekeeper Who Talks To The Bees
On my previous post, I shared about our trip to Mawsynram village to meet the amazing basket weavers and our most loving, kindhearted Kong Elvira.
Today, I want to share the story of how we met Bah Rishot Wahlang, a beekeeper who talks to the bees in the beautiful village of Lawbah.
So here's how it goes...
Living With The Bees: Story from our Epic Trips
“If you live in harmony with nature you will never be poor; if you live according what others think, you will never be rich.” This is one of our favorite quotes by Seneca.
Zizira explorers recently visited Mawsynram. Known as the wettest place an Earth, Mawsynram also is known for its honey. And quite literally, we experienced living with the bees.
Khasi Ancient Agricultural Tools For Sustainable Farming And Living
The indigenous Khasis of Meghalaya are mostly farmers. In fact, even today 83% of the population of the state of Meghalaya are farmers. For hundreds of years, the agriculture of the Khasis has remained the sustainable kind, managed with long-lasting, low-maintenance eco-friendly tools. Sustainable living has always bee
Meet Kong Elvira – A Bee Keeper From Mawsynram
Meet Kong Elvira from Mawsynram. Working with Zizira has given her a chance to sell her honey to a bigger market and increase her business. Read her story.
Bee Keeping In Thad Village
We, at Zizira, explore the hills and valleys of Meghalaya to get the best of the best from Meghalaya. This time we went on a journey to Thad village situated in Umsning of Ribhoi district in Meghalaya. It is located 12km away from sub-district headquarter Umsning and 38km away from district headquarter Nongpoh.