Garo tribes are located mainly in Burdwan district, Meghalaya, Cooch Bihar, Jalpaiguri and and Dinajpur of West Bengal. They are also scattered in Karbi Anglong Goalpara, Kamrup and Districts of Assam, Nagaland. The Garo tribes are also known as Achik. Maximum of these Garo tribes are the ardent followers of Christianity.

As per their earlier history, the Garos came to Meghalaya before 400 (BC) years from Tibet. They settled in the Valley of Brahmaputra River. The main language spoken by these tribes is Garo, also known as Garrow and Mande. The Garo language belongs to the Bodo branch of the Bodo-Naga-Kachin family of the Sino-Tibetan phylum. As the Garo language is not traditionally written down, customs, traditions, and beliefs are handed down orally. It is also believed that the written language was lost in its transit to the present Garo Hills. The Garo language has several divisions that are used among the Garos residing in each corner of India and abroad. The sub groups of Garo languages are known as Chibok, Megam, matabeng, ruga, Achik, ganching, Abeng, Atong, Dual, matchi, gara, etc. Among these sub languages, Achik is used by the Garos of India while the Garos of Bangladesh converse in Abeng. Since the Garo language is not conventionally written down, customs, traditions, and beliefs are being passed on their generations almost verbally. The Garo language has some resemblance with languages like Rava, Kok-Borok, Boro-Kachari and Dimasa.

There are a huge section of Garo populace who has followed Baptism and Roman Catholicism. These Garo tribes follow almost all the rituals associated with this religion. Few of these Garo tribes are `Seventh-day Adventists, Anglicans` and the rest belong to some of the newly formed `denominations`. Following the tradition of most of the tribes of the region, there are several of Garo tribes who still follow their conventional Animist-Hindu norms and customs.

The Garo tribal society is considered to be one of the handfuls of matrilineal societies that have existed till date in the world panorama. Similar to the tradition of all the matrilineal societies, the Garo people get the `clan titles` from the lineage of their mothers. Thus, it needs no mentioning that the status of the women in Garo society is quite high. So much so, that they have the rights of inheritance. To be specific, the youngest daughter, locally known as `nakma`, inherits the property that her mother possessed.

Dormitory plays an important part in Garo society. At puberty, al the Garo boys, are not allowed to remain in their homes of their parents. They are sent to the bachelor dorms, better known as `nokpante`, so that they can receive training and education. Marriage is also an important institution of Garo society and as per norm of matrilineal society, after marriage, the grooms go and live in the house of his bride.

The general and customary festivities are, of course, those linked with farming operations. One of the most significant among Garo festivals is the Wangala, which is a festivity of thanksgiving after harvesting. During the festival, the people worship the Saljong, the deity who supplies to the human society with Nature`s amplitudes and assures their prosperity. There is no permanent time for the celebration.

In fact the Garo tribes residing in different villages fete these festivals according to their own convenience and whish. Generally, the Wangala festival is celebrated in the month of October. This festival is celebrated with playing flute and drums and the beautiful men and women dance with the tune of tribal songs. Preparations start beforehand and the `Nokma of the village` supervise the whole arrangement that the Garo villagers have done on their own hands. Feasting is an integral part and a huge quantity of food and rice-beer are being made well ahead. The culmination of the celebration approaches when the colourful Wangala dance is being performed. Both the males and females participate in great enthusiasm in their best of their clothes.

The Garo people are very fond of music and dance. Among the various types of songs that are performed by the Garo people are Pandu Dolong, Serejing, Nangorere, etc. Moreover, Mi Sua, Napsepgrika, Kambe Toa, Gaewang Roa, Ajema Roa, Chambil Moa, Dokru Sua etc are the different dance forms of the Garo tribes. The Garos use different types of musical instruments like Chordophone, Aerophone, Idiophones and Membranophone.