MATCHAKOL, Nongalbibra - Patalgittim

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

Matchakol … This cave is situated just near the Patalgittim village [note 1] near Nongalbibra [note 2]. It is a small cave with a depth of about 3 to 4 kilometres [note 3], connecting Simsang River. The entrance of this cave is very narrow. Thousands of bats live here [note 4]. The legend says that in ancient days when men fought with the tigers, hundreds of tigers escaped from being killed by taking refuge inside this cave (MARAK, J L R 2000: 19). ETYMOLOGY: More often than not, the Garo cave name -Matchakol- (MARAK, J L R 2000) translates as Tiger Cave (note 5). CAVE POTENTIAL:This is as yet an unexplored and unmapped cave (KHARPRAN DALY 2006: 73). CAVE LIFE: Not only legendary hundreds of tigers (MARAK, J L R 2000: 19) but also, perhaps, even a fascinating if not thrilling bat or two (Chiroptera).Matchakol … This cave is situated just near the Patalgittim village [note 1] near Nongalbibra [note 2]. It is a small cave with a depth of about 3 to 4 kilometres [note 3], connecting Simsang River. The entrance of this cave is very narrow. Thousands of bats live here [note 4]. The legend says that in ancient days when men fought with the tigers, hundreds of tigers escaped from being killed by taking refuge inside this cave (MARAK, J L R 2000: 19). ETYMOLOGY: More often than not, the Garo cave name -Matchakol- (MARAK, J L R 2000) translates as Tiger Cave (note 5). CAVE POTENTIAL:This is as yet an unexplored and unmapped cave (KHARPRAN DALY 2006: 73). CAVE LIFE: Not only legendary hundreds of tigers (MARAK, J L R 2000: 19) but also, perhaps, even a fascinating if not thrilling bat or two (Chiroptera).