Changing dimensions of rice in garo foodways

The Garos, a matrilineal tribe from northeast india, are traditionally known to be shifting cultivators. They are known to cultivate a number of crops, inclusive of cereals, tubers, leafy vegetables, fruits and shrubs in their plots as a part of multiple cropping, of which rice is the most important crop both in terms of prestige and value. Garos are known to grow different traditional varieties of rice possessing diverse properties. This paper is an attempt to look into the present status of traditional rice vis-à-vis newly introduced rice in the Garo economy and foodways. The economic pressures and competition of the newly introduced market economy will be looked at in detail. It will try also to study the role of economic and political forces that aid and abet the changing dimensions of rice in the society. For the purpose of the paper, the Garos of Gohalkona, a village in Kamrup district in Assam will be specifically looked at.