article

Garo of Bangladesh: religion, ritual and world view

Contributions to Southeast Asian ethnography • Singapore • Published In 1988 • Pages: 129-156

By: Khaleque, Kibriaul.

Abstract

This is a very good overview of Garo religion. It includes discussions of supernatural beings (MITE), belief in souls, creation myths, sacrifice, festivals, music and dance, musical instruments, funerary practices, and religious syncretism. MITE are responsible for creating the world and controlling nature, health, wealth, and happiness. They are both good and bad and need to be propitiated. Most illnesses are attributed to one MITE or another and curing ceremonies involve identifying the MITE and making the appropriate sacrifice. The dead are cremated and the village priest (KAMAL) recites incantations to aid the soul on its way to the land of the dead (CHIKMANG.) A mortuary post (KIMA) is erected outside the deceased's house to guide the soul back home in the case of reincarnation. Village festivals are associated with the different stages of swidden cultivation and the village head (NOKMA) is responsible for carrying out the sacrifices. Although most Garo have forgone celebrating traditional village festivals, even Christians continue to carry out the traditional funerary feasting, singing, and dancing.

HRAF PubDate

1999

Region

Asia

Sub Region

South Asia

Document Type

article

Evaluation

Creator Type

Sociologist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Ian Skoggard ; 1998

Field Date

1979-1983

Coverage Date

1950-1983

Coverage Place

Mymensingh District, Bangladesh

Notes

Kibriaul Khaleque

Includes bibliographical references (p. 156)

LCCN

sn 84010468

LCSH

Garo (Indic people)