Transformation of Garo Religion in Bangladesh An Overview

Abstract

The central focus of this article is to analyze Garo religion and its transformation  in Bangladesh. Accordingly, the study highlights on Garos changing religious beliefs and practices that had been transforming for the last many decades, and having a direct influence on their lives and cultural situation. Traditional Garos‟ religious beliefs and practices was very unique where they believed in animistic types of faith called Sangsarek but later, they have been converted to Christianity. Following the traditional Sangsarek religion, Garo used to believe in Mites/Middis and offered amoya to several spirits. Case studies, observations, FGDs and interview methods have been utilized to collect the ethnographic data from the Garos of Modhupur of Tangail District. It is found that almost all the
Garos have been converted from Sangsarek to Christianity and lost many of their traditional religious traits and adopted Christan features but still practicing some of their traditional religious rituals that represent their traditional Garo culture in Bangladesh.