The Tripuri Tribes originated from Tripura and Bangladesh. The history of the origin of the Tripuri people depicts that they ruled Tripura for a long period of 2000 years. The origin of these Tripuri tribes can be traced down to an interesting history. Tripuri tribes belong to the famous Tibeto-Burmese tribal group .As has been pointed out by anthropologists; these Tripuri tribes are believed to have from the foreign regions and then settled down in the state of Tripura. It also has been assumed that these Tripuri tribes have emigrated before 65 AD. Some of the scholars even claimed that these Tripuri tribes even resisted the threats of the Mughal invaders. Tripuri Tribes has two synonyms- Puran Tripuri and Dev Varma and has ancestral relation with the lunar dynasty of Mahabharata. These tribes are found all over Tripura though the western and northern parts of the Tripura are the main concentrated area. The occupation of the Tripuri tribes is a mixed economy.
The Tripuri tribes has the following clans like Bachal, Siuk, Koaitoia, Daitys, Singh, Hojoria, Chiltia, Apaia, Chatratoia, Galim, Sube Naran, Sena, Jolai, and Khakloo. Most of them are feudal in character. Each clan sends its representative to the royal family to discharge certain specific duties. The Tripuri tribes have a tendency of forming a hamlet of their own. A hamlet is known as Badi or Kami or Pada. Hamlets are found on flat top of a hill which is of medium height. Dresses of these Tripuri tribes are quite exquisite and wonderful. Tripuri females dress in a scarp, namely, Rignai, which goes down just below her knees. They make a tiny piece of cloth, called Risa, in their loin-loom a small piece of cloth. It is a 'breast garment'. In order to converse with each other and also with other outsiders, these Tripuri tribes use the famous language of Korborok, which falls into the famous language group of the Tibeto- Burman. Also its multiple dialects are quite popular amongst this Tripuri tribal community. There are many forms of marriage in Tripuri tribal society. They are the Chamari Kao, Hamjook tooboo, Chamari Toobal, Hamjook teisao, Tei Khalaio, Booraj selaioi laga and Sindoor foolna. 
The Tripuri tribes have an interesting belief about cosmos. It is believed that the sun and the moon are a couple and stars are their children. The Tripuri also worship Hindu deities. Number of gods and goddesses are also worshipped. Mahadeva is considered as the supreme God. Dead bodies are cremated and they go on pilgrimage to Kashi, Mathura, Vrindavan and Haridwar. Currently there has been a trend of young boys and girls are being converted to Christianity. These Tripuri tribes have adapted to the traditional beliefs of animism. Other religions that also are quite popular are Hinduism, Vaishnavismand Buddhism.
The Tripuri tribal people celebrate the festivals like buddha jayanti Pous sankranti, karchi puja and some other tribal festivals. Religious festivals are occasion for dancing, singing and drum beating. The Garia Puja is one of the religious festivals for the society. Kalia and Garia deities are worshipped for a prosperous new year. Lakshmi Puja is a festival celebrated in the month of October, after the Durga Puja. It is also called Kojagiri or Hajagiri. The Garia Nritya is a dance which is performed in the Garia Puja. The participants break their journey frequently and enter into every house and display their performances. Conventional games and sports are played among these tribes. Longoi Chokmung, Achugwi Phan Sohlaimung, Bumanikotor ,Dwkhwi Sotonmung, Phan Sohlaimung, Kaldong or Kadong, Muphuk Sagwnang, Musta Seklaio, Sohlaimmung are some of the varieties of the traditional game which these Tripuri tribes love to play with lots of enthusiasm. (Last Updated on : 03-12-2010) |
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