Garo Wedding

The Land and the People

Garo weddings are held by the Garo tribe. The Garo people mainly live in the Garo Hills of Meghalaya. Many also live in nearby parts of Assam, Tripura and Bangladesh. The Garo Hills are full of green forests, rivers and rolling hills. The Garos are known for their strong tribal identity and their love of music and dance.

Most Garos today are Christians, and a smaller group follows the old Songsarek faith. Weddings can be different in these two groups. The Christian Garos have church weddings, and the Songsarek Garos follow old tribal rituals. Both groups keep some old customs that make their weddings special.

How Long the Wedding Lasts

A traditional Garo wedding takes about one to three days. Church weddings are usually held in one day, with a feast after the service. The families spend much time on talks before the wedding, and the wedding itself is a joyful day for the village.

Important Customs

Garo society is matrilineal, which means the family name and property pass through the mother. This makes Garo weddings different from most other weddings in India. The family chooses one daughter, often the youngest, to inherit the property. She stays in her mother’s home and takes care of her parents when they grow old. She is called the Nokna.

In old times, the girl’s family usually chose the groom and made the proposal. This is the opposite of what happens in most Indian communities. The groom then moved to the bride’s home after the wedding. Marriage within the same clan is not allowed. The Garos are divided into clans, and a person must marry someone from a different clan. The elders check this with care.

Before the Wedding

The two families meet and agree on the match. The elders of both sides talk about the young man and woman, and they discuss the plan for the wedding. If both families are happy, a date is chosen. Friends and neighbours are invited. The village begins to prepare for the big day.

The Wedding Day

A feast is held with rice beer, meat and local dishes. Rice beer is an important part of Garo celebrations, and it is served in bamboo cups. The meat may be pork, chicken or fish, and it is cooked in simple ways with local herbs. The food is shared by the whole village. Drums and dances are played during the celebration. The Garo drum is called Dama, and it is played with a stick. The dancers move in groups in time with the drums.

Christian couples also have a wedding service in the church. The pastor reads prayers, and the couple exchanges vows and rings. The church choir sings hymns. After the service, the guests join the wedding feast.

Clothes and Jewelry

The bride wears the traditional Dakmanda, a cloth wrapped around the body, with colourful beads. The Dakmanda is woven in bright colours and patterns. She may also wear a headband, earrings and a long string of beads. The groom wears a simple traditional dress or a suit. Christian Garo brides often wear a white gown for the church service.

Food, Music and Fun

Traditionally, there is no dowry in Garo weddings. The family of the bride does not have to pay money to the groom’s family. This is an important tradition, and it shows respect for women in Garo society. The feast is a happy gathering, where people eat, drink, sing and dance. Garo weddings are simple and full of joy, and they show the strength of family and community.