The Singhpo Tribe is numerically a minor tribe in North-East India. They are found in Tirap district and some parts of the Lohit district of Arunachal Pradesh and Tinsukia district of Assam. The proper tribal name of Singpho is `Ching-po`. They are Buddhist by religion. The Singphos are of the Mongoloid racial stock. The dialect used by them belongs to the Tibeto-Burman branch of the main Sino-Tibetan family.

This tribal group is said to be the sub group of the Burmese tribe named Kachin. According to some historians the Singhpo were formerly inhabitants of Upper Burma. According to their own belief, they were the inhabitants of the Hukang Valley in the north-east of the Patkai ranges. The Singphos are the most powerful tribe bordering on the valley. They drove out the Khamtis from the low lands under the Patkai hills and settled themselves on the bank of Tengapani, east of Sadia and on the upper Buri-Dihing in Namrup.

The Singhpo tribes are segregated into quite a number of clans, each under a leader locally known as Gam. The principal Gams are the Bessa, Duffa, Luttao, Luttora, Tesari, Mirip, Lophae, Lutong and Magrong. The Singhpo are also separated into 4 classes, known as Shangai, Myung, Lubrung and Mirip. Their numerous clans have their own leaders, and they live in the houses on stilts. These special types of houses of Singhpo tribes are known as Chang ghar, generally built near a river. They are scattered in villages like Ketetong, Ulup, Dibang, Pangsun, Mungbhon, Bisa, Pangna, Hasak, Namo, Ingthem, Katha, and Kumsai.

Traditionally they are hunter and gatherers. Since hunting is a strenuous work they have resorted to agriculture that has gone to become the main source of livelihood. They are very fond of opium. This habit is a characteristic feature of the Singphos. Traditionally the king is the chief of the Singhpo community. There are systems of Gaon Panchayat and Anchal Samity for administrative structure of the community. Gaon Panchayat is headed by village headman. All the Singhpo tribes have developed expertise in their professions of being black smiths, largely producing iron artworks of excellence. Mainly the women folks create nicely woven clothes and dress materials. Moreover, the social customs of the Singhpo tribes are maintained with honour. Marriage is a valued institution. `Exogamy` is adept to marriage. However, it is customary that they do not marry within the members of a clan. Only marriages are being confined to definite clans only. Once a man gets married to a clan, it becomes customary for his heirs to seek wives from the same family line only. The members are guided by the chief. It is elected post. The village head is also responsible for settlement of village disputes. They are Buddhist by religion and the Buddhist Monk is a greatly revered figure in the Singhpo community. He plays a significant role as far as social ethos and moral values are concerned.

Singhpo tribes are good looking too. They have got a strong physique with prominent Mongolian features. In addition, women embellish their hair with beautiful silver chains. Tattooing is also in vogue amongst the married females. Exquisite tattoos are drawn on the legs covering ankles, knees etc. Man does not prefer to wear jewelleries, only the female folk deck up in conventional neckpieces, earrings and finger rings. They carry a sword, locally popular as `sheathed dao`. The sword that the leader carries has been engrafted with tiger claws.

The people of this community make shields and helmets from buffalo hide and they are decorated with artistic touch. The Singhpo males wear coloured cotton jacket to cover their upper portion. Some of the people of this tribal community have also adopted the costume pattern of the Burmese or Shan. The females of this community wear Mekhala that covers the entire body.

The pious Singhpo tribes feted festivals in great jubilance. Especially the religious festivals are greatly popular amongst the Singhpo tribes. In the month of April, the Songkon festival is a special festival that they celebrate in memorial of Lord Buddha. In their cultural traditions as infested in various art forms like music, dance, festivals, the Singhpo tribes maintains uniqueness.