Don Bosco Museum of Indigenous Cultures
| Place | Shillong |
|---|---|
| State | Meghalaya |
| Virtual Museum | No |
| Year of Establishment | 2004 |
| Museum Type | Ethnographic / Cultural |
| National Importance Museum | No |
| Address | Mawlai Phudmuri, Mawlai Mawdatbaki, Shillong, Meghalaya 793008 |
| Visiting Time | Summer (Feb 1 – Nov 30): 09:30 AM – 05:30 PM; Winter (Dec 1 – Jan 31): 09:30 AM – 04:30 PM. (Monday to Saturday); Closed on Sundays and major holidays. |
| Entry Fee | ₹100 (Indian Adults); ₹50 (Indian Students); ₹200 (Foreign Adults); ₹150 (Foreign Students) |
Museum Introduction
Established in 2003 by the Salesians of Don Bosco, the Don Bosco Museum of Indigenous Cultures is recognized as one of Asia's largest ethnographic museums of its kind. Housed in a striking seven-story hexagonal building in Mawlai, Shillong, it serves as a "three-in-one" institution combining a museum, a research center (NEIRA), and a publication hub dedicated to the eight states of Northeast India.
General Collections
The museum spans 17 specialized galleries across 56,000 square feet. Its collection includes thousands of tribal artifacts such as traditional clothing, jewelry, musical instruments, hunting and gathering tools, agricultural equipment, and household utensils from various indigenous communities including the Khasi, Jaintia, Garo, Mizo, Naga, and Mishing.
Unique Historical Collections
Bhaitbari Terracottas: Rare archaeological remains from the ancient site of Bhaitbari. Shadow Clocks: Traditional time-keeping devices. Fiberglass Life-size Figures: Highly realistic representations of tribal life and events. Skywalk: A glass-bottomed rooftop walkway offering a 360-degree panoramic view of Shillong city.
Additional Information
| Video URL | https://youtu.be/_xAcLhI95Ec?si=ftPq-qYq_oKsVLg- |
|---|---|
| Video Courtesy | lawrencemaria YT Channel |
| Archaeological Survey of India | No |
| Notes | The museum's hexagonal architecture is designed to symbolize the unity of the diverse tribes of the Northeast. It is a major educational resource, housing the Otto Hopfenmueller Library with over 110,000 volumes. |
| Artifacts | Manipuri Pung (Drum); Traditional Dawache and Richia attire; Dao and Sherdukpen hunting weapons; Morchang and Lemet instruments; Dragon-design carpets; Traditional masks and bamboo headgear. |
| Highly Descriptive | Yes |
| Contact Details | +91 364 2550260 / +91 94361 18732 |
| Email ID | info@dbcic.org; dbcicshillong@gmail.com |