Know Everything About the Tribes of Assam: History, Lifestyle & Culture

Assam is home to a vibrant mix of indigenous tribes, each with its own distinct traditions, languages, and customs. With over 20 recognized tribes, including the Bodos, Mishings, Karbis, Rabhas, and Tiwas, the state showcases a rich cultural diversity. These communities have preserved their unique heritage through traditional practices such as weaving, folk dances, and festivals. Agriculture remains a primary occupation, while handloom and handicrafts play a crucial role in their livelihoods. The tribal way of life reflects a deep connection with nature, spirituality, and ancestral wisdom. This article delves into the history, lifestyle, and cultural significance of Assam’s tribes, highlighting their invaluable contribution to the state’s identity.

Tribes of Assam

1. Bodo

• History: The Bodos, also known as Bodo-Kacharis, are one of the largest ethnic groups in Assam and are part of the larger Bodo-Kachari family. They primarily inhabit Assam, Tripura, and Meghalaya and speak Boro-Garo, a sub-branch of the Tibeto-Burman language family.
• Lifestyle & Culture: Traditionally, the Bodos rely on agriculture, weaving, and fishing. Their society is organized around strong community ties, with vibrant festivals such as Bwisagu marking the new year. They are known for their exquisite handloom products, especially the dokhona, aronai, and gamosa.

2. Karbi

• History: The Karbi people are one of the major indigenous groups of Assam, primarily inhabiting the Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts. They have been granted autonomy under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution since 1951.
• Lifestyle & Culture: Karbis practice jhum (shifting) cultivation and are skilled in handicrafts and weaving. They celebrate Karbi Youth Festival and Rongker, a harvest festival. The Karbi language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman linguistic family.

3. Mising

• History: Originally from the hills of Arunachal Pradesh, the Mising people migrated to the Brahmaputra Valley over centuries. They were formerly called ‘Miri,’ a term with debated origins.
• Lifestyle & Culture: The Mising people engage in agriculture, fishing, and weaving. They celebrate Ali Aye Ligang, a festival associated with farming. Their houses, called chang ghars, are built on stilts to withstand floods.

4. Dimasa

• History: The Dimasa people are descendants of the ancient Kachari kingdom and were among the early rulers of Assam. They played a significant role in shaping medieval Assam’s history.
• Lifestyle & Culture: Traditionally, Dimasas practice agriculture, particularly shifting cultivation. Their society follows a unique clan-based structure. Bushu Dima is their most significant festival, celebrated with dance, music, and traditional feasts.

5. Tiwa

• History: The Tiwas, historically known as Lalung, are a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group. Their name means “the people who were lifted from below.” They are divided into Hill Tiwas and Plains Tiwas, each having distinct customs.
• Lifestyle & Culture: The Tiwas are known for their vibrant festivals, including Jonbeel Mela, where barter trade is still practiced. They have a strong tradition of oral literature and folklore.

6. Deori

• History: The Deoris are an indigenous Tibeto-Burman ethnic group residing in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. They were traditionally the priestly class among the Bodo-Kacharis.
• Lifestyle & Culture: The Deori people engage in agriculture and fishing. They are known for their spiritual and religious traditions, with worship of household deities being an integral part of their culture.

7. Rabha

• History: The Rabha people belong to the Tibeto-Burman language family and primarily inhabit Lower Assam and Meghalaya.
• Lifestyle & Culture: The Rabhas practice both agriculture and weaving. They celebrate Baikho festival, which is dedicated to their deity for prosperity and well-being. Their attire is colorful, with intricate beadwork and silver jewelry.

8. Sonowal Kachari

• History: The Sonowal Kachari people are a sub-group of the larger Kachari family and were historically known for gold-washing in riverbeds, a practice they were assigned during the Ahom rule.
• Lifestyle & Culture: They practice agriculture and fishing. Their festivals, like Kachari Bihu, reflect their agrarian roots.

9. Garo

• History: The Garos are a Tibeto-Burmese ethnic group found in Meghalaya and Assam. They also have a presence in Bangladesh.
• Lifestyle & Culture: The Garo community follows a matrilineal system. They celebrate Wangala, a harvest festival dedicated to the deity Saljong. The Nokpante, or bachelor dormitories, play an essential role in their traditional society.

10. Khasi

• History: The Khasi people are an Austroasiatic ethnic group primarily found in Meghalaya, Assam, and parts of Bangladesh.
• Lifestyle & Culture: The Khasi community practices a matrilineal system, where lineage is traced through the mother. They celebrate Nongkrem and Shad Suk Mynsiem festivals with traditional dances and music.

11. Tai Ahom

• History: The Tai Ahoms, originally from Yunnan (China), migrated to Assam in the 13th century and established the Ahom Kingdom, which ruled Assam for over 600 years.
• Lifestyle & Culture: Though many Tai Ahoms have assimilated into Assamese society, their traditional practices include ancestor worship, the Me-Dam-Me-Phi festival, and the use of the Tai script.

12. Mech

• History: The Mech people are part of the Bodo-Kachari ethnic group and are found in Assam, West Bengal, and Nepal.
• Lifestyle & Culture: They practice agriculture and have a deep connection with nature. Their traditional music and dance are integral to their identity.

13. Tai Khamti

• History: The Tai Khamti people migrated from Myanmar and settled in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
• Lifestyle & Culture: They practice Theravada Buddhism and use the Tai Khamti script. Their traditional attire and monastic education system reflect their Burmese heritage.

14. Hajong

• History: The Hajongs are a riverine tribe residing in Assam and Meghalaya. They introduced wet-field rice cultivation to the Garo Hills.
• Lifestyle & Culture: The Hajongs celebrate Pusne, a traditional harvest festival. Their society is primarily agrarian, with a rich tradition of folk songs and storytelling.

15. Tea Garden Community

• History: The Tea Garden community comprises descendants of indentured laborers brought by British planters from regions such as Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and West Bengal in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Lifestyle & Culture: They have a distinct cultural identity, with festivals like Karam Puja and Jhumur dance being integral to their traditions. Their economy is centered around tea plantation labor.

FAQ

1. How many tribes are in Assam?

Answer: Assam is home to more than 20 major tribes and numerous sub-tribes. The state officially recognizes 14 Scheduled Tribes (ST) in the plains and 15 Scheduled Tribes in the hills under the Indian Constitution.

2. Who are the 6 tribes of Assam?

Outside these two autonomous districts, the main Scheduled Tribes are the Boro (44.96%), Miri (22.46%), Rabha (9.78%), Kachari (including Sonwal) (8.38%), Lalung (6.03%), and Garo (4.49%).

3. Which tribe first came in Assam?

Austro-Asiatics, Tibeto-Burmans, and Indo-Aryans are historically the most important and oldest traditional groups to have arrived in Assam, and to this day, they remain essential elements of the Assamese Diaspora.

Also Read: List of Famous Wildlife Sanctuaries of Assam