Tripuri Community :
The Tripuris constitute the weightiest section of the entire tribal community,
representing more than 50% of the total tribal population of the State. The
Tripuris live on the slopes of hills in a group of five to fifty families. Their
houses in these areas are built of bamboo and raised five to six feet height
to save themselves from the dangers of the wild animals. Nowadays a considerable
section of this community are living in the plains and erecting houses like
the plains' people adopting their methods of cultivation and following them
in other aspects of life, such as dress, manners and cosmetics. Tripuri women
rear a scarp, called Pachra, which reaches down just below the knee. They weave
in their loin-loom a small piece of cloth, which they call 'Risha', and they
use this small piece of cloth as their breast garment.
Reang Community :
Next to Tripuris, the Reangs constitute the second biggest group among the tribal
population. It is generally believed that this particular community migrated
to Tripura from somewhere in the Chittagong hill Tracts in the middle part of
the fifteenth century. The Reangs are very disciplined community. The head of
the community enjoys the title 'Rai' word is supreme in all matters of internal
disputes and hence to be obeyed by all belonging to the said community. They
generally avoid normal court for justice. The Reangs are very backward both
educationally and economically and, therefore they are still considered to be
the primitive group.
Chakma Community :
People of Chakma Community in Tripura are found normally in the Sub-Divisions
of Kailashahar, Amarpur, Sabroom, Udaipur, Belonia and Kanchanpur. They are
followers of Buddhism. Although the Chakmas are divided into several groups
and sub-sections, no major difference is noticed in the manner and customs indifferent
groups. The Chakma chiefs are generally called 'Dewans' and they exercise great
authority and influence within the community in all internal matters. The Chakma
Women, like all other tribal women are experts in weaving. The Chakmas are very
neat and clean in their domestic life.
Halam(Malsum) Community :
Malsum is one of the 12 groups belonging to the Halam community of Tripura.
Halam, again, originally hailed from one of the branches of Kukis. It is said
that Kukis had lived in Tripura even before the Tripuris came in to conquer
the land. Those of the Kukis who had submitted to the Tripura 'Raja' came to
be known as Halams. Originally the tribal was divided into 12 sub-groups of
'Dafas' but in course of time these sub-groups have split into sections and
new as many as sixteen clans are found to be making up for the whole Halam community.
Malsum belongs to one of these 12 groups. The Halams are followers of the 'Saka'
cult, but the influence of 'Vaishnavism' is quite marked, particularly, in two
sections of the community. They believe in the existence of spirit too. Their
worship is solemnized with offerings and sacrifices so that nothing calamitous
befalls the community in the form of crop failure or epidemic or any other natural
disaster. During the festival, they sit together to settle all internal disputes,
try cases or crime and inflict punishment on the offenders which make the Puja
a useful social gathering in keeping peace and harmony within the community.
Garo Community :
The people of Garo community live in the South and Dhalai District of Tripura.
Originally they use to live in Tong Ghar made of bamboo to save themselves from
wild animals like the other tribals of Tripura. But now they prefer houses made
of mud wall with 'Chan' grass as roof. They are believed to have migrated to
Tripura from Garo Hills. The life style of the Garo living in Tripura is almost
like the other tribal. The Heads of the community is known as Sangnakma and
the priest of the community is known as Kama. They put on the dress as good
as that of the Khasis.
Lusai Community :
The Lusai were originally inhabitant of the hills lying with east and north-east
of Tripura and also to the adjoining hilly areas. They have settled down on
Jampui Hills situated on the North-East boundary of the state under Kanchanpur
Sub-Division in North Tripura District. Their number is very insignificant to
the total population of the state. Their social life and Customs have been objects
of great attraction to others. The principal means of livelihood of the Lusai
still remain to be Jhum cultivation. Of course, this can be considered chiefly
to the dearth of plain land in the hills. They prefer living in high altitude
of the hills.
Darlong community :
The Darlongs are the sub-caste of the Lusai community. They live mostly in Kailashahar
Sub-Division in North Tripura District. Their main livelihood is cultivation
of pineapple, orange and cotton.
Mog Community :
There is a controversy over the origin of the word 'MOG' or 'MOGH'. In a periodical
magazine of the Burmese Research Society, this 'word' has been desired to originate
from Bengali. But in the model Bengali Dictionary of Bangiya Sahitya Parishad,
the origin of this word is 'unknown'. In another Dictionary this word is claimed
to have originated from a Burmese word 'Mogh' which is generally used as an
epithet before the name of a gentleman. Some others of course referred to the
ancient Mogadha Empire for its origination. But it is sad that when the domination
of Hindu religion began to thrive in this ancient center of Buddha religion,
a branch of Mogadha dynasty left for Chitagong and subsequently settled down
in Hill Chitagong. Probably the Word 'Mong' came from 'Mogadhi'(one who hails
from Mogadhaor one who is a resident of Mogadha). In English dictionary the
words Mog, Mogen, Mouge have been shown as surnames to the inhabitants of Arakan
in 15-th and 16-th centuries. Bangalees of course refer to the inhabitants of
Arakan as 'Mog'. The people of 'Mog' community claimed to have come from Arakan
and settled down in Tripura in 957 A.D. Almost all the people belonging to the
Mog community are the followers of Buddhism. Sangrai ( last day of the month
of Chaitra, which is the last month of the Bengali Calendar Year) is the occasion
of special festival. The people of the Mog community in general and the young
boys and girls in particular celebrate the day through cultural programs to
invite the new year. Cakes are prepared at every home and denizens move from
house to house to take cakes. On this day water is carried through auspicious
pitchers and respected persons are allowed to take bath with this water. The
young boys and girls indulge in aquatics traditional Khouyang is played on bet.
Paste of fragrant sandalwood and water of green coconuts are sprinkled in every
house. There is myth and merriment everywhere and in the midst of pomp and grandeur
fragrant water is poured on the root of 'Bodhi Briksha'. The festival continues
for three days. The youths of Mog community on this auspicious occasion move
about from house to another dancing and singing with pious 'wish Yielding Tree'(Kalpataru)
on head.
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