A tribe is a group of people who live together as a close-knit community and share a common way of life. The members of a tribe usually believe that they come from the same ancestors, which gives them a feeling of belonging and unity.
People of a tribe often speak a common language or dialect that may be different from the languages spoken by people around them. This language helps preserve their identity and traditions.
Each tribe has its own unique culture, which includes their customs, traditions, festivals, dress, food habits, and ways of celebrating important events in life. These cultural practices are passed down from one generation to another.
Tribal communities have a strong sense of community identity, meaning they value cooperation, mutual help, and collective living rather than individual interests.
Most tribes are closely connected with nature and land. Their lives depend on forests, rivers, hills, and fields for food, shelter, and livelihood, which is why they usually show great respect for nature and the environment.
Tribe in Indian Context
Defined constitutionally as Scheduled Tribes (STs) under:
Article 342 of the Indian Constitution
Identified based on:
Primitive traits
Distinct culture
Geographical isolation
Shyness of contact with outside world
Backwardness (socio-economic)
Tribe in Assam Context
Tribes are:
Indigenous inhabitants of Assam
Closely linked with hills, forests, rivers, and plains
Assam tribes show:
High ethnic and cultural diversity
Mix of hill tribes and plain tribes
- Constitute about 12–13% of Assam’s total population.
Facts about Assam’s Tribal Population
- Population Share : Constitute about 12–13% of Assam’s total population.
- The tribal in Assam constitute 3.72% of total tribal population of the country.
- The tribal population in Assam is predominantly rural with 94.4% residing in rural areas.
- Assam has 35+ Scheduled Tribes ( Plains and Hill Tribes)
- Major Tribal Groups
ST (Plains): Bodo, Mishing, Rabha, Tiwa (Lalung), Deori, Sonowal Kachari etc.
ST (Hill): Karbi, Dimasa
- Mainly Concentrated in:
- Bodoland Territorial Region
- Karbi Anglong
- Dima Hasao
- Riverine areas of Brahmaputra
- Major tribes of Assam (constitutinge >90% of ST population of Assam) ;
- Bodo (35.1%)
- Mishing(17.52%)
- Karbi (11.1%)
- Rabha (7.6%)
- Sonowal Kachari (6.5%)
- Lalung (5.2%)
- Garo (4.2%) and
- Dimasa tribes (3.2%)
- The other tribal people in Assam are : Deori, Hajong, Thengal Kachari, Khasi, Jaintia, Mech,
Chakma, Mizo, Hmar, Kuki tribes, Naga tribes, Barmans (in Cachar), Man (Tai speaking),
Khampti and Singhpho tribes. - List of Assam districts having more than 25% ST population:
| District | Percentage of ST Population |
|---|---|
| Dima Hasao | 70.9% |
| Karbi Anglong | 56.3% |
| Dhemaji | 47.4% |
| Chirang | 37.1% |
| Baksa | 34.8% |
| Udalguri | 32.1% |
| Kokrajhar | 31.4% |
- These above seven districts together account for 53.3% of the tribal population of the State.
- Interdistrict variation of ST population ; Halakandi district has 0.1% ST population.
- Most of the plain tribes are inhabitants of Brahmaputra valley and only a small proportion lives in Barak Valley.
- The literacy rate among tribal in Assam is 72.1% , the male and female literacy rate (79% & 65% respectively).
- Districts – declared as the Scheduled Areas under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution :
- Dima Hasao Autonomous council : Dima Hasao
- Karbi Anglong Autonomous council : Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong
- Bodoland Territorial Council : Kokrajhar, Chirang , Baksa , Tamulpur , Udalguri
- These Autonomous Councils under sixth schedule have power to make laws related to land administration and inheritance of property, management of forest and water-resources, regulation of Jhum cultivation practice, establishing village or town committees and matter relating to tribal administration, marriage and social customs
Classification of Tribes of Assam
On the basis of their habitat, tribal community can be divided into :
- Hill tribes
- Plain tribes
- Riverine tribes
- Forest based tribe
Hill Tribes of Assam
Meaning
Tribes mainly inhabiting the hill and plateau regions of Assam
Live in rugged terrain with forests and slopes
Settlements are scattered due to uneven land
Major hill tribes:
Karbi tribe (in Karbi Anglong Hills)
Dimasa tribe (in Dima Hasao Hills)
Lifestyle & Occupation
Practice jhum (shifting) cultivation
Depend on forests for food, fuel, and materials
Strong clan and community system
Plain Tribes of Assam
Meaning
Tribes living in the plains and river valleys of Assam
Mainly found in the Brahmaputra and Barak valleys
Major Plain Tribes
Bodo
Rabha
Tiwa (Lalung)
Sonowal Kachari
Deori
Lifestyle & Occupation
Practice wet rice cultivation
Permanent village settlements
Increasing participation in education and modern occupations
- Bodo/Rabha in Dooars (Bhutan foothills) involved in tea estates
Population Pattern
Higher population density compared to hill tribes
Well-integrated with non-tribal Assamese society
Riverine Tribes of Assam
Meaning
Tribes living along river banks, floodplains, and river islands (chars)
Highly dependent on rivers for livelihood
Major Riverine Tribes
Mishing
Deori
Lifestyle & Occupation
Fishing, farming, and animal rearing
Seasonal movement due to floods and erosion
Houses built on stilts (chang ghar) to avoid flood damage
Environmental Challenges
Frequent floods
Riverbank erosion
Loss of agricultural land
Forest-based Tribes
Meaning
Tribes whose livelihood is directly dependent on forests
Found in forested foothills and interior areas
Important Forest-based Tribes
Rabha
Karbi
Dimasa
Lifestyle & Occupation
Collection of forest produce (bamboo, firewood, herbs)
Hunting, fishing, and shifting cultivation
Deep knowledge of forest ecology
Cultural Features
Nature worship
Strong conservation-oriented traditional practices
District-wise Distribution of Major Tribes
Bodo Tribe
- Assam’s largest plains tribe.
- Total population : 1.45 million (2011 Census).
- Forms 4.53% of state population.
- Approxiately ~69% Bodos are concentrate in Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).
| District | %age of Assam Bodo |
|---|---|
|
Kokrajhar |
18.5% |
|
Baksa |
22% |
|
Udalguri |
19% |
|
Chirang |
12% |
|
Goalpara |
10% |
|
Darrang |
7% |
|
Sonitpur |
6% |
Mishing Tribe
- 2nd largest plains tribe in Assam.
- Total population ; 680,424 (2011 Census),
- Forming 17.5% of state STs.
- They are concentrated along Brahmaputra’s north bank floodplains
| District | %age of Assam Mishing |
|---|---|
|
Dhemaji |
27% |
|
Lakhimpur |
24% |
|
Dibrugarh |
16% |
|
Jorhat |
8% |
|
Majuli |
4% |
Karbi Tribe
- Karbi tribes dominate Assam’s Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council.
- They primarily inhabit the district’s hilly terrain.
- Total population : ~4.2 lakh (2011 Census).
- Forms ~10% of state ST population.
| District | %age of Assam Karbis |
|---|---|
|
Karbi Anglong |
52.5% |
|
West Karbi Anglong |
37.5% |
|
Golaghat |
5% |
|
Nagaon |
4.6% |
Dimasa Tribe
- Total population ~2.62 lakh (2011 Census)
- Mainly concentrated in Dima Hasao autonomous district.
- Forms 6.5% of Assam ST population
- Dimasas form traditional kingdom heartland in Dima Hasao hills and Barak plains.
| District | %age of Assam Dimasa |
|---|---|
|
Dima Hasao |
53% |
|
Cachar |
24% |
|
Karbi Anglong |
20% |
|
Hailakandi |
2% |
Rabha Tribe
- 3rd largest plains tribe of Assam.
- Total population : 296,189 (2011 Census).
- Forms 7.63% of Assam’s ST population.
- Mainly concentrated in western Assam’s Dooars foothills.
| District | %age of Assam Rabha |
|---|---|
|
Goalpara |
35% |
|
Kamrup Rural |
31% |
|
Udalguri |
10% |
|
Nalbari |
8% |
|
Kokrajhar |
7% |
Tiwa Tribe (Lalungs)
- Total population : 200,915 (2011 Census).
- Forms 5.2% of Assam’s ST population.
- Plains Tiwas (95%) : Morigaon , Nagaon
- Hill Tiwas (5%): Hills in Karbi Anglong.
| District | %age of Assam Tiwas |
|---|---|
|
Morigaon |
53% |
|
Nagaon |
39% |
|
West Karbi Anglong |
3% |
|
Kamrup |
5% |
Sonowal Kacharis
- Total population : 235,881 (2001 Census).
- Forms ~6% of Assam ST population.
- Mainly concentrated in tea garden fringes.
- A prominent Kachari subgroup known for historical gold-washing.
| District | %age of Assam Sonowal Kacharis |
|---|---|
|
Tinsukia |
17% |
|
Dibrugarh |
16% |
|
Jorhat |
15% |
|
Lakhimpur |
11% |
|
Dhemaji |
8% |
Deori Tribe
- Assam’s smallest plains STs (Chutiya subgroup).
- Total population : 43,750 (2011 Census).
- Forms 1.13% of Assam’s ST population.
- Scattered across Upper Assam’s Brahmaputra riverine villages.
| District | %age of Assam Deori |
|---|---|
|
Lakhimpur |
27% |
|
Dhemaji |
21% |
|
Jorhat |
19% |
|
Sivasagar |
16% |
|
Dibrugarh |
12% |
Tea Tribes / Adivasis
- Total population :~70 lakh (2023 estimate).
- Forms 18-20% of Assam’s population.
- They concentrate in 801 tea estates across Upper Assam.
- Mainly descendants of 19th-century Jharkhand migrants.
Communities: Munda (35%), Santhal (20%), Oraon (15%)
| District | %age of Assam Tea tribes / Adivasis |
|---|---|
|
Dibrugarh |
21% |
|
Tinsukia |
19% |
|
Jorhat |
13% |
|
Golaghat |
11% |
|
Sivasagar |
6% |
Singhpo Tribe
- Singhpo tribes : A.k.a. Singpho Tribes.
- A Tai-Kadai hill tribe from Myanmar border areas.
- Total population : ~7,958 (2011 Census).
- Forms <0.2% of Assams ST Population.
- Mainly concentrated near Arunachal-Assam trijunction.
| District | %age of Assam Singhpo |
|---|---|
|
Tinsukia |
50% |
|
Sivasagar |
19% |
|
Jorhat |
13% |
|
Golaghat |
10% |
|
Karbi Anglong |
8% |
Man Tribe
- Total population ~15,000 (2011 Census) in Assam.
- These 18th-century Shan migrants from Myanmar.
Subgroups: Phake (largest), Aiton (oldest), Khamyang (most villages)
| District | %age of Assam Man |
|---|---|
|
Golaghat |
30% |
|
Jorhat |
23% |
|
Dibrugarh |
20% |
|
Tinsukia |
17% |
|
Karbi Anglong |
10% |
Kuki Tribe
- Total population : 33,399 (2011 Census)
- Forms ~0.9% of state ST population
- They concentrate in hill districts under 6th Schedule areas. (no plains presence)
| District | %age of Assam Kuki |
|---|---|
|
Karbi Anglong |
47% |
|
Dima Hasao |
30% |
|
Cachar |
12% |
|
Hailakandi |
5% |
Khelma Tribe
- They are a small Kuki-Chin subgrou.
- Total population ~5,000-7,000 (2011 Census estimates)
- Forms <0.2% of state ST population.
| District | %age of Assam Khelma |
|---|---|
|
Cachar |
50% |
|
Dima Hasao |
42% |
|
Karbi Anglong |
8% |
Hajong Tribe
- Indo-Aryan rice cultivators displaced from Bangladesh floods (1960s).
- Total population : 27,521 in Assam (2011 Census).
- They form ~0.7% of state ST population.
- Settled in Assam-Meghalaya foothills.
| District | %age of Assam Hajong |
|---|---|
|
Goalpara |
44% |
|
Kamrup |
15% |
|
Nagaon |
13% |
|
Dibrugarh |
11% |
|
Dima Hasao |
5% |
Khasi Tribe
- Across Assam’s southern districts bordering Khasi Hills.
- Total population ~35,000 (2011 Census).
- Forms <1% of state ST population.
| District | %age of Assam Khasi |
|---|---|
|
Karbi Anglong |
51% |
|
Dima Hasao |
23% |
|
Cachar |
14% |
|
Goalpara |
6% |
Jaintia Tribe
- Minimal presence in Assam near the border areas.
- Total population ~3,000-5,000 (2011 Census)
- Forms <0.1% of state ST population.
| District | %age of Assam Jaintia |
|---|---|
|
West Karbi Anglong |
50% |
|
Dima Hasao |
30% |
|
Cachar |
12% |
|
Hailakandi |
8% |
Mech Tribe
- Mech tribes (Boro subgroup)
- Traditional Dooars dwellers.
- Total population : 55,992 (2011 Census)
- Forms ~1.4% of state ST population.
| District | %age of Assam Mech |
|---|---|
|
Goalpara |
45% |
|
Kokrajhar |
21% |
|
Baksa |
18% |
|
Bongaigaon |
9% |
Chakma Tribe
- Indo-Burman Buddhist refugees from Bangladesh (1960s-70s).
- Total population : ~15,000-20,000 (2011 Census estimates)
| District | %age of Assam Chakma |
|---|---|
|
Kokrajhar |
39% |
|
Karbi Anglong |
28% |
|
Baksa |
17% |
|
Udalguri |
11% |
Mizo Tribe
- Mizo tribes are Lushai subgroup in Assam.
- Total population ~5,000-8,000 (2011 Census).
- Forms <0.2% of state ST population.
- Concentrated in southern hill districts bordering Mizoram.
| District | %age of Assam Mizo |
|---|---|
|
Karbi Anglong |
53% |
|
Dima Hasao |
23% |
|
Cachar |
15% |
|
Hailakandi |
8% |
Hmar Tribe
- It is a Kuki-Chin hill community.
- Total population : ~65,121 in Assam (2011 Census).
- Form ~1.7% of state ST population.
| District | %age of Assam Hmar |
|---|---|
|
Cachar |
68% |
|
Dima Hasao |
32% |
|
Karbi Anglong |
<1% |
Naga Tribe
- Mainly inhabits along Arunachal-Nagaland border areas.
- Total population : ~45,000-50,000 (2011 Census).
- Form ~1.3% of state ST population.
| District | %age of Assam Naga |
|---|---|
|
Karbi Anglong |
52% |
|
Sivasagar |
17% |
|
Golaghat |
15% |
|
Jorhat |
10% |
Barmans Tribe
- Plains-dwelling Dimasa subgroup outside 6th Schedule areas.
- Total population ~97,904 (2024 estimates) across Barak Valley.
| District | %age of Assam Barmans |
|---|---|
|
Sribhumi |
31% |
|
Hailakandi |
26% |
|
Cachar |
22% |
|
Hojai |
12% |
|
Nagaon |
9% |
Khampti Tribe
- Khamptis are Tai Shan tribes from Myanmar
- Total population : ~1,400 in Assam.
- Forms <0.01% of state ST population.
| District | %age of Assam Khampti |
|---|---|
|
Tinsukia |
50% |
|
Lakhimpur |
36% |
|
Dibrugarh |
14% |
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