Meghalaya's Kongthong: India's Whistling Village Where Melodies Are Names

• Kongthong, a village in Meghalaya's Khasi Hills, is known as "The Whistling Village" due to its unique tradition.
• Instead of names, each person has a distinct whistling melody, called "Jingrwai Iawbei," created by their mother at birth, serving as their identity.
• This centuries-old custom originated because whistles travel farther across hills and are believed to deter wild animals or spirits in forests.
• Villagers use short whistles at home and long whistles for communication across forests and hills, with no two whistles being the same.
• Kongthong's unique culture has received UNESCO recognition and a nomination as India’s Best Tourism Village, attracting global travelers.

Why It Matters: Kongthong village in Meghalaya uses unique whistling melodies as personal identities, a tradition gaining global recognition.