Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has announced plans to set up a Garo Heritage Village in West Garo Hills district to promote and boost tourism in the state.
It will be a museum showcasing the tradition and culture of the Garo community in the Chibragre area of Tura in West Garo Hills district. CM Conrad Sangma made this announcement during the famous 'Wangala Hundred Drum Festival' celebrated by the Garo tribe every year.
The Garo are among the few remaining matrilineal societies in the world and people take their clan title from their mother. According to tribal traditions, the youngest daughter inherits property from her mother, while sons have to leave their parents' home upon reaching puberty. Later, the men get training at a place called Nokpante (BachelorsHouse) and after marriage they live in their wife's house.
Women are not allowed to enter the nokpante and if a woman breaks this rule she is considered tainted or marang nangjok. However, these are now obsolete practices, and children are given equal rights.