Letter From Meghalaya
Where villagers call to one another using tune-names
Every mother in a valley in Indian state gives her newborn a distinct tune
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The night was a quiet carpet of black in the East Khasi hills of the north-eastern Indian state of Meghalaya. As our van laden with potatoes came to a stop, Mr Tishu Khongsit turned from the front seat to say we had arrived at his village. Then the 23-year-old tore the cold darkness with a 10-second whistle - it started low, rose fast and fell in little chuckles.
From the night came a soft, ambling "oiii" in reply, followed by footsteps.
