We Profiled 29 Seriously Interesting Tribes From India, One For Every State (Vol. II)

The digital age of information has brought with it heightened materialism and wastefulness too, which seems to have consumed India’s civilized population, turning them into market-driven beings of a rather one-dimensional nature but there are perks to living in such an explicitly dual country. Living in complete juxtaposition to the urban drone way of living is an equally  vibrant and culturally rich India whose lifestyles, culture, religious beliefs, traditions, rituals, dressing, food, language are so far removed from the rest of our country, they represent an anthropological wealth of heritage.

Home to the largest tribal population in the world, India has the privilege of hosting a variety of truly diverse, colourful indigenous people and we’ve always been fascinated by their lineage but we’ve only ever gone skin-deep. We took a step further in uncovering stories within the 600+ tribes that live within our borders to identify the most interesting tribes from the country, that too, one from every state.

[Note: We picked tribes from each Indian State on the basis of which ones provided a particularly unique insight into an alternative way of life through faith, dressing, music, art, rituals and so forth.  For easier reading, we divided the country into six zones, South, North & Central, East and West. Check out Volume I of this series here.]

East India

XVIII.  The Bedia Tribe of Jharkhand

...and their fascinating rituals of birth and death.

Residing in Jharkhand’s Singbhum, Ranchi and Hazaribagh districts are the small agricultural Bedia tribal community. The unique perspective of birth and death, and the customs surrounding these beliefs, make the Bedias a cultural masterpiece. Birth is an extremely joyous occasion, celebrated enthusiastically throughout the clan. Still, with birth, comes ‘birth pollution’. After 5 days of pollution, the 6th day celebrates a Chetti ritual of purification and cleansing, where the room, courtyard, utensils, furniture and clothes are washed. Before seeking blessings of elders, the mother and child are given a purification bath. Cleansing of evil spirits is the primary ritual surrounding birth. During delivery, the navel is cut with a sharp knife and buried in a lonely place along with other delivery waste to ward off evil spirits, and save the mother and child from the attack of witchcraft.

Bedias understand the reality of death, but there is difference between ‘good death’ and ‘bad death.’ Natural death of old age is good, as it allows for a rebirth. But, death in childhood is from Bhuta-Preta - dissatisfied souls that wander the rest of their lives. Death, too, brings pollution. After 6 days of pollution the male members shave their heads, mustache and beard. A purificatory feast is given to the family, after which the Bedias follow funeral rituals, which includes burial as well as cremation rites such as Daskarma and Telnahan.

XIX. The Bathudi Tribe in Bihar 

...artistic and creative geniuses of the tribal world.

The most colourful and artistic tribe of the State of Bihar are the creatively brilliant Bathudis. Art and ingenuity breathes into every aspect of their lives - such as, ordinary mud thatched roof houses are decorated with exquisite multi-coloured flowery designs, making them extraordinary to look at. Brightly coloured exotic saris are adorned by Bathudi women, while the men wear coarse cotton dhotis. Saris are complemented by delicate silver ornaments, and as ritual has it, tattoos too. Bathudi ritual influences women to sport floral tattoos on their arms or foreheads, and this tattooing is called Khada. From the clothes to the accessories to their house, and much more, the Bathudis exude creativity and imagination in every corner of life.

XX. The Bonda Poraja Tribe of Odisha 

...famous for the women’s unique style of dressing

Descendents of the unique Austro-Asiatic language family, the Bondas occupy rugged mountains in South-Western provinces of Odisha. This tribe’s rich cultural heritage is reflected in the women’s lifestyle, starting with the dressing. Bonda women are scantily clad, almost half naked, owing to their religious customs, with strings of beads and brass ornamental which hang low on their bodies. With completely shaven heads, they adorn strips of coloured fillets. Brass rings or buttons decorate their ears, while broad bangles their wrists. Broad silver necklace bands embellish their necks, making the women radiate with ornaments. Interestingly, these women prefer to marry younger boys, so in their old age they may have someone to earn for them. After all, all that bling is going to cost you.

XXI. The Mru Tribe of West Bengal 

...Who can teach the world the egalitarian way of life.

In the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal resides a beautiful community built on brotherhood. ‘Mru’ literally means ‘man’ in their native language, ensuring man’s freedom and independence hold the highest regard and value. This tribal community is egalitarian in nature, and thrives on the spirit of equality. Caste is given no prevalence, and only a handful of hereditary positions exist. Mrus take enormous pride is maintaining patience and peace through all confrontational matters, with each person and household given an equal say. No practice of power structure or headship - the Mrus believe in community above all else.

North East India

XXII. The Garo Tribe of Meghalaya

...where women rule the roost.

Originating from Mongoloid stock, this unique tribe of Meghalaya questions all patriarchal society structures by providing an alternative. Garos regard women at a higher status than men, making them a matrilineal society. Inheritance and descent are reckoned through the mother of the family. While other tribes exclude women from village administration, the forward-thinking broad-minded Garos maintain that women should be given freedom in this regard. The social code of conduct and rich cultural heritage of this tribe is upheld by its female population, and this matriarchal culture seeps into various traditions. For instance, even widow remarriage and female polygamy are permitted within this tribe.

XXIII. The Ao Tribe of Nagaland

...and their fascinating, heroic ‘Warrior Shawl.’

Nagaland’s Mokokchung district has the privilege of housing the brave Ao Tribe and their distinct shawls. Owing to their rich traditions, clothing for the Aos serve a greater purpose. One look at an Ao’s Naga shawl, the Mangkotepsu, and the valiant warrior is distinguished from the common class. Symbolizing greatness and merit, men have to earn the right to wear this warrior shawl through acts of bravery. A bold, white strip down the middle of the cloth is a symbol of courage, while the sun, moon and stars signify the resulting glory and fame of warriors. Animals depicted in the strip resemble physical power and valour, while the Mithun (buffalo-like creatures) indicate wealth. The Ao tribe’s vivid symbolism through the warrior shawl represents a rich heritage of heroism.

XXIV. The Thadou Tribe of Manipur 

...where marriage comes in 4 different forms

Hailing from the family of the Kuki people, the Thadous are the largest tribe of Manipur, although they are native to different parts of the North East, Bangladesh as well as Myanmar. In Thadou tradition, marriage is not as simple as a union of two people in love. For starters, they have four different forms of marriage, starting with Chongmu. Negotiation of the bride-price, setting of a date of removal of the bride from her house, sending of strong men by the groom to retrieve the bride, and then the triumphant return of the groom with the bride - these are all part of the Chongmu marriage. The Sahapsat marriage form consists of only marital negotiations between the families, whereas the Jol-lha’ marriage is the answer to pre-marital pregnancies. And, the fourth and final form, the ‘Kijam mang, is purely elopement.

XXV. The Mishing Tribe of Assam 

...whose festivals are a cultural masterpiece

A gemstone of cultural diversity in Assam is the Mishing Tribe of Indo-Mongoloid stock. With agriculture so deeply ingrained in their lives, their chief festivals connect with the harvest cycle and display their rich traditions and heritage. Ali-Ai-Ligang, the most colourful, is the spring festival. Marking the new sowing season, this vivid festival is held to appease Mother Earth and the forefathers of the Mishing. Brightly coloured traditional costumes are exhibited by young boys and girls as they dance and sing in celebration. Gumrag Pakes Cha Nam is the highlight of the show, a vibrant dance  characterized by brisk stepping, flinging and flapping of hands and swaying of hips, accompanied by the lively beats of drums, pipes, flutes and gongs.

Porag is the very expensive and widely celebrated post-harvest festival, attended by everyone from neighbouring villages - young, old, male, female, the works! Typically, these festivities turn into a friendly tournament of singing, dancing or drumming cheered on by excited, colourful villagers marvelling in the post-harvest season’s glory.

XXVI. Lepcha Tribe of Sikkim

...where language, a creation of forefathers, is a work of art

The aboriginal inhabitants of Northern Sikkim are a rich mine of anthropological nuances, with interesting and melodious folklore and beliefs. Still, the most amazing aspect of the Lepcha Tribe is their language, which falls under the Tibeto-Burman language family. Referred to as ‘Rong-aring’, the language is progressive and uniquely broad-minded. Words associated with obscenity are part of everyday vocabulary, uttered with no hesitation or worry of taboo. This language seems to be the brainchild of Lepcha wisemen, who sat together to name various animate and inanimate objects in sequence. For instance, Pa is the common term for snakes, hence Panu-bu, Pamol-bu, Panul-bu, Palong-bu are various kinds of snakes. Such communal consensus seems an enduring aspect of the Lepcha life. Reflecting monosyllabic traits common to most Sino-Tibetan languages, Rong-aring is melodious and charming, soft on the ears.

XXVII. Jamatia Tribe of Tripura

...whose sense of supremacy hails from an old folklore

Physically sturdy, strong and brave with Mongoloid features, the Jamatias of Tripura are an important well-organised tribal community. Potent within them is a feeling of superiority and dominance, which can be attributed to a common Jamatia myth. According to the myth Jamatias were made to work for the king, inducted into regal force due to their physical prowess. Unfair oppression at the hands of corrupt officials of the King gave birth to a leader called Porikshit Jamatia, who launched a rebellious force against the regal authority. Over time, the Jamatia tribes grew irritated with the armed insurrections, and were determined to get out of the state and transmigrate to another territory. To appease the angry community, King Beer Chandra graded the Jamatias as a higher class than other tribes, gifting them a position of supremacy. This air of authority above other tribes of the area still exists, making the Jamatias perceive themselves as higher beings.

XXVIII. The Nyishi Tribe of Arunachal Pradesh 

...with unique headgear that makes modern hats look boring at best

Arunchal Pradesh’s principal inhabitant tribes give a whole new meaning to the word Hat. Famous for their unique indigenous headgear, the Nyishis’ creative dressing style is elegant, beautiful and vibrant. With hair plaited traditionally and folded at the forehead in Tibetan thread, a brass skewer decorates this knot (called Padum). Nyishis further embellish their heads with neatly woven cane caps called Bopias, and complete the look with a classic smoking pipe hanging out of their mouths. Cane is a staple feature in their attire, as firm cane bands wrap their waists, and a Nara (cane basket) rests on their shoulders. A symbol of valour held in high esteem by this tribe is the beak of the Great Indian Hornbill, which surmounts cane helmets worn by the men, although now the use of authentic Hornbill beaks is discouraged with Conservation groups fighting for animal rights.

XXIX. The Chakma Tribe of Mizoram

...where reincarnation is such a strong belief, it defines life and death rituals

A strange culture is followed by Mizoram’s second largest ethnic minority - the Chakma Tribe. After the birth of a child, traditionally the father gathers some earth and places it near the birth bed, then lights it on fire. For five days the fire is kept alive, after which the earth is discarded and the mother and child are bather. The unusual rituals surrounding childbirth continue, as the mother is considered unclean for an entire month post her delivery. This notion manifests in her not being allowed to cook for this period.
As Buddhists, the Chakmas’ belief in reincarnation dictates their funeral rituals. The deceased are cremated with an elaborate ritual of bathing the body, dressing it and laying it on a bamboo platform. Villagers visit the dressed body with drums beaten at intervals, hoping that the dead person’s spirit will return to earth reincarnated in another living form.

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Words: Rhea Almeida