Introduction

Dima Hasao district is an administrative district in the state of Assam in north-eastern India. Haflong is the district headquarters of this district. Dima Hasao district occupies an area of 4,888 square kilometers.

On 2 February 1970, Mikir Hills district (later renamed Karbi Anglong District) split from North Cachar Hills district. This district was later renamed as Dima Hasao on 1 April 2010. Haflong Hindi language, Dimasa, Hmar, Zeme Naga, Kukis are the main languages spoken here.

History of Dima Hasao District

History of Dima Hasao District narrates the course of formation and development of the district. Before 1832, Dima Hasao district was included in the Kachari Kingdom. Kachari kingdom spanned from the foot hills of the Lushai in the south up to the Jamuna in the North and from Katcha Naga and Angami Hills in the East up to the Kopili in the West. The kings of Karachi had made Dima Hasao, one of their capitals. In the year 1830 Dimasa king, Gobinda Chandra, was killed by his general Gambhir Singh. On 14th August 1832, the southern part of the kingdom was captured by the British government. The rest of the territory was then ruled by Tularam, the Dimasa General. Later in 1837, some more part of this kingdom was also captured by the British. After the death of Tularam in the year 1854, the remaining part of the Kingdom was also brought under the control of British Government and was made a part of Asalu sub-division.

In 1867, the subdivision of Asalu was abolished and was divided and allocated to the districts Nagaon, Cachar, Jaintia Hills and Khasi. The region of Dima Hasao district was in the Cachar district. It was made a subdivision in the year 1880 with its headquarters located at Gunjung. Later in 1895 the headquarters was shifted to Haflong from Gunjung. On 17th November 1951, a new civil district was created by the name of `United district of North Cachar and Mikir Hills`. After this, two councils namely the NC Hills district council and Mikir Hills District Council were enacted as per the 6th schedule of constitution. Dima Hasao District Council was enacted in 1952, on 19th April.

Geography of Dima Hasao District

The headquarters of Dima Hasao District are located at Haflong. Dima Hasao district occupies an area of 4,888 square kilometres. It is the third largest district of Assam. Dima Hasao District is surrounded by Karbi Anglong district in the East and Nagaland on North east, Manipur on East, Nagaon District on the North, Karbi Anglong Dist(W) on North-west, Meghalaya on West and Cachar district on South.

Demography of Dima Hasao District

According to the 2011 Population census, Dima Hasao district has a population of 213,529. The district has a population density of 44 inhabitants per square kilometer. Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 13.53 %. Dima Hasao has a sex ratio of 931 females for every 1000 males and a literacy rate of 78.99 %. The major tribes inhabiting the district are Dimasas, Hmars, Zeme Nagas, Kukis. Other significant ethnic groups include the Biates, Hrangkhawls, Karbis, Vaipheis, Jaintias and Khelmas.

Culture of Dima Hasao District

The Dimasa Tribe of Dima Hasao District, being agrarian people, celebrate various agricultural festivals in different ways and at different times. Mostly Dimasa inhabiting North Cachar Hills and Karbi Anglong districts are successful in preserving their age-old traditional religious beliefs and practices in and through the celebration of several festivals, with some exceptions, due to being Hinduised.

Dimasa Festival : Dimasa festival can be categorized into community festivals and local festivals. Each village performs the local festivals separately, and participation is restricted to the people of the village concerned.

Other Festivals : The other community festivals are Misengba and Bishu, while local festivals are Khorongfang Gerba, Maisalai Gerba, Rajini Gerba, Hor-ni Gerba etc.

The district is globally known for the village named Jatinga, which is famous for the phenomenon of birds "committing suicide". Although the birds do not commit suicide and are actually killed, the phenomenon of suicide has spread everywhere among common people. About 2,500 Jaintia tribal people inhabit the village.

At the end of monsoon months especially on moonless and foggy dark nights between 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., the locals disturb birds and they are attracted to lights. These dazed birds are captured using bamboo poles by the locals. Famous naturalist late E.P. Gee brought this phenomenon at a global level 1960s. He drove to Jatinga with famed ornithologist late Salim Ali. The cause of it is likely to be disorientation at high altitudes and high speed winds due to the widespread fog characteristic at the time. The Zoological Survey of India sent Dr Sudhir Sengupta to unravel this mystery.

People of Dima Hasao District

People of Dima Hasao District have adopted a variety of cultures, traditions and practices. Dima Hasao District houses a number of tribes and races and consequently a plethora of cultures, rituals, practices and dialects. Population of non tribal people is also considerable in the district which comprises of mostly traders and government employees dwelling in urban and semi urban areas. Tribal population of the district have prominent cultures and lifestyles which make them unique in their own way.

Dimasa Kacharis Tribe
Kacharis are the most significant tribe not only of the district but also of the complete north east India. Legend says that they are the oldest inhabitants of Brahmaputra River valley. These people belong to Indo-Mongoloid or Kirata group which includes many other allied tribes like Bodos. Their anatomical features are of typical of Mongoloid type which is characterized by high cheek bones, slit eyes, little body hair and scant beard. They like to be called as the sons of the river or Dimasa.

Zeme Nagas Tribe
They are considered to be a sub tribe of the Kacha Nagas. The tribe is also prevalent in the whole of Manipur and Nagaland. The population of Zeme Nagas is also significant.

Hmar Tribes
This tribe is believed to have migrated from China. Previously they settled in Burma and later spread their settlements in the states like Manipur, Mizoram and Assam including Dima Hasao district. They are also the Mongoloid descendents. Exogamy is strictly prohibited in the tribe. They are open towards both love and arrange marriages.

Hrongkhols Tribe
The Hrongkhols are considered as a branch of Kuki tribe. Their population in the districted in scattered. Their main occupation is agriculture and Jhum cultivation is widely practiced among the people of this tribe. They build excellent houses using bamboo and wooden slit.

Kukis Tribe
The people belonging to this tribe are believed to have travelled from Central Asia to India through Burma. In Burma, they are known as Chin.

Biates Tribe
Biates are the representatives of the Lushai-Kuki-Chin group. They had migrated from central China to India and initially settled in Mizoram. In early 19th century, the people of this tribe moved to Dima Hasao district for settlement.

Dialects of Dima Hasao District
Main dialects of the district are Hrangkhol, Khasi, Dimasa, zeme and Kuki. Owing to the presence of a number of tribes, the natives of the district use several dialects for communication. Tribal languages of the district include Karbi, Khelma, Hmar, Biate etc. Apart from tribal languages Assamese, Bengali and Indo-Aryan languages including Haflong Hindi are also common.

Festivals of Dima Hasao District
Since the main occupation of the district is agriculture, the festivals celebrated here are mostly related to agriculture only. Through years, the tribal people have preserved their beliefs, rituals and practices through these festivals. Some of the festivals have been associated with Hinduism and are widely practiced till date. The festivals of the district are categorized as community and local festivals. Local festivals are confined within separate villages and participation of other villages is prohibited. Important local festivals in the district include Hor-ni Gerba, Maisalai Gerba, Rajini Gerba, Khorongfang Gerba and many more. Main community festivals celebrated in the district are Misengba and Bishu.

Tourism in Dima Hasao District

Tourism in Dima Hasao District provides a beautiful voyage around the mesmerizing natural beauty. The exquisite hues of nature in the district blend beautifully with the hospitality of the local folks and makes the tourist experience highly alluring. Lush greenery, majestic hills and wandering clouds obscuring the mountains are a treat to the eyes. The rich cultural heritage of the district and its colourful festivals adds to the essence of tourism and makes the place immensely inviting.

Jatinga : Jatinga is a small village adorned with magnificent landscapes. It is especially famed for its mysterious migratory birds which arrive in the district in the month of August and September, making the place picturesque and colourful. The place is also intriguing owing to the sad phenomenon of the suicide of migratory birds in this place. It is said that in the moonless foggy night accompanied by gentle drizzle, when the breeze blows from south to north, these migratory birds commit suicide and descend to the ground. Several explanations have been put forth by the scientists in favour of this phenomenon. According to a theory, certain weather conditions provoke this activity while another theory proposes that the phenomenon is completely natural and occurs to maintain a balance in the number of migratory birds. Horticulture products and orange gardens of the place are also popular.


Dream Valley of Umrongso : The Dream Valley of Umrongso is another place in the district exhibiting breathtaking natural beauty. The pinnacles of the hills veiled behind the mists are a wondrous sight to experience. Pine plantations and their fragrance ferried by the gentle breeze are intoxicating. Sunset in Umrongso is also marvellous to watch where the sunrays reflect over the water creating a dazzling view. Kopili River in the region hosts a hot water stream which is believed to possess medicinal values. A forest reserve situated nearby houses a number of wild animals. Kopili Tea Estate is another tourist attraction of this place. It also houses several cement plants and is a flourishing industrial area.

Panimoor : Panimoor is famed for its beautiful waterfall of Kopili River. The place is considered very sacred by Dimasa tribe. During Magh Purnima the tribal people take a holy bath in this waterfall.

Haflong : Haflong is often known as the Switzerland of the East. It is the district headquarters and queen town, embraced by resplendent nature. The city is beautifully bordered by the Barail Hill for which it is often also termed as the `Land of Blue Hills`.

Garampani : Garampani is located at the western end of the district, along the eastern bank of River Kopili. The place derives its name from a hot spring situated here. It also houses a stunning water fall originating from the River Kopili.

Mahur : Mahur is well known for hosting the longest railway tunnel of Northeast frontier Railway line, stretching to a length of 1192 feet. Mahur is also famous for its coffee plantation which has a great demand not only in India but also in the whole world.

Hajong : Hill terrapins belonging to a rare variety are found in a large number in Hajong. Reserve Forest of Langting Mupa is also located here and houses the Hajong Lake. Several rare varieties of tortoises are found in the lake.

Thuruk : Thuruk is another captivating place of the district, famous for snowfall. Apart from being popular among trekkers and mountaineers, the hospitality of the villagers has also made the village an inviting place for tourists.

Harangajao : Harangajao had once been the cultural centre of Dima Hasao District. It is also renowned as the prime producer of delicious pineapples.

Laisong : Laisong houses the largest traditional dormitory of Naga tribe, known as Hangseuki. The culture and traditions of the tribe has been well preserved by the dormitory since ages.

Maibang : Maibang is historically very significant as it served as the capital of Dimasa kingdom during late 16th century. The city is situated at the heart of the district and River Mahur flows nearby. The main attraction of Maibang is however the Mahur Valley which stands amidst the dense forest. It is an ideal place for nature lovers and nature photographers. A walk on the green carpet of the Mahur Valley and an evening on the bank of River Mahur can be some of the most appeasing experiences of life.

Heritage Village near Jatinga : mHeritage Village has recently emerged as an attractive tourist attraction. It is famous for sketching the diverse cultures, traditions and heritage of different tribes of the district and the harmony which exists among them. Traditional houses and dormitories belonging to various tribes are also found here.

Nature in the Dima Hasao district pictures sights to be treasured for life. The assemblage of cultural and natural diversity in the district entices a number of tourists from distant places. Tourism in Dima Hasao District offers a plethora of unique and delightful experiences to the tourists.