Don Bosco Museum - A Glimpse Into Indigenous Lifestyle

In Meghalaya - the Abode of Clouds, lies the beautiful hill station of Shillong. Enticing travellers and people from all walks of life with its tranquil lakes, lush green surroundings and verdant hills, Shillong thrives with natural bounty, generous hosts, plenty of history and a deep-seated culture. Here, we bring into focus one such institution that brings forth the nuances of the indigenous culture of the region, along with its history, underlining its importance in society.

Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures (DBCIC) is a vast organisation that acts as a catalyst in the endeavour to unite people and bring forth cultural intelligence and transformation. It has various programs like cultural artefact exhibitions, studies and research, culture-related publications and activities and knowledge-sharing platforms.

The idea and establishment of the centre is largely owed to Fr. Sebastian Karotemprel of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB). Amidst his many other ventures, mostly in the field of missiology, he established a centre that emphasised the importance of the indigenous people of the North-Eastern states of India. The seven-storey hexagonal structure of Don Bosco Centre has become the pride of Shillong's architecture. It is actually a museum, research centre and publication house, all in one.

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Don Bosco Museum, Shillong is believed to be Asia's largest museum for indigenous cultures, and contains 16 galleries filled with paintings, tools and artefacts, with each gallery depicting a different aspect. The galleries exhibit art, basketry, ornaments, costume jewellery, fishing, hunting, food, housing and culture of the natives, making for a very interesting and informative visit. The research and publication wings are a haven for research students and scholars who have set about on a journey to find the beauty in the history of the indigenous culture.

Another highlight that makes Don Bosco Museum a favourite among tourists is the skywalk on the 7th floor, giving you a beautiful landscape view of the hill station of Shillong. The eatery serves traditional local cuisines for true connoisseurs as well as a normal menu of popular Indian dishes to appeal to all kinds of visitors, whether one is here for leisure or business.

Its proximity to absolutely gorgeous accommodations like Hotel Polo Towers, Shillong and Polo Orchid Resort, Cherrapunji is what makes the visit both convenient and worthwhile. So pack your bags, visit Shillong, check out the Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures for a wonderful experience.

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