Thursday 17 July 2014

The Tribes of Assam




Introduction to the tribes of Assam:

 


Assam has many tribes from the very fast day of civilization. The tribes are mainly of “Mongulia” species. The characteristic of this Mongulia species are:”They are of white or yellow color, black haired, have small beard and have little hair in the body. These characteristics are seen mostly in all tribes of Assam. The people of the tribes are of medium height.
The main tribes of Assam are: Rabha, Tiwa, Karbi, Bodo, kachari, Sonowal Kachari, Diamasa, Deori, Mech, Mising and Kuki etc. In the census of 1971,the tribes has a percent of 11 in the total population of Assam.
Origin of the tribes of Assam:
The language of these tribes is mainly from the family of Tibbeto Burma. The Great scholars of decade describe that:
“In the ancient time people from the North west sides of ‘Hu-Anhu’ and ‘Iyangsikiang’ of China was the resident place of the ‘Tibbeto religion’. They migrated to the south in very old age and reached Burma (Myanmar). From there a group of people entered Assam and settled in various parts of 
 Assam.

Location of the tribes:

 

Among all the tribes in Assam “Rabha” and Mech are from the lower part of Assam. The Karbis specially live in Karbi Aanglong but they are also found in the middle of Assam. The Tiwas are mainly found in middle Assam. N.C hills are the living land of Dimasa. Deori, Mising and Sonowal kachari are the resident of upper Assam. The Kukis live in the southern part of Assam. The influence of Bodo and Kachari can be seen in the lower and northern part of India. Dimasa and the Kukis are called as the “Tribes of hills”. There are many tribes such as Indo-Arya, Iran-semia, Alpine etc (From the Kokecia) have migrated to Assam till now. 

Occupation of the tribes:

 

The tribes are mainly dependent on harvesting. The people living in the hill area dependent on “Jhoom Cultivation” and the tribes from the plane cultivate “Xaali” paddy. Their main food is tribe.
The female of the tribes are very expert weaver (“Taanti”). The beautiful and mesmerizing clothes made by them have able to capture the eye of every people. Melodious song, Beautiful Dance and the various instruments are the priceless treasures of their tribes.

Language and Religion of the tribes:

 

All these tribes of Assam have their own custom and rituals. It signifies the characteristic of every tribe and makes them different from others. Though some of them have not followed the custom and rituals of Hindu community but the impact of the Hindu community can be noticed clearly among them. Some of them also have taken the Christian religion.
About some of the tribes of Assam are listed below:

   Bodo:


Total population: 2 lacs
Religion: Hinduism, Bathuism
 Minority Christian and others.
Language: Bodo language. The script they follow is                     “Devnagari”
Festival: Divided in three main categories:
     Seasonal (Baishagu ,Domashi ,Katrigocha)
     Religious (Sibrai Langamara Puja, Apeshwari puja,              the  haul Kheta)
    Ritualistic and ceremonial (Birth ceremony. Death    ceremony, Marriage ceremony)

   Mising:

 



Total population: 9 lacs 20000
Language: Mising Language (don’t have scripts but follow Assamese language when write)
Festival: Ali Aai Lingang

   

 

 

   Rabha:

 

        
Religion: Hinduism and Christianity
Festival:Baaikhu or Khosi Puja, Hudson puja, Kesai khati etc

    

 

 Deori:

                       Language: Deori language

Festival: Bohagiyo Bisu and Maghaya Utsabha
                  The four original sub tribes of     Deories are:
1)    Dibongia
2)    Tegaponiya
3)    Borton
4)    Patargayan

 Kaarbi tribe:

                  
                   Language: Kaarbi language (Do not have their own
                                      Script, generally use Assamese and English
                                      Language to write
                   Religion:  Animistic (Believe in two types of God and    Goddess)
                                    And Christian.   
                   Festival: Rongker and Hachakekan are the majors.
                   From the distribution or habitation Karbis are divided into three groups:
1) Shinthong
2) Ranghang
3) Amri

Tiwa or Lalung tribe:

                   Total population: In Plane, 171000(Approx.)
                                                In hill areas, 10,000(Approx.)
        
Main festivals: 1) Bisus
                          2) Barat Utsabha
                          3)Sagra misuana
                          4) Wansua
                          5) Junbil Mela

 The Tai-Phake or Phakial Tribe:

                                 Total population: 5000 approx

                             Language: Assamese and Phake language

                             Religion: Theravada Buddhism
                             Main Festival:     1) Poi Chang Ken
                                                          2) Poi-Num-Hok
                                                          3) Poi-Nen-Chi

  Khamti Tribe: 


 

                            Total population: only about 5000
                             Religion: Buddhist
                             Main festival: 1) Poi chang Ken
                                                      2) Poi Nen Hok
                                                      3) Parboti
                                                      4) Maico Chemfai

 Sonowal Kachari:

 

                            
                             Religion: Animistic, followers of Mahapursha
                                            Sankardeva
                             Language: Assamese
                             Main festival: Three Bihus-Bohag Bihu, Kaati Bihu,
                                                      Magh Bihu.

 Dimasa Kachari:

 

                            
                             Religion: Hindusim
                             Language: Garo Dima and Assamese
                             Main festival: 1)Busu
                                                      2) Rajni and Harni Gabra

 Kuki Tribe:

 

                             Language: Kuki
                             Main festival:
    1) Aai San
                                                          2) Sen bonshan
                                                          3) Selja Ngoh
                                                          4) Sel Mei Lah

 Rengma Naga Tribe:

 

                                      Main festival:
 1)    Nyada
 2)    Pi pe
 3)    Lotsung Nga
 4)    Khong Kepang Kennyu
 Mech Tribe: 



                              Mech tribe is small schedule tribe of Assam and 
                              Mainly found in goalpara,Dibrugarh and Karbi
                             Aanglong
                             Religion: Christian and Hindu


                            



          

 

 

 

 N.B: Images are taken from Google.       



                                               
  

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