Diverse Bamboo Species: A Garo Tribe’s Perspectives on Bamboo Shoots and Their Culinary Traditions

Abstract

With rising population pressure, bamboo-rich habitats in Meghalaya face increased harvesting, making the identification, assessment, and monitoring of these ecosystems essential to their protection. Locals rely on bamboo for construction, handicrafts, agriculture, and fishing implements. A comprehensive study on bamboo diversity was undertaken across five districts of Garo Hills, Meghalaya, India, to document different bamboo species in terms of vernacular names, morphological characteristics and traditional food uses. Using participatory rural appraisal (PRA), focus-group discussions and household surveys, the result highlighted the importance of bamboo in daily life, food culture and economy of the tribal people of Garo Hills. Bamboo shoots, regarded as a delicacy in their tradition, form an integral part of traditional diet, festival and trade, providing a vital source of income during monsoon season when other food resources are scarce. This study catalogued different bamboo species found in region and presented the traditional practices of processing and cooking, thereby underscoring both cultural and economic significance, further emphasizes the need to protect indigenous knowledge and bamboo habitats to ensure the sustainability of livelihoods for future generations.