Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures
Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures
Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
About
Acclaimed as one the finest museum in Asia on the promotion of indigenous and tribal cultures, Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures (DBCIC) or Don Bosco Museum as it is popularly known is a major tourists' attraction that provides a glimpse of the rich and multi-cultural lifestyles, history and traditions of the indigenous peoples of North East India. The museum, showcasing many galleries, gives an insight into the beautiful and diverse cultural richness of the eight States of India's North East under one roof. The Museum, run by the Salesian of Don Bosco of the Catholic Church, houses and documents the various indigenous cultures, arts and crafts of North East India.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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- Prasanna NNew Delhi, India110 contributionsSentinel of the North Eastern CultureThe Don Bosco Cultural Center or to quote the local guides, Don Bosco Museum is located about 4 km from the main Shillong city. A seven-storied structure, the cultural center is an awe-inspiring exhibition of all that is North East. The seven sisters of the region have a variegated culture and geography hidden among them. The museum has a ground floor dedicated to artifacts and souvenirs unique to this region. It also has a rich collection of books on the history of various tribes of this region. The subsequent floors have rooms dedicated to the seven states with some breathtaking vintage photographs which teach us a lot about the uniqueness of these places. It also has a section dedicated to the history of nations that have a contiguous border with our NE states. The spread of Christianity in India has been covered in great detail. A section has been dedicated to the advances made by our country in the field of space technology. A short movie presumably on the NE region is also screened, though I did not find it very engaging. Do not miss the skywalk which offers a panoramic view of the city. All rooms have clean washrooms. A cafeteria is located on the seventh floor. A cursory look at all sections will require at least an hour to an hour and a half. It is preferable to set aside half a day ( 3 to 3.5 hours) to accomplish full justice. The Don Bosco Cultural Center is truly a repository and sentinel of all that is North East.Visited July 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 25 November 2023
- Murali UEmirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates66 contributionsMuseum not to be missed if in ShillongI have not seen such a well kept , neat and clean museum . It is a seven storeyed museum providing a glimpse of rich and multi cultural lifestyle ,history and traditions of the indigenous people of North East India. If you are in Shillong , do not miss to visit the Don Bosco Museum .It also has a sales counter selling different artefacts of Meghalaya and the North East.Average time spent about two hours and toilets /Refreshments available in the museum.Visited May 2024Travelled with familyWritten 9 May 2024
- Lorraine B10 contributionsTerrific insight into indigenous peoples of IndiaWhat a brilliant museum! Insightful education on the history, culture, rituals and customs of the hill tribes of the Assam and Meghalaya region. It’s a beautifully curated collection of articles, imagery and information. Not usually a great museum-goer, two hours spent there flew by for me. Highly recommended.Visited April 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 9 May 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
703 reviews
Excellent
441
Very good
207
Average
40
Poor
10
Terrible
5
Fernweh3
Hanau, Germany207 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
We visited this museum as part of our programme of an organised round trip.
Many exhibits from the different indigenous tribes. But no good information on context of exhibits, where the exhibits came from, where they old (how old) originals or recent reproductions.
We have to say this museum left us sort of lost, and we did not get much out of our visit.
There were more visitors from the area, though, and they seem to have enjoyed it.
Could be a better museum with more and interesting facts and explanations.
Many exhibits from the different indigenous tribes. But no good information on context of exhibits, where the exhibits came from, where they old (how old) originals or recent reproductions.
We have to say this museum left us sort of lost, and we did not get much out of our visit.
There were more visitors from the area, though, and they seem to have enjoyed it.
Could be a better museum with more and interesting facts and explanations.
Written 29 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Prasanna N
New Delhi, India110 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
The Don Bosco Cultural Center or to quote the local guides, Don Bosco Museum is located about 4 km from the main Shillong city. A seven-storied structure, the cultural center is an awe-inspiring exhibition of all that is North East. The seven sisters of the region have a variegated culture and geography hidden among them.
The museum has a ground floor dedicated to artifacts and souvenirs unique to this region. It also has a rich collection of books on the history of various tribes of this region. The subsequent floors have rooms dedicated to the seven states with some breathtaking vintage photographs which teach us a lot about the uniqueness of these places. It also has a section dedicated to the history of nations that have a contiguous border with our NE states.
The spread of Christianity in India has been covered in great detail. A section has been dedicated to the advances made by our country in the field of space technology.
A short movie presumably on the NE region is also screened, though I did not find it very engaging. Do not miss the skywalk which offers a panoramic view of the city. All rooms have clean washrooms. A cafeteria is located on the seventh floor. A cursory look at all sections will require at least an hour to an hour and a half. It is preferable to set aside half a day ( 3 to 3.5 hours) to accomplish full justice.
The Don Bosco Cultural Center is truly a repository and sentinel of all that is North East.
The museum has a ground floor dedicated to artifacts and souvenirs unique to this region. It also has a rich collection of books on the history of various tribes of this region. The subsequent floors have rooms dedicated to the seven states with some breathtaking vintage photographs which teach us a lot about the uniqueness of these places. It also has a section dedicated to the history of nations that have a contiguous border with our NE states.
The spread of Christianity in India has been covered in great detail. A section has been dedicated to the advances made by our country in the field of space technology.
A short movie presumably on the NE region is also screened, though I did not find it very engaging. Do not miss the skywalk which offers a panoramic view of the city. All rooms have clean washrooms. A cafeteria is located on the seventh floor. A cursory look at all sections will require at least an hour to an hour and a half. It is preferable to set aside half a day ( 3 to 3.5 hours) to accomplish full justice.
The Don Bosco Cultural Center is truly a repository and sentinel of all that is North East.
Written 26 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Murali U
Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates66 contributions
May 2024 • Family
I have not seen such a well kept , neat and clean museum .
It is a seven storeyed museum providing a glimpse of rich and multi cultural lifestyle ,history and traditions of the indigenous people of North East India.
If you are in Shillong , do not miss to visit the Don Bosco Museum .It also has a sales counter selling different artefacts of Meghalaya and the North East.Average time spent about two hours and toilets /Refreshments available in the museum.
It is a seven storeyed museum providing a glimpse of rich and multi cultural lifestyle ,history and traditions of the indigenous people of North East India.
If you are in Shillong , do not miss to visit the Don Bosco Museum .It also has a sales counter selling different artefacts of Meghalaya and the North East.Average time spent about two hours and toilets /Refreshments available in the museum.
Written 9 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kiran Shingwekar
Mumbai, India167 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
In the heart of Shillong this is a church created and maintained museum which offer an excellent insight into the culture of the entire NE. Well presented exhibits cover the various ethnicities, the various tribes, the history as also their culture, dresses, food habits, houses, implements, weapons etc. all the exhibits are well presented and well maintained with excellent information. Volunteers are close at hand to help. Utilities like toilets are available at close intervals. You need at least 3 hours to see this museum.
Written 2 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PayalBanerjee
Bangalore143 contributions
Oct 2024 • Family
It’s a good place if you want to know more about northeast India. They have seven floors with each divided into a theme. One floor showcases their costumes, one their houses, one musical instruments, one weapons, one on flora and fauna and so on. All very well done.
They also have a short film on the northeast which I thought was average. They could have showcased more of the natural beauty of the place given the film was 7-8 mins long.
There’s also a cafe and a skywalk from where you can view large parts of Shillong city. There’s a small souvenir shop near the exit where you can pick up cane curious, local candy and books on the region. The staff there is quite helpful.
They also have a short film on the northeast which I thought was average. They could have showcased more of the natural beauty of the place given the film was 7-8 mins long.
There’s also a cafe and a skywalk from where you can view large parts of Shillong city. There’s a small souvenir shop near the exit where you can pick up cane curious, local candy and books on the region. The staff there is quite helpful.
Written 27 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Capt Wendyll Pereira
Mumbai, India343 contributions
Apr 2022
One of the best Museums I have seen, en par with ones abroad. Literally gives you a shortcut tour of North East India. Well made and well maintained too. One should go through all 7 floors and view the 8 minute video and Must do the skywalk also !!
The articles sold at the curio shop are good and cheap too !!
The articles sold at the curio shop are good and cheap too !!
Written 12 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JackPC32
Exeter, UK513 contributions
Nov 2022
I thought it will be a simple museum but it is magnificent. It describes the full history of North East and other relevant history. Children will learn a lot of history here. A Must visit in Shillong and you have to spend 2 to 3 hours here.
Written 11 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorraine B
10 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
What a brilliant museum! Insightful education on the history, culture, rituals and customs of the hill tribes of the Assam and Meghalaya region. It’s a beautifully curated collection of articles, imagery and information. Not usually a great museum-goer, two hours spent there flew by for me. Highly recommended.
Written 9 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kavina
Kolkata (Calcutta), India198 contributions
Jan 2022 • Couples
It was a well made and well manned and lighted museum. Good for students and children. It has 7 floors of exhibits. Takes time, so be prepared for that.
It also has a small curio shop at the Ground Floor.
Skywalk at the top is a surprise from which you can view whole of Shillong.
It also has a small curio shop at the Ground Floor.
Skywalk at the top is a surprise from which you can view whole of Shillong.
Written 7 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
madhvi k
Gurugram (Gurgaon), India28 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
It's a good place with nice museum. All the 7states of northeastern India are covered in detail. The sky walk gives very good view. N the best part is shopping centre on the ground floor. Very cheap n good variety.
Written 29 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Whether it opens on Satur Day & Sun Day...???
Written 16 February 2017
it's open on all days except sunday and gazetted holidays
Written 17 February 2017
The charges for camera is Rs. 100, and it is advisable to carry one to capture the wonderful artefacts in the museum.
Written 22 October 2016
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