Ever heard of living root bridges? They are the Khasi tribe’s legacies

Most of us are unaware of the treasure trove that the seven sisters – North-east states – have. The truth is that each state and its people have a deep relationship with the forest. One such state is Meghalaya and its living root bridges. The longest such bridge is Rangthylliang in Cherrapunji region, Meghalaya – it is over 50 m long and 30 m above the ground.

What is a living root bridge?

A living root bridge is a type of simple suspension bridge formed of living plant roots by tree shaping. They are handmade from the aerial roots of rubber fig trees by the Khasi and Jaiñtia people of the mountainous terrain along the southern part of the Shillong Plateau. As long as the tree from which it is formed remains healthy, the roots in the bridge can naturally grow thick and strengthen.

Living root bridges have also been created in Nagaland, Indonesia at Jembatan Akar on the island of Sumatra, and in the Banten province of Java, by the Baduy people.

History

While even the Khasis don’t know how the tradition of these root bridges began, it is said that the concept began almost two centuries ago. The people of the Khasi clan living in Meghalaya put rubber tree roots into hollow canes of Areca nut palm that met halfway across the stream.

These unique structures are created by weaving the roots of the Ficus Elastica tree, locally known as Riwar, to form sturdy natural bridges across rivers and streams. Over generations, the art of shaping and maintaining these living bridges has been passed down, resulting in a network of remarkable structures over a hundred feet long.

How are they made?

These trees usually take about a decade to grow and generate secondary aerial roots. These roots can then be weaved to construct sturdy structures and then form enormous roots for reinforcement. The local bridge builders of the region direct the roots of the bridge by weaving bamboo scaffolding. This scaffolding is used to gently push the aerial roots across the river until they are planted on the opposite side after being weaved into it.

Every two years, they change the bamboo scaffolding since the moisture and humidity can damage it. The roots ultimately become thicker and intertwine with those of a different tree on the other side. Over 20 to 30 years, they continue to guide the roots on the existing bridges until the roots can stand on their own. And voila, you have a live root bridge!

Can you walk across living root bridges?

Yes, definitely. These living root bridges are strong enough to support the weight of multiple people walking across them at once. However, if you want to walk across these bridges, you are advised to follow local guidelines and respect the bridges, which are considered sacred by many of the local communities. These bridges can be slippery when wet, and you should wear appropriate footwear and avoid jumping or running on the bridges.