Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya and it’s also known as the “Scotland of East’ because of its scenic natural beauty. Meghalaya is the only state of India where the matrilineal system is practiced unlike the patriarchal system in other states. Here women call the shots and there is a market in Shillong named ‘Bara Bazar’ that is mostly run by the women.
Women empowerment is not only about competing with men and having sexual liberalization which most woke liberals believe in. If you want to witness real women empowerment, visit Meghalaya where women are mostly in control of the house and Bara Bazar is a fine example of it.
Bara Bazar in Shillong is the biggest traditional market in the whole North-East and it’s run by women. In this market, you can find a vast range of products like vegetables, exotic fruits, dry fruits, spices, clothes, etc. In this market, there is a part where second-hand clothes are sold and if you like street shopping then it’s an ideal place for you. In this market, you will notice that most of the shops are run by women. In Meghalaya, it’s the women mostly who get the income, and men sit at home to take care of it. Slowly times are changing and men also started working still there are many households which practice this system. In Meghalaya, it’s the groom who leaves their house and stays in the wife’s house.
Coming back to Bara Bazar, apart from the usual household items, you can find many items which you can take back home as souvenirs. Among all the things you get here, Khasi knives and floor scrubber brushes are quite famous and the perfect items to keep as a memory of this place. Another unique thing you can get here is the feathered Khasi arrows as archery is a favorite sport among the people here. Additionally, you will find many home décor items and one important thing is that these things are not very costly and you can get them at reasonable rates if you are good at bargaining. Another specialty of this market is that here you can buy l locally-cultivated spices that are very good in comparison to the spices you get in a normal general store. You can buy some of them and try them at home as it provides a very good aroma and taste. The thin and gorgeous hand-woven shawls with tribal motifs on them are perfect items to gift someone and also a souvenir you can take back home.
If you want to taste some local foods then there are many food joints available where you can try authentic Meghalaya delicacies like Jeddah (a kind of flavored rice) and pork-based items. Visiting Bara Bazar is a must even if you are not buying anything. With women calling the shots in this market, exploring it is a unique experience you shall not miss.
