Communities
The Garo people
The A·chik people of the western hills: Wangala drummers, matrilineal farmers of the Telang.
The Garo call themselves A·chik and dominate the western half of Meghalaya, speaking a Tibeto-Burman language. Traditionally matrilineal like their Khasi neighbours, their great festival is Wangala, the post-harvest thanksgiving to the sun god Misi Saljong, famous for the hundred-drum gatherings.
Garo country runs from Tura to the Balpakram plateau, whose spirit-lore is central to Garo belief.
At a glance
The Garo people essentials
Language
Garo/A·chik (Tibeto-Burman family)
Signature craft
Dakmanda weave, bamboo, the a·bing dance formations
Festivals
Time a trip around them
Etiquette
Meet them respectfully
Ask before photographing people or rituals, dress modestly at festivals and ceremonies, accept hospitality graciously, and let local hosts lead. Culture here is lived, not performed: curiosity with manners opens every door.
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