The district of South West Garo Hills is inhabited by the Garos, the Kochs and the Hajongs.
GAROS: The Garos form the second largest tribe in the state of Meghalaya. They are one of the last remaining matrilineal tribes in the world. Their main festival is the Wangala festival, a harvest festival- which is predominantly celebrated by the Songsareks (those following traditional religion of animism). However, this festival is collectively displayed in the 100 Drums’ Wangala Festival held every year in West Garo Hills district in the first week of November.
KOCHS: The Koch people were originally animists, however now, most follow the Hindu religion. Their language has been listed as definitely endangered by UNESCO. The Koch people has contributed to the construction of temples in South West Garo Hills district, such as Chenga Benga temple at Gandhipara, and Maa Kamakhya Temple at Thakuranbari ( By the great Koch King Narayana).
HAJONGS: Like the Kochs, the Hajongs also follow the Hindu religion and mainly worship the deities Kali and Kamakhya. They speak the jharua dialect of Assamese or the Mymensingh dialect of East Bengal.