The Garo People: Gibbon Guardians of India

In the northeastern part of India, one cannot miss the lush green expanse of Garo Hills on the map, a region in Meghalaya where rich evergreen forests thrive. But beyond the forest canopy lies a story that intertwines humanity and nature, presenting a narrative of coexistence between the indigenous A’chik mande (widely known as Garos), and the Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock), India’s only non-human ape. Seen from above, this green patch on India’s map is more than just a natural landmark—it’s a living testament to balance and respect, a landscape where culture and conservation sustain one another. Garo Hills is also the western most frontier of the global gibbon range and is a healthy stronghold for these unique apes.

Traditional Beliefs on Gibbon in Garo Hills, Meghalaya, India

In this region traditional Garo beliefs about the Hoolock hoolock, known as ‘Huro’, are prevalent in the numerous villages of Garo Hills. While hunting taboos are consistent, myths and stories may differ among villages and occasionally between clans. These myths and legends reveal a strong spiritual connection between the Garo people and gibbons. According to Garo oral history, their community has upheld a strict prohibition, known as ‘asi namja,’ on hunting gibbons since their migration from Tibet to Meghalaya around a millennium ago.

This rule is enforced by the Nokma, the village chief, and a council of elders. Any harm caused to gibbons, even accidentally, is viewed as a bad omen. Breaking this traditional law is thought to bring about a curse, known as ‘marang,’ on the land, leading to natural calamities, severe weather conditions, and ultimately barren soil.

Documenting the stories of gibbons and siamang across Asia is a core mission of the  IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group Section on Small Apes .