Garos: A Matrilineal Tribe of Meghalaya

What sets one tribe apart from the other is their unique traditions, values, faiths, and cultures. India is home to numerous tribes, and each tribe has a fascinating history attached to them, making them unique. The Garo tribe is no exception to that.

The Garo Tribe | Source: Wikipedia

Among the huge number of tribes residing in India, there are a handful that can be described as matrilineal****.**** One such tribe is the Garo tribe, which has its roots in the Tibetan-Burmo areas and currently resides in the foothills of Meghalaya, Assam, and Tripura. This is one of those tribes where children inherit titles from their mothers, and it's the eldest daughter who inherits the family property, rather than the sons.

The history of the Garos tribe can be traced back to the 1800s. Legends believe that these people originally were the occupants of Tibet, but they migrated to the Garo hills in Assam during 400 BCE under the rule of Jappa Jalimpa. The Garos tribe survived various wars and British rule during the early years of their migration, making the areas of Assam and Meghalaya their permanent homes.

Traditional Dress of Garo Tribe | Source: India Net Zone

The Garo tribe is the second largest tribe in Meghalaya after the Khasi tribe, and the people of this tribe are referred to as Achik Mande. Achik means 'bite soil,' and Mande means 'people,' translating to 'hill people.' The language spoken in the Garo tribe is unique and known only to the tribe, belonging to the Bodo branch, hence known as the Bodo-Garo language. However, there are no written records of their language; instead, families pass it on from one generation to another. Different subforms of the Bodo-Garo are spoken in different sections of the Garo tribe, such as Chibok, Megam, Matabeng, Ruga, Achik, Ganching, etc.

In earlier times, the Garo tribe was best known for their violent behaviours and bloodlust attitude. It is believed that in earlier times, people with the maximum number of deceased heads were considered the most powerful in the tribe, based on the records of the British Raj. People from outer communities simply used to stay away from earlier Garo tribe people. However, the situation is different now. People of the Garo tribe live peacefully, and there have been no instances of violent behaviour in recent times.

Woman of the Garo Tribe | Source: Wikipedia

Various other changes have been witnessed in the current generation of the Garo tribe, compared to earlier generations. Songsarek****,**** a traditional religious festival of the Garo tribe, is now limited to some old families only. Songsarek is an animal festival where animals are sacrificed to please deities. Legends have it that the tradition is a way to appease the gods and pray for the welfare and prosperity of the tribe. In its place, Christmas is now widely celebrated.

The evident decline in traditions and values was a matter of concern among the tribe. To preserve the century-old traditions and the historic significance of the tribe, the Garo tribe founded Rishi Jilma to safeguard the tradition, and now the groups of Rishi Jilma are situated in around 480 areas where the Garo tribe resides.

Whether it's the unique dress and jewellery of the Garo tribe's women or their reputation as headhunters, the Garo tribe has made a significant mark throughout the history of India. Various cultural traditions, values, and the vibrant ambience of the tribe have already been lost with time, and the rest are gradually declining. What was once known as the deadliest tribe in the country is now simply a group of isolated people. Will the values and traditions of the tribe survive the rapid urbanisation and societal changes is a concern for the coming years.