Ri Bhoi District is one of the youngest districts of Meghalaya and has its headquarters located at Nongpoh. Ri Bhoi District came into existence and assumed the hierarchical status of a district on 4th of June, 1992 by upgrading the former Civil Sub-Division. This district of Meghalaya was carved out from the erstwhile East Khasi Hills District. Ri Bhoi District contains an area of 2448 sq kms excluding the geographical areas under the erstwhile Nongwah Syiemship. Total population of Ri Bhoi District as per 2001 Census is 192795, out of which male population is 99315 and female population is 93480. Further, total literacy rate of the district is 65.7 percent, urban literacy rate accounts for 74.4 percent whereas rural literacy rate is 65.1 percent.
Location of Ri Bhoi District
Ri Bhoi District lies between north latitudes 25 degree 15 minutes and 26 degree 15 minutes and between east longitudes 91 degree 45 minutes and 92 degree 15 minutes. It geographically comprises parts of Khasi kingdoms namely parts of Mylliem Syiemship, Khyrim Syiemship, Nongspung Syiemship, Nongkhlaw Syiemship, whole of Nongpoh Sirdarship (erstwhile Nongpoh Syiemship), Myrdon Sirdarship and the erstwhile Nongwah Syiemship. Ri Bhoi District is bounded in the north by Kamrup District, Morigaon District and Nagaon District of Assam, in the east by Karbi Anglong District of Assam, in the south by East Khasi Hills and West Khasi Hills Districts and in the West by West Khasi District.
Administration of Ri Bhoi District
Deputy Commissioner is the head of district administration. Ri Bhoi District comprises three Community and Rural Development Blocks namely Umsning Community and Rural Development, Umling Community and Rural Development and Jirang Community and Rural Development. Further, this district has only one administrative unit at Patharkhmah.
Culture of Ri Bhoi District
The Bhois of Ri Bhoi District are the sub - group of Khasi Tribe. Majority of Bhois speak the Bhoi dialect. In Ri Bhoi District, there are other groups of tribes namely Garo tribe, who speak the Tibeto - Burman groups of language, whereas the Karbis, Marngars, Mikir Tribe, Bodo tribe and Lalung tribe use Assamese language. The Bhois follow the matrilineal system. Ka Shad Sajer is the ceremonial dance held annually at the end of January. It is more or less like a festival of Ri Bhoi District. Other dances include Ka Shad Shohkba of Raid Nongkharai, Shad Shutwait and Shad Dongdong, Shad Malangho and Shad Kynjuh Kynthei of Raid Nonglyngdoh. Merriment dances of Ri Bhoi District include Ka shad Lakympong, Lukhmi of Namsha, Thaiang, Nongtung and Tyrso.
Tourism in Ri Bhoi District
Tourism in Ri Bhoi District means exploring the various lakes, parks and scenic beauty of the region. The popular attractions offered by Ri Bhoi District attract the people from different corners of the country. Some of the renowned tourism attractions of Ri Bhoi District are Umiam Lake, Lum Nehru Park, Dwar Ksuid and Lum Sohpetbneng. Tourism options in this district offers water sports facilities including sailing, water skiing, and water scooter.
Topographical features of Ri Bhoi District comprises rough and uneven land surface. This district has poor transport and communication services.