Garo Traditional Weaving Meghalaya

The Garo tribe of Meghalaya has a rich handloom weaving tradition on simple backstrap looms, producing distinctively patterned cotton and silk textiles used as traditional dress, ceremonial cloth, and household items. The Garo dakmanda (skirt), gamcha (towel), and nokmansi (waist cloth) feature bold stripes and geometric motifs in red, black, and white. Women are the primary weavers, using both wild eri silk and cultivated cotton. The A'Ching shawl woven with geometric diamond patterns is a community prestige cloth. The Garo Hills Autonomous District Council and Meghalaya government support weavers through cooperative societies and the Meghalaya Basin Development Authority. Garo textiles are sold at the Wangala harvest festival market and through SHG cooperatives in Tura and Williamnagar.