Kima Songa, West Garo Hills

Kima Songa is a traditional Garo totem or memorial post that is built in memory and honour of a dead family member. This is done mostly after the funeral ceremony. The Kima Songa is usually placed in the front yard of the house. The posts are carved in human form to depict the dead person and then it is festooned with the clothes and belongings of the deceased.

It shows the immense respect that the Garos have towards their family members, and they never believe in forgetting one who has passed away. The totems are built to symbolize that the one who has passed away shall forever be in their hearts.

Kima Songa can be seen at most typical Garo villages in the Garo Hills district of Meghalaya. The easiest way to reach the Garo hills is by booking a tourist vehicle from Shillong, that lies in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya.