Spices of Lakadong, Jaintia Hills
A hill area of Meghalaya known for Lakadong turmeric, a variety noted for its high curcumin content.
Traded and grown here
Best time: November to March.
The Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya grow a turmeric called Lakadong, named for a village in the area. It is known for dark colour and a higher curcumin content than many other turmerics, and its cultivation by small farmers has drawn wider attention.
Spices and trade
Farmers grow turmeric on terraces and small plots, boil and dry the rhizomes and sell them as powder or whole. Lakadong turmeric is sold in India and abroad, and local cooperatives work on grading and branding.
The place and its people
The Jaintia people are one of Meghalaya's main communities, and the area has a matrilineal tradition. Hill farming also grows ginger, black pepper and other crops.
Visiting
Jowai is the district town. Roads in the hills can be affected by monsoon rains, so the cooler dry months suit travel.
A trail idea for Lakadong, Jaintia Hills
- A turmeric farm See the crop in the field.
- A drying yard Look at rhizomes drying.
- Jowai market Buy local spices.
- Living root bridges Visit the region's natural bridges.
Written by the EveryMasala desk with AI assistance. Background: "Lakadong turmeric" on Wikipedia. Opening hours, markets and tours change; check locally before travelling. If something is wrong, tell us.
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