Rights and Responsibilities of Chra in the Garo Society as Reflected in Garo Literature

This paper will bring to understand the responsibilities of chra-depante in the socio-political system of the Garos. Though the Garo society follows the matrilineal system yet the male wields greater power in exercising power in the society. The property belongs to a daughter who is known as nokna (heiress). The husband of the nokna is called nokkrom. If the mother of the nokna is A‧king nokma, then she (nokna) becomes the A‧king Nokma. A daughter is the heiress to the parents’ property but her husband or Nokkrom exercises his power on behalf of his wife. The Garos follow the matrilineal system of inheritance and descent but not matriarchal.The society is ruled by the Nokma but the chra-depantes or the male relatives of the heiress have the final authority in decision making. A chra is either a maternal uncle or a brother or a male cousin of thenokna. However, the maternal uncles of the nokna usually wield more power then her brothers. In certain cases, when the nokna or the heiress is found to be undeserving,the chras collectively play an important role in decision making as to to whom among the daughters the heirloom will be given.The chras have the authority to withdraw the Nokmaship, if the nokma is found to be undeserving. The Garo Hills Autonomous District Council cannot register Nokmaship without the consent and agreement of the chras. This paper aims to highlight the duties and responsibilities of a chra, his roles and functions, and the A‧jikse a‧king or a plot of land given to chra by the clan in return for his work and sacrificed for the clan or ma‧chong.