This pestle is an age-old domestic and agricultural tool of the Garo tribe, one of the leading tribal communities in Meghalaya of Northeast India. The implements are nothing but a cylindrical wooden rod suitably worked from strong local wood throughout its length, having uniform width.
Primarily for the job of pounding grains like rice or millets, this pestle assumes an important role during food preparation and processing in Garo households. Generally, this pestle is used in conjunction with a wooden or stone mortar, being operated fully manually. Due to its well-balanced cylindrical body, gripping and pounding rhythmically becomes more comfortable. The tribe pursues subsistence agriculture and shifting cultivation, and daily agricultural and home life requires tools like these pestles. Beyond utility, the designs represent self-reliance, craftsmanship, and intimate knowledge of the natural resources available in their territory.