Garo (tribe)
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The Garos are a tribe in Meghalaya, India and neighboring areas of Bangladesh, who call themselves A·chik Mande (literally "hill people," from a·chik "hill" + mande "people") or simply A·chik or Mande.[1] They are the second-largest tribe in Meghalaya after the Khasi and comprise about a third of the local population.
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[edit] Religion
Their traditional religious system, Songsarek, is generally described as animist[1], but from the latter part of the 19th centuary American Baptist, and later Catholic missionaries opened schools and hospitals in the Garo Hills, and now most Garos are Christians, with the majority belonging to the Garo Baptist Convention, smaller numbers of Roman Catholics, and also some Seventh-day Adventists and Anglicans.
[edit] Geographical distribution
The Garos are mainly distributed over the Kamrup, Goalpara and Karbi Anglong Districts of Assam, Garo Hills in Meghalaya, and substantial numbers, about 200,000 are found in greater Mymensingh (Tangail, Jamalpur, Sherpore, Netrakona) and Gazipur, Rangpur, Sunamgonj, Sylhet, Moulovibazar district of Bangladesh. It is estimated that total Garo population in India and Bangladesh together were about 2 million in 2001.
There are also Garo in the state of Tripura. They numbered around 6000 in 1971.[2] In the recent survey by conducted by the newly revived Tripura Garo Union found that the Garos have increased to about 15000, spread over all the four districts of Tripura.The president of Tripura Garo Union was Mr.Girish Chisim The founder and the reviver of the organisation.Its General Secretary was Mr.Kulendra Marak.
Garos are also found in minority number in Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, Darjeeling and Dinajpur of West Bengal.Garos are also found in minority number in Nagaland but many of the young generations are unable to speak the garo mother tongue.
[edit] Language
The Garo language belongs to the Bodo branch of the Bodo-Naga-Kachin family of the Sino-Tibetan phylum. As the Garo language is not traditionally written down, customs, traditions, and beliefs are handed down orally. It is also believed that the written language was lost in its transit to the present Garo Hills.
Garo language has different sub-languages, Viz- A·beng, Atong, Me·gam, Dual,ruga,A'we,chisak, matchi,matabeng,gara,ganching Chibok etc. In Bangladesh A·beng is the usual dialect, but A·chik is used more in India. The Garo language has some similarities with Boro-Kachari, Rava, Dimasa and Kok-Borok languages.
However, the modern official language in schools and government offices is English and the modern generation is more inclined towards English.
[edit] Historical accounts
According to one such oral tradition, the Garos first came to Meghalaya from Tibet about 400 years ago under the leadership of Jappa Jalimpa, crossing the Brahmaputra River and tentatively settling in the river valley. It is said that they were later driven up into the hills by other groups in and around the Brahmaputra River. Various records of the tribe by invading Mughal armies and by British observers in what is now Bangladesh wrote of the brutality of the people.
The earliest written records about the Garo dates from around 1800. They "...were looked upon as bloodthirsty savages, who inhabited a tract of hills covered with almost impenetrable jungle, the climate of which was considered so deadly as to make it impossible for a white man to live there" (Playfair 1909: 76-77). The Garo had the reputation of being headhunters.
In December 1872, the British sent out battalions to Garo Hills to establish their control in the region. The attack was conducted from three sides – south, east and west. The Garo warriors confronted them at Rongrenggiri with their spears, swords and shields. The battle that ensured was unmatched, as the Garos did not have guns or mortars like the British Army.
Togan Nengminja, a young man was in command of the valiant Garo warriors. He fell fighting with unmatched heroism and courage in December 1872.
Later a Garo patriot and statesman Sonaram R Sangma also fought against British and tried to unify the contiguous Garo inhabited areas.
[edit] Culture
The Garos are one of the few remaining matrilineal societies in the world. The individuals take their clan titles from their mothers. Traditionally, he youngest daughter (nokna) inherits the property from her mother. Sons leave the parents' house at puberty, and are trained in the village bachelor dormitory (nokpante). After getting married, the man lives in his wife's house. Garos are only a matrilinear society, but not matriarchal. While property of Garos are owned by the women, the men folk govern the society & domestic affairs and manages the property. This gives a solid security to the Garo women folk. Garo also have their traditional names. [3]
However, the culture of modern Garo community has been greatly influenced by Christianity. Nokpantes are glory of the past and all children are given equal care, rights and importance by the modern parents.
[edit] Festivals
The common and regular festivals are those connected with agricultural operations.
Greatest among Garo festivals is the Wangala, usually celebrated in October or November, is thank-giving after harvest in which Saljong, the god who provides mankind with Nature’s bounties and ensures their prosperity, is honored.
Other festivals: Gal·mak Doa, Agalmaka, etc.
Wangala of Asanang: There used to be a celebration of 100 drum festival in Asanang near Tura in West Garo Hills, Meghalaya, India usually in the month of October or November. Thousands of people especially the young people gather at Asanang and celebrate Wangala with great joy. Beautiful Garo girls known as nomil and handsome young men pante take part in 'Wangala' festivals. The 'pante's beat a kind of long drum called dama in groups and play bamboo flute. The 'nomil's with colorful costume dance to the tune of dama' 'and folk songs in a circle. Most of the folk songs depict ordinary garo life, God's blessings, beauty of nature, day to day struggles, romance and human aspirations.
Christmas: Though Christmas is basically a religious celebration, in Garo Hills the month of December is a great season of celebration. In the first week of December the town of Tura and all other smaller towns are illuminated with lights and celebration goes till about 10th of January. The celebration is featured by worship, dance, merry-making, grand feasts and social visits. People from all religions and sections take part in the Christmas celebration.
Tallest Christmas Tree of the World: In December 2003 the tallest Christmas tree of the world was erected at Dobasipara, Tura by the Baptist boys of Dobasipara. Its height was 119.3 feet and BBC television had come to take a coverage and broadcasted. The tree was decorated with 16,319 color electric bulbs and it took about 14 days to complete the decoration. The Christmas tree had attracted several tourists and journalists from outside of Meghalaya, India.
[edit] Music and Dance
Group songs may include Nangorere, Serejing, Pandu Dolong etc. Dance forms are Ajema Roa, Mi Su·a, Chambil Moa, Do·kru Sua, Kambe Toa, Gaewang Roa, Napsepgrika and many others.
The traditional Garo musical instruments can broadly be classified into four groups.[4].
- Idiophones: Self-sounding and made of resonant materials – Kakwa, Nanggilsi, Guridomik, Kamaljakmora, all kinds of gongs, Rangkilding, Rangbong, Nogri etc.
- Aerophone: Wind instruments, whose sound come from air vibrating inside a pipe when is blown –Adil, Singga, Sanai, Kal, Bolbijak, Illep or Illip, Olongna, Tarabeng, Imbanggi, Akok or Dakok, Bangsi rosi, Tilara or Taragaku, Bangsi mande, Otekra, Wa·pepe or Wa·pek.
- Chordophone: Stringed instrument – Dotrong, Sarenda, Chigring, Dimchrang or Kimjim, Gongmima or Gonggina.
- Membranophone: Which have skins or membranes stretched over a frame – Am·beng Dama, Chisak Dama, Atong Dama, Garaganching Dama, Ruga and Chibok Dama, Dual-Matchi Dama, Nagra, Kram etc
[edit] References
- ^ Official Homepage of Meghalaya State of India
- ^ Gan-Chaudhuri, Jagadis. Tripura: The Land and its People. (Delhi: Leeladevi Publications, 1980) p. 10
- ^ Academic study about personal names in Garo villages
- ^ Culture section in the official Garo Hills area
[edit] External links
- Official site of Meghalaya State of India
- East Garo Hills District official website
- West Garo Hills District official website
- South Garo Hills District official website
- Ethnologue entry for Garo
- Garo people
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