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North East Indian Tribes ("Tibeto-Burman")
Northeast India comprises of eight states. They are Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura.
North East Indian tribes have originated from the ethnic groups of Tibeto-Burmese, proto Austrioloids and some groups of Indo-Mongoloids (Sino-Tibetan).
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The Bodo Tribe is a vast tribe and shares a good number of populations in Assam. The tribal people have also migrated to other parts of India as well as to neighboring countries. It’s said that Bodo tribes have introduced rice cultivation, tea plantation, poultry farming, and silkworm rearing in the North Eastern parts of India.
Bodos are non vegetarians and rice is considered a staple food, and the traditional favourite drink of the Bodos is Zu Mai (rice wine). Rice is usually accompanied by a non vegetarian dish such as fish, meat or pork.
Weaving and silkworm rearing is another part of Bodo culture. Many families rear their own silkworms. The cocoons of the silkworms are spun into silk. Bodo women teach their girls the art of weaving from a young age. One can always find a Bodo courtyard with a loom. Women weave and wear their own Dokhnas, which is the traditional dress of the Bodo women with shawls. The Bodos are also expert in making beautiful crafts from bamboo.
As of 2001, above 90% of the Bodos living in Assam were Hindu (down from 91.13% in 1991), and 9.40% were Christian (up from 8.58% in 1991). Only a few Bodos still believe in the Animist religion (2,478 in 1991, 141 in 2001).
Bodo Tribal Lady
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The Deori or Deuri are one of the major ethnic tribes of arunachal pradesh and assam, India. They historically live in the upper plains or hinterland of the Brahmaputra Valley. The Deori tribe belongs to the Sino-Tibetan family of Mongoloid stock (as is generally the case of the people of northeast India). In ancient times of Ahom and Sutiya kingdoms the Deoris used to serve as priests in the temples of the kingdoms and therefore the origin of the name "Deori". The tribe has maintained their racial traits, languages, religion and folk tales, beliefs through centuries. The Deori people are subdivided into four main groups namely Dibongyia, Borgoya, Tengaponiya and Patorgoya. The Patorgoya group of people is not officially traced yet and an effort is on to identify them.
The Deori people follow indigenous faith. They worship their ancestors; KundiMama-kundigirasi (shiva-parvati), Boliya Baba (pisadema) and Tameshwari (pisasi). They also worship other Hindu deities. Deoris are very religious people. Since antiquity, Deori people worshiped God by singing hymns and holy songs. Later on the experienced priests known as Bordeuri and Bharali started sacrificing animals in their temples. They used to serve as priest in the Sutiya and Ahom kingdom and hence got the name "Deori".
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The Garos are indigenous people in Meghalaya, India and neighboring areas of Bangladesh. The Garo tribal religion is popularly known as Songsarek.
A large part of the Garo community follow Christianity, about 90%.
Garo man & woman in traditional dress, Chittagong Hills.
Garo Women (above), in traditional dress, Chittagong, Bangladesh
Garo women with face paint.
A Garo couple, in their traditional wear. One can easily see the connection with the Malay tribes of Borneo or Mindanao, as well as with many American Indian tribal peoples.
Garo Tribal Dancers (above).
Wangala Festival of Garo tribe in Meghalaya (above), NE India.
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The Kukis constitute one of several hill tribes within the Republic of India and Burma. In the Chin State of Myanmar and as Mizo in the State of Mizoram in India are a number of related Tibeto-Burman tribal peoples spread throughout the northeastern states of India, northwestern Burma, and the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. In Northeast India, they are present in all states except Arunachal Pradesh.
Some fifty tribes of Kuki peoples in India are recognised as scheduled tribes based on the dialect spoken by that particular Kuki community as well as their region of origin.
Kuki Tribe or the migrant ones can be found all over the northeastern states. The language of the tribe varies but are all similar in a way, and can broadly be termed as the Kuki Language. They prefer to live on hilltops. The villages of Kuki tribes are a cluster of closely constructed houses. The tribe cultivates dwarf cotton and spun yarns.
The name "Kuki" is used in India, "Chin" in Burma.
The majority of Chins are Christians, with most belonging to Protestant denominations, especially Baptist.
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The Naga people are an ethnic group conglomerating of several tribes native to the North Eastern part of India and north-western Burma. The tribes have similar cultures and traditions, and form the majority ethnic group in the Indian state of Nagaland, with significant population in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and some small population in Assam.
The state of Nagaland officially recognises 17 Naga tribes. In addition, some other Naga tribes occupy territory in the contiguous adjoining states of Manipur, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh, India; and across the border in Burma. Prominent Naga tribes include the Poumai, Sumi, Angami, Ao, Chakhesang, Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Liangmai, Lotha, Pochury, Rengma, Tangkhul, Thangal, Zeme, Mao, Phom, Yimchunger, Rongmei, Sangtam
The Angamis are a major Naga ethnic group native to the state of Nagaland in North-East India. They are known for the Sekrenyi celebrations every February. More than 98% of the Angamis are Christians. Baptists constitute more than 80% of the total Angami Christian population and all the Baptist churches in their region are under the Angami Baptist Church Council.
The Aos are one of the major Naga tribes of Nagaland, Northeast India. They were the first Naga tribe to embrace Christianity and by virtue of this development the Aos availed themselves to Western education that came along with Christianity. In the process the Aos became the pioneering tribe among the Nagas in many fields. Christianity first entered into the Ao territory when an American Baptist missionary, Edwin W. Clark, reached an Ao village called Molungkimong in 1872.
Today, Aos are almost 100 percent Christians, the majority being Baptists. Many Ao people have undertaken missionary work in other areas as well.
Their main territory is from Tsula (Dikhu) Valley in the east to Tsurang (Disai) Valley in the west in Mokokchung district. They are well known for multiple harvest festivals held each year.
Chakhesang is a Naga tribe found in Nagaland, India. The word Chakhesang comprises three tribes: cha - Chokri, Khe - Khezha, Sang - Sangtam. The Chakhesang Tribe celebrates seven festivals in a year, all the festivals are based on the agricutural cycle. The Sukrunye is the most important festival, which is celebrated in the first month of the year. Traditionally the Sukrunye festival covers 19 long days ,starting from Nyede to Vuta Zhongu. However it has been now restricted to a 6 day event.
The Chakhesang are 99.80 % Christian.
Chang is a Naga of Nagaland, India.
As of 2001, about 99.5% of the Changs were Christians.
Khiamniungan is one of the minor Naga tribes, mainly found in the Tuensang district of Nagaland, India and the adjoining areas of Burma. The tribe's name is also spelled as Khaiamnungan, Khiamnungan or Khiamungan.
They are about 88.00% Christian.
The Konyaks can be found in Myanmar, in the Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal, and in the Mon district of Nagaland, India. They are known in Arunachal as Wancho Konyak.
The Konyak are about 90% Christian.
Liangmai Naga
Lotha Naga
Lotha is the name of a major Naga tribe inhabiting the Wokha district of Nagaland, India.
Mao Naga
The Maos inhabit the northern part of Manipur State of India, bounded by similar Naga tribes such as the Angami and Chakhesang tribes in the north, the Maram Naga and Zeme Naga tribes in the west and south, and the Tangkhul and Poumai tribes in the east. The Maos are also known as Memei or Ememei, in their own language. The term 'Mao' also refers to the area where most of the old and original villages are situated, as distinguished from the newer settlements in an expanded area of their habitation.
Maram Naga
Phom Naga
Phom is a Naga tribe from Nagaland, India. Their traditional territory lies between the territories of Konyak in the north-east, the Ao in the west and the Chang in the south. Yongnyah is the largest Phom village.
Pochury Naga
Pochury is a Naga tribe of Nagaland, India. The tribe's native territory is located in the eastern part of the Phek district, centered on the Meluri town (166 km from the state capital Kohima).
The Poumai Naga is a community predominantly inhabiting the Senapati District of Manipur, though there are villages that fall in the Nagaland state, situated in the northeastern part of India. Poumai is one of the Naga tribes. Poumai Nagas are spread out over 100 villages that have been broadly divided into three blocks: Paomata, Lepaona and Chilivai. The people are known for bravery, fidelity and wisdom. The language spoken by the Poumai is called Poula. The Poumai in general follow Christianity.
Rengma Naga
Rengma is a Naga tribe found in Nagaland and Assam states of India. According to the 2001 census of India, the Rengma population in Nagaland was 51,000, i.e. 2.9% of the total Naga population.
Rongmei Naga
The Rongmeis are a major Naga tribe indigenous to Assam, Manipur and Nagaland in the North-East India.
Sangtam Naga
The Sangtams are a Naga tribe living in the Tuensang and Kiphire districts of Nagaland.
Sumi Naga
Tangkhul Naga
Tangkhul is a tribe living in the Indo-Burma border area occupying the Ukhrul district in Manipur, India and the Somra Tangkhul hills (Somra tract) in Upper Burma. Despite this international border, many Tangkhul have continued to regard themselves as "one nation".
Thangal Naga
Thangals are one of the indigenous Naga tribes restricted to the Senapati district of the state of Manipur in north-east India. Presently there are 13 Thangal villages. They are found in eleven hill villages of the Senapati District. Mapao Thangal, Thangal Surung, Makeng Thangal Tumnou Pokpi, Tagaramphung (Yaikongpao), Ningthoupham and Mayakhang are some of the bigger villages.
Yimchunger Naga
Yimchunger is one of the major Naga tribes of Nagaland and the Tuensang district within India and areas of Burma.
Zeme Naga
Zeme Naga is a group of Naga people from northeastern parts of India. They also speak a language of the same name (see Zeme language). Other names include Ozemi, Nzemi, Zeme, Zemai, Zemei, Ziama, Jemi, Yemi, etc. The term "Zainme" means people, but depending on what tribe you belong to different words can mean different things. The Zemes that are inhabiting in Nagaland call themselves Zeliang and those of the Manipur borders are called Zeliangrong. There are many different tribes that speak Zeme Naga even though it is a endangered language. The tribes who still use this language are spread out among different parts of India.
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The Tani Tribes is a group of tribes from the state of Arunachal Pradesh, India with certain common belief systems; primarily, their belief in Abotani as their primeval ancestor. The group comprises Adi's include(Pasi,Padam,Minyong,Bori,Pailibo,Bokar), Apatani, Hill Miri, Nyishi and Tagin. They are also often referred to as the Tani group.
Adi Tribe (have two divisions namely Bogums and Bomis) are found in Arunachal Pradesh. They live on the hills and have their own village council. This group is again divided into various small sub tribes.
Nyishi or Nishi Tribe has originated from the Indo-Mongoloid stock. They are mainly inhabited in the lower region of the Subansiri district in Arunachal Pradesh. They are considered a large tribe according to the area and population in Arunachal Pradesh. Their spoken language is different from the other tribes, which is a part of the Tibeto-Burman language family.
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Chittagong
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