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Coordinates: 25°30′N 90°20′E / 25.500°N 90.333°E / 25.500; 90.333
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The society is matrilineal like the Khasis and the Jaintias. Till death, the new-born baby belongs to the mother's family, irrespective of sex, even after\r\nmarriage. Marriage within the clan is completely prohibited and severely punishablefor both the Khasis and the Garos. Till now, the institution of Bachelors Dormitories which is gradually disappearing amongst the tribes of North Eastern Region, are found in the Garo villages. In such dormitories young people stay and live together till they are married. They receive various training in the dormitories like protection of crops, construction of roads, organising festivals, sports and ceremonies. The Khasis and Garos are now mostly Christians. But before that, they used to pray natural objects<ref>http://shillong.com/content/people-meghalaya</ref>
The society is matrilineal like the Khasis and the Jaintias. Till death, the new-born baby belongs to the mother's family, irrespective of sex, even after\r\nmarriage. Marriage within the clan is completely prohibited and severely punishablefor both the Khasis and the Garos. Till now, the institution of Bachelors Dormitories which is gradually disappearing amongst the tribes of North Eastern Region, are found in the Garo villages. In such dormitories young people stay and live together till they are married. They receive various training in the dormitories like protection of crops, construction of roads, organising festivals, sports and ceremonies. The Khasis and Garos are now mostly Christians. But before that, they used to pray natural objects<ref>http://shillong.com/content/people-meghalaya</ref>

Garo Hills comprises 3 districts. Tura is the largest town with a population of about 70,000 located at the foothills of often cloud covered Tura peak. The town is centrally located to other popular game/wild life sanctuaries in the district such as Balpakram and Nokrek, natural caves (the [[Siju cave]] being one of the longest in Asia). These places are rich reserves of natural flora and fauna.<ref>{{cite book|last=Karlsson|first=Bengt G.|title=Unruly hills : a political ecology of India's northeast|year=2010|publisher=Berghahn Books|location=New York|isbn=0857451049}}</ref>


Garo Hills known for its abundance of wildlife attracts naturalists and photographers to capture the multifaceted sights of a unique range of flora and fauna. Two mountain ranges - the Arabella range and the Tura range, pass through the Garo Hills, forming the great Balpakram valley in between. The headquarter town of Tura is 323&nbsp;km via Guwahati, at an altitude of 657&nbsp;km. The highest point in the Garo Hills is Nokrek Peak with elevation of 1412 m.<ref>{{cite book|last=Bhargava|first=ed. S.C. Bhatt, Gopal K.|title=Meghalaya.|year=2006|publisher=Kalpaz publ.|location=Delhi|isbn=8178353741}}</ref>
Garo Hills known for its abundance of wildlife attracts naturalists and photographers to capture the multifaceted sights of a unique range of flora and fauna. Two mountain ranges - the Arabella range and the Tura range, pass through the Garo Hills, forming the great Balpakram valley in between. The headquarter town of Tura is 323&nbsp;km via Guwahati, at an altitude of 657&nbsp;km. The highest point in the Garo Hills is Nokrek Peak with elevation of 1412 m.<ref>{{cite book|last=Bhargava|first=ed. S.C. Bhatt, Gopal K.|title=Meghalaya.|year=2006|publisher=Kalpaz publ.|location=Delhi|isbn=8178353741}}</ref>


Tura has an amazing landscape of hills against a backdrop of low-lying plains.<ref>{{cite book|title=West garo hills.|year=2010|publisher=General Books|location=[S.l.]|isbn=1158715633}}</ref> A sunset view can be best seen from Tura Peak at 1,400 m and its summit can be reached by a 5&nbsp;km trek, partly by hiking and also by rock-climbing.
Tura has an amazing landscape of hills against a backdrop of low-lying plains.<ref>{{cite book|title=West garo hills.|year=2010|publisher=General Books|location=[S.l.]|isbn=1158715633}}</ref> A sunset view can be best seen from Tura Peak at 1,400 m and its summit can be reached by a 5&nbsp;km trek, partly by hiking and also by rock-climbing.

==Places of Interest==
These are locations in and around Garo Hills which are tourist spots. These include:

*'''Jowai''': Jowai, the headquarters of the Jaintia Hills district is situated 64 Kms away from the national highway. A picturesque town circled by the majestic Myntdu River.
*'''Thadlaskein Lake''': 56 kms from Shillong. According to legend this lake was dug with the ends of bows by
members of 290 clans of USajiar Niangli, a rebel general of Jaintia Raja, to commemorate the great exodus of the clans.
*'''Megalithic Remnants- Nartiang''': 65 Kms from Shillong, was the summer capital of the Jaintia Kings, of Sutnga State. Huge monoliths, form the striking landmark of the village. The Nartiang menhir measures 27 feet 6 inches in thickness.
*'''Syndai''': An important village of Jaintia Hills which is famous for a number of caves and caverns in the limestone-borne area, used as hide-outs during war times between Jaintia Hills and foreign intruders.
*'''Syntu Ksiar''': Syntu Ksiar, which means 'golden flower' is a vast pool of calm water, where the river Myntdu which almost encircles Jowai, appears to come to a sudden halt providing a remarkably beautiful scene.
Tourist Places in Garo Hills
*'''Nokrek Peak''': The highest point of the Garo Hills region of the State, Nokrek Peak stands 1412 metres above sea level. The mother germo plasm of Citrus-indica
have been discovered by science researchers withinNokrek Range. This discovery
led to the establishment of the National CitrusGene Sanctuary-cum-Biosphere Reserve at Nokrek
covering an area of forty sevensquare kilometres.
*'''Tura Peak''': A majestic hill stands on the eastern flankof Tura, the largest town in the Garo Hills region of the State. It peaks 872metres above sea level. A tourist-bungalow, an observatory and aCinchona-plantation are located at Tura Peak and its environs.
*'''Imilchang Dare''': This waterfall is located close to the Tura-Chokpot Road in West Garo Hills district. The deep, wide pool at the bottomof the fall with its wide and expansive surroundings make it an excitingswimming pool, full of fish of varied size and colour.
*'''Balpakram''': A National Wildlife Park, located in SouthGaro Hills and 167 Kms from Tura. It is home to the rare Lesser Panda, the Indian bison and the Stag like Serow. A variety of medicinal herbs locally called "dikges" grow abundantly in Balpakram.
*'''Naphak Lake''': Located at a distance of 112 Kms from Tura, ideal for fishing and bird watching with the river Simsang flowing nearby.
*'''Siju Caves''': The famous limestone caves of Siju are located near Naphak Lake.


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 11:13, 20 October 2012

The Garo Hills are part of the Garo-Khasi range in Meghalaya, India.[1] They are inhabited mainly by tribal dwellers, the majority of whom are Garo people. Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, is located in this range.[2] It is one of the wettest places in the world. The range is part of the Meghalaya subtropical forests ecoregion.[3] [4]

People who reside in the Garo Hills are known as the Garos. Besides the Garo hills, there are Garo settlements in the plains of Assam and Bangladesh. The Garos call themselves Achik-mande. In the Garo language Achik means Hills and mande, Man. So, Achik-mande means the Hills people.

Society

The traditional Garo female dress is a piece of cloth around the waist and a blouse or vest. The men usually wear, in addition to cloth, a turban. Males and females both wear bangles and earrings. The chief meals of the Garos consist of rice with onions, capsicum and salt thrice a day. Practically all types of animal foods are taken. The liquor is not distilled, but prepared by brewing food grains.

The society is matrilineal like the Khasis and the Jaintias. Till death, the new-born baby belongs to the mother's family, irrespective of sex, even after\r\nmarriage. Marriage within the clan is completely prohibited and severely punishablefor both the Khasis and the Garos. Till now, the institution of Bachelors Dormitories which is gradually disappearing amongst the tribes of North Eastern Region, are found in the Garo villages. In such dormitories young people stay and live together till they are married. They receive various training in the dormitories like protection of crops, construction of roads, organising festivals, sports and ceremonies. The Khasis and Garos are now mostly Christians. But before that, they used to pray natural objects[5]

Garo Hills known for its abundance of wildlife attracts naturalists and photographers to capture the multifaceted sights of a unique range of flora and fauna. Two mountain ranges - the Arabella range and the Tura range, pass through the Garo Hills, forming the great Balpakram valley in between. The headquarter town of Tura is 323 km via Guwahati, at an altitude of 657 km. The highest point in the Garo Hills is Nokrek Peak with elevation of 1412 m.[6]

Tura has an amazing landscape of hills against a backdrop of low-lying plains.[7] A sunset view can be best seen from Tura Peak at 1,400 m and its summit can be reached by a 5 km trek, partly by hiking and also by rock-climbing.

Places of Interest

These are locations in and around Garo Hills which are tourist spots. These include:

  • Jowai: Jowai, the headquarters of the Jaintia Hills district is situated 64 Kms away from the national highway. A picturesque town circled by the majestic Myntdu River.
  • Thadlaskein Lake: 56 kms from Shillong. According to legend this lake was dug with the ends of bows by

members of 290 clans of USajiar Niangli, a rebel general of Jaintia Raja, to commemorate the great exodus of the clans.

  • Megalithic Remnants- Nartiang: 65 Kms from Shillong, was the summer capital of the Jaintia Kings, of Sutnga State. Huge monoliths, form the striking landmark of the village. The Nartiang menhir measures 27 feet 6 inches in thickness.
  • Syndai: An important village of Jaintia Hills which is famous for a number of caves and caverns in the limestone-borne area, used as hide-outs during war times between Jaintia Hills and foreign intruders.
  • Syntu Ksiar: Syntu Ksiar, which means 'golden flower' is a vast pool of calm water, where the river Myntdu which almost encircles Jowai, appears to come to a sudden halt providing a remarkably beautiful scene.

Tourist Places in Garo Hills

  • Nokrek Peak: The highest point of the Garo Hills region of the State, Nokrek Peak stands 1412 metres above sea level. The mother germo plasm of Citrus-indica

have been discovered by science researchers withinNokrek Range. This discovery led to the establishment of the National CitrusGene Sanctuary-cum-Biosphere Reserve at Nokrek covering an area of forty sevensquare kilometres.

  • Tura Peak: A majestic hill stands on the eastern flankof Tura, the largest town in the Garo Hills region of the State. It peaks 872metres above sea level. A tourist-bungalow, an observatory and aCinchona-plantation are located at Tura Peak and its environs.
  • Imilchang Dare: This waterfall is located close to the Tura-Chokpot Road in West Garo Hills district. The deep, wide pool at the bottomof the fall with its wide and expansive surroundings make it an excitingswimming pool, full of fish of varied size and colour.
  • Balpakram: A National Wildlife Park, located in SouthGaro Hills and 167 Kms from Tura. It is home to the rare Lesser Panda, the Indian bison and the Stag like Serow. A variety of medicinal herbs locally called "dikges" grow abundantly in Balpakram.
  • Naphak Lake: Located at a distance of 112 Kms from Tura, ideal for fishing and bird watching with the river Simsang flowing nearby.
  • Siju Caves: The famous limestone caves of Siju are located near Naphak Lake.

References

  1. ^ "Garo Hills-The Ecological Canvas of Meghalaya".
  2. ^ Subba, T.B. (2003). The anthropology of North-East India. Hyderabad: Orient Longman. ISBN 8125023356. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ Joshi, H.G. (2004). Meghalaya : past and present (1st ed. ed.). New Delhi: Mittal Publications. ISBN 8170999804. {{cite book}}: |edition= has extra text (help)
  4. ^ Alila, edited by V.B. Singh, K. Akali Sema, Pauline (2006). Horticulture for sustainable income and environmental protection. New Delhi: Concept Pub. Co. ISBN 8180692213. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ http://shillong.com/content/people-meghalaya
  6. ^ Bhargava, ed. S.C. Bhatt, Gopal K. (2006). Meghalaya. Delhi: Kalpaz publ. ISBN 8178353741. {{cite book}}: |first= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ West garo hills. [S.l.]: General Books. 2010. ISBN 1158715633.

See also

25°30′N 90°20′E / 25.500°N 90.333°E / 25.500; 90.333


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