Christianity in Meghalaya
Christianity was first introduced in Meghalaya during 18th century and later it become the main religion of the state. Christianity was first introduce by Britishers to local indigenous Khasi people. During 1830s many Christian missionaries were set up in Meghalaya to convert the local Tribals into Christianity. The Conversion to Christianity of native Tribals of Meghalaya took place on large scale during 18th-19th century. The British people and various Christian missionaries are successful to convert the majority Tribals of Meghalaya into Christianity. Before Christianity arrived in Meghalaya majority of tribal people were following Animist religion with Ka niamtre and songsarek tradition. The Christian population in Meghalaya is estimated approx. 2.5 million which forms (83.3%) of the state population at 2018 census. Currently Presbyterian and Roman Catholic are the two most dominant Christian sects in Meghalaya. Baptism is mainly practiced by garo people living in Western part of Meghalaya. Presbyteriansm the largest christian dominant sect was mainly practiced by Khasi people living in the eastern part of Meghalaya. Christianity is mainly practiced by native Khasi people, Garo people and Jaintia people. According to 2017 census report, nearly (85%) of the Khasi people, (90%) of the Garo people and (60%) of the Jaintia people are identified themselves as Christians. Hinduism is the second largest religion in Meghalaya practiced by non tribals such as Bengalis, Biharis, Nepalis, Marwaris and Assamese people etc covering (11.9%) of the state population as of 2017 census report. The Christianity is the largest and official religion of Meghalaya. Most of the government institutes are run by Christianity. The Government of Meghalaya proclaims that Meghalaya is being a Christian state because Christianity impact a lot of importance in political affairs of Meghalaya. The culture of Meghalaya is mainly influenced by western countries with tribal traditional culture. Religion in Meghalaya is closely related to ethnicity. Close to 92% of the Garo and nearly 85% of the Khasi are Christian, while more than 97% of the Hajong, 98.53% of the Koch are Hindu.
At the 2001 census, out of the 689,639 Garo living in Meghalaya, only 49,917 followed their original religion (Songsarek) down from 90,456 in 1991. 9,129 of the Garo were Hindu (up from 2,707 in 1991) and 999 were Buddhist (up from 109 in 1991). There were also 8,980 Muslims.
Unlike the Garo, a significant number of the Khasi still follow their original religion (Niam Shnong / Niamtre). Out of the 1,123,490 Khasi, 202,978 followed the indigenous religion (slightly up from 189,226 in 1991). 17,641 of the Khasi were Hindu (8,077 in 1991) and 2,977 were Muslim.
A number of minor tribes live in Meghalaya, including Hajong (31,381 – 97.23% Hindu), Koch (21,381 – 98.53% Hindu), Synteng (18,342 – 80% Christian), Rabha tribe (28,153 – 94.60% Hindu), Mikir (11,399 – 52% Christian and 30% Hindu), and Biate (10,085 – 97% Christian).
The Roman Catholic Church in Meghalaya form the largest denomination in the state with 8,11,604 adherents. The Church is under the ecclesiastical province of Shillong with the following dioceses:
1) Archdiocese of Shillong,
2) Diocese of Tura,
3) Diocese of Nongstoin, and 4) Diocese of Jowai.
The Presbyterian Church form the second largest denomination in Meghalaya under the Khasi Jaintia Presbyterian Assembly with 7,50,989 adherents. The Church is governed under the following synod's namely Khasi Jaintia Synod Mihngi, the Khasi Jaintia Synod Sepngi and the Ri Bhoi Synod.
The Baptist Church under the Garo Baptist Convention make up the third largest denomination in Meghalaya with 3,00,000 baptised adults concentrated mostly in the Garo Hills.
The Church of God in Meghalaya, an indigenous church, established in Mylliem in 1902 is the fourth largest denomination in the state with nearly 1,00,000 adherents.
The Church of North India of the Anglican Communion under the Diocese of North East India in Meghalaya is the fifth largest denomination with close to 50,000 adherents.
See also
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