Garo Dao

 

 

The Garo, one of the principal tribal peoples of Northeast India, primarily inhabit the Garo Hills in present-day Meghalaya. In the 19th century, British ethnographic accounts described them as a matrilineal society with distinctive cultural practices. Known for their physical vigor and agricultural skills, the Garo practiced shifting cultivation (jhum) and excelled in hunting.
Historical records indicate that they engaged in headhunting as part of their war rituals and spiritual beliefs. This practice was associated with their quest for prestige, paying homage to ancestors, and appeasing deities, as they believed that the heads of enemies possessed spiritual power. Their spiritual beliefs were rooted in animism, venerating nature and ancestral spirits, although the late 19th century saw the influence of Christian missionaries introducing new religious practices.

 

 

Two Garo warriors (left: A. Playfair, 1909; right: Joseph C. Robbins, 1929)

 

 

The Garo sword, known as the Milam, Garo dao, or Darai, is distinguished by its unique shape and design. Forged from a single piece of steel, it features an S-shaped handle, often wrapped with rattan braiding for improved grip. The guard consists of a simple iron rod running through the handle, typically adorned at its ends with tufts of hair from a cow or yak tail. Two small protrusions between the guard and the blade add to its distinctive character. The blade itself is straight, double-edged, and diamond-shaped in cross-section, with the final section being flat and culminating in a central point, a particularly unusual detail. An identical sword, dated to the 19th century, is cataloged under number XXVIS.244 on the Royal Armouries website in Leeds.

 

 

Our example, dating from the late 19th or early 20th century, is remarkably well-preserved, likely due to a varnish that has protected its surface (subtle traces are visible around the guard hole). The blade shows slight laminations along its length, reflecting the quality of its craftsmanship. While it has minor oxidation, the blade remains in excellent condition, with wear primarily evident at the tip, indicative of practical use.