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As has already been stated, the Garo is essentially an agriculturist. Except for weaving of cloth by the womenfolk, which is a common practice all over Assam, both hills and plains, and making of some bamboo and cane mats, dugouts and boats and rudimentary implements of metal, they have hardly any cottage industries. But the district is rich in mineral resources particularly coal of high grade.
A thermal power station has been set up at Nangalbibra near the Khasi Hills border, near which extraction of coal on a commercial scale is undertaken. If the district is connected by rail there is the possibility of an industrial complex growing up around this area which would alter the entire complexion of the district and the character of the people.
Along with drinking, dancing to the accompaniment of music produced by buflalo horn singas,
bamboo flutes and drums is also an integral part of all religious ceremonies and social functions. The men dance sword and shield in hand, interspersing the bodily movements with shouts of Kai, Kai. Men and women dance together in some dances and separately in others.
Garo dances are however rather tame compared with those of the Nagas or even the Lushais.
The only musical instruments used are those mentioned above, namely drums, wind instruments made of horn or bamboo, brass gongs and cymbals.
Besides drinking and dancing they have hardly any other form of communal amusements, games being generally trials of physical strength only and not of skill or dexterity. Hunting and fishing are popular but hunting is hardly ever done with weapons. The usual method is to set traps which are often dangerous to human beings. In catching fish which is their favourite item of food, the Garos use similar methods of trapping by building weirs across streams and rivers, but in the Someswari river one comes across the sight of Garos killing fish in running water with spears made of bamboo. The Garos of this area are experts in this form of fishing.
Naga Chilli
Rice is the main food and it is eaten three times a day. So far as animal food is concerned the Garos eat almost everything—goats, pigs, fowls, ducks, dogs, cats, snakes, lizards, bats, and even flying white-ants. Elephant's flesh is highly prized. The only line drawn is at the Tiger's flesh. Dried fish called nakam is a daily dish.
A local Naga Market
As with the other hill-tribes, drink is an indispensable part of life, although Christianity is interfering with it perhaps to an undesirable extent. The liquor is not distilled but is always brewed out of rice, maize or millet. Apart from its daily use, drinking in profuse quantities is a must in religious ceremonies and at feasts, the prestige of a nokma or any other person of importance being dependent on the quality and quantity of drinks served on such occasions in addition to the abundance of solids.
