The Mru tribes are mostly found in various areas of the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. The literal meaning of the term `Mru` means `man`, valuing their freedom and independence more than any thing else. Basically these Mru tribes are amiable and peace loving and avoided every possible occasion of confrontation and hassles. However, due to this nature they sometimes face tremendous exploitations from other clans and tribes who are residing in the near by regions.
The occupations of the Mru tribes are mainly agriculture. They also practice `jhoom (slash and burn)` cultivation. Both females and males take part in the cultivation. Apart from cultivation, these Mru males have the onus of building houses, going for hunting, basket weaving etc. Very recently, on order to meet the demands of the society, some of these Mru tribes took up other professions as well. Minor promotion of conventional handicrafts and also involve themselves in various works related to eco tourism are some of the alternative sources for supplementing their needs. These Mru tribes also would engage themselves in making clothes, blankets, instruments and various household and cultural items.
The native language of these tribes is also called Mru. Mainly residing on the hills, these Mru tribes live in huge and cozy `thatch-roofed` cottages. These are made up of bamboo rising on piles, with huge open decks. Salient features of the villages of Mru tribal communities include holy bamboo totems, presided over by guardian spirits.
The women folk of this tribal community are engaged in some other occupations apart from their additional responsibilities of cooking, firewood gathering, taking care of the household and children. Most of the women groups of this community practice waist-loom weaving, embroidery, beadwork, making cotton thread etc. For carrying huge burdens, these Mru tribes use the conventional forehead lashed `back-baskets`. What is also interesting is that since women work harder than men, the usual practice is that the brides are little older than her grooms ensuring strong women for running houses.
Festivals are an integral part of this Mru tribal society. Cooking sumptuous dishes as well as making handworks creates attraction amongst the people. Only unmarried boys, who dress and embellish themselves with combs, wild flowers and profound silver jewelry, execute musical performances in great vivacity.
Mru tribal society is egalitarian without any prevalence of castes and only a handful of hereditary positions. They avoid all kinds of confrontation and take enormous pride in remaining patient and peaceable all the time. In maters of controlling and administration, each and every household has an equal say. With no practical headship or power structure, they find it hard, though sometimes, they find it problematic to help or cooperate in joint efforts for development or cultural conservation of the whole of the region.
Thus, these Mru tribes are one of those small numbers of native people who have maintained their own unique culture, rituals and beliefs. Thus, musical melodies, exotic dresses as well as the elongated, flower-decked hair kept back in topknots etc are the style marks of the cultural tradition of these Mru tribes. Musical instruments are usually accompanied with songs and music. The young women used to play flutes, made from bamboo. These are called `prui`. The young men use elaborate mouth organs, popularly acclaimed as `ploong`. The biggest `ploong` has eight extensive pipes and sounds similar to any of the bagpipes. Drums and gongs go together with the wind instruments and lyrics.
