West Bengal state is the abode of numerous tribes who reside in the rural parts of the state. Their culture, religion, costumes, tradition have enriched the culture and tradition of West Bengal. The tribal communities have occupied near three quarters of the total population of West Bengal.

Many of these tribes of West Bengal have adapted to diverse religious practices. Among them, Hinduism, with its subdivision of various castes and native tribes, has filled three fourths of the total tribal populace of the West Bengal state. Apart from Hinduism, followers of Islam are also found among the tribal groups. Most of the people of the tribal groups of West Bengal speak in Bengali language. In fact these tribes are quite proud of their enriched culture and language. Variant dialects are also equally amongst these tribes of West Bengal. Among the various tribal groups of West Bengal, most significant tribes are the Garo Tribe, Lohara Tribe, Mahli, Mru Tribe, Munda Tribe, Oraon Tribe, Paharia Tribe, Kora Tribe etc. These tribes comprises of less than one-tenth of the total population of the state.

Each of these tribes has their own history of origin and some of them are said to be in connection with Bengal before the independence. Fair and festivals are enjoyed with great merriment among the tribal groups of West Bengal. The festivals and occasions of Bengal reflect in the fests and festivals of the tribal groups of this region. Most of the people of the tribal groups have adopted the religious culture of Bengal. Some of the gods and goddesses are worshipped by the tribal groups of this region. Durga Puja is one of the most major festivals of Hindus of West Bengal. This festival is also celebrated by the tribal groups with much gaiety. Some other festivals like Makar Sankranti, Kali Puja, etc are feted in the whole of tribal society. They have their own tribal occasions and festivals too.

These tribes of West Bengal are basically farmers but many of them are engaged in some other occupations like carpentry, weaving, hunting, fishing etc. Rice is the staple food of the tribal people of Bengal and sometimes they include fish, meat, chicken, and fowls in their diet.

Some of the tribes are adept in art and craft and their created items give evidence to the exclusive tribal arts. Tribes of West Bengal are famous in all over the whole world for its proficiency in art and crafts. They are truly skilled in creating splendors to its outstanding works on carpentry, terracotta, drawings, and textile. Earthenware, brass and copperware, needle works, wall-hanging, hand looms, fine muslin and silk clothes, wood statues, cane works etc. are a couple of examples of handcrafts which have developed from the villages households of these tribes of West Bengal. Maximum of these craft products embellish the cottage industry of the state and have been spine of the economy of the rural provinces of the West Bengal state.