History, traditions and heritage of the indigenous communities of the Madhupur Garh region are seemingly under threat. Initiatives to preserve and uphold these traditions and cultural elements have been few and far between. However, a mini museum has been set up at the Telki area under Madhupur upazila in Tangail recently with an intention of safeguarding the history and traditions of the local indigenous groups.

Semp, a local non-governmental organisation working towards the development of the indigenous communities, has established the museum that houses around 80 traditional items used by the Garo (also known as Mandi), Koch and Hajong communities.

Around 35,000 people -- belonging to the Garo, Koch and Hajong communities -- live in Madhupur Garh region which is sprawled out across the Sal forests of Madhupur, Ghatail, Sakhipur, Mirzapur, Phoolbaria and Bhaluka upazilas of Tangail and Mymensingh districts. Of them, around 25,000 are from the Garo community.

As the Garo society is matriarchal, women of this community are significantly more diligent and confident than their male counterparts.

The biggest celebration of the Garos is the annual wangala, where they dedicate the crops to their gods, amidst much merriment.

The traditional Garo religion has a lot in common with shamanism. Hence the idea of "healing" -- with herbal medicines and rituals to drive away evil spirits -- is quite popular among the Garo.

Over the years, due to mass conversion to Christianity, the traditional lifestyle, clothes, and food habit of the Garos are now on the verge of extinction.

Traditions and heritage of the Koch and Hajong communities -- who worship nature -- have also come under threat as the forests are being depleted.

The Semp project is currently the only initiative to preserve the traditions of these indigenous communities. The modest museum at Madhupur forest has on display household utensils, clothes, hunting weapons, musical instruments and more.

A nokmandi, a traditional Garo hut, standing next to the collections is the highlight. A nursery with around 300 kinds of plants surrounds the museum.

Robi Khan, chairman of Semp and founder of the museum, told this correspondent that they are trying to preserve the traditions of the indigenous communities of the Madhupur Garh region.

A new building for the museum is under construction at the site, he added.