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 THE PEOPLE
Indigenous communities form about 30 per cent of Tripura's
population. The Kokborok-speaking Tripuri people are the major group among 19
tribes and many sub-tribes; Bengali people form the ethno-linguistic majority.
According to the provisional census of 2011, the total human population of the
state of Tripura is 3,671,032. The highlands are areas of sparse population and
the lowlands are densely populated. In Tripura, there are not only people
hailing from different regions but also people constituting different ethnic
groups. Each ethnic tribe has its own language and distinctive forms of
cultural expressions, such as music, dance and festivals.
The major tribes residing here are:Tripuri, Reang, Chakma,
Halam, Garo, Lusei, Darlong.
THE MUSIC AND DANCE OF TRIPURA
Music and dances are integral part of the Tripuri tribal communities. Songs are
sung during religious occasions, weddings, and other festivals. Each tribal
community has their own repertoire of songs and dances. The Tripuri and Jamatia
tribe perform Goria dance during the Goria Puja;Jhum Dance (also called
Tangbiti Dance)is performed in the harvest season, Lebang Dance, Mamita Dance,
and MosakSulmani Dance are other spectacularTripuri dances. Reang community,
the second largest tribe of the state, are noted for their hojagiri dance
performed by young girls balancing on earthen pitchers. The Bizhu dance is
performed by the Chakmas during the Bizhu festival (the last day of the month
of Chaitra). Other tribal dances are Wangala dance of the Garo people, Hai-hak
dance of the Halam branch of Kuki people, Sangrai dance and Owa dance of the
Mog tribe, and others.
THE CULTURE OF TRIPURA
The undulating hill-scape of the state’s sixty per cent covered
with lush greenery of forest which resonates with the traditional tribal music
and dances on ceremonial occasions.Bengali people represent the largest
non-tribal community of the state. Bengali culture, as a result, is the main
non-tribal culture in the state. Indeed many tribal families, especially those
who are from the elite class and reside in urban centres, have embraced Bengali
culture more than their tribal cultural roots.
However, Bengali culture coexists with tribal traditional
practices, notably the Tripuri culture. One of the most remarkable and
interesting facts about Tripuri Culture is that they have 9 different kinds of
marriages viz. NokkaisaKaimung (Marriage by exchange), KharlaiKaijakmani
(Marriage by elopement), PhuisaiTubuma (Marriage by purchase),
KoklamKwrwiKaimung (Marriage by capture), HamjaklaiKaijakmani (Marriage by
love), Siklasogyakaimani (Child marriage), Chamariomor (Marriage by service),
Chamariompa, Sundulphulmani (Widow remarriage).
Bengali is the most spoken language, due to the predominance of
Bengali people in the state. Kokborok is a prominent language among the tribes.
Several other languages belonging to Indo-European and Sino-Tibetan families
are spoken by the different tribes.
Tripura is noted for bamboo and cane handicrafts. Bamboo played
important part in the jhum cultivation (shifting cultivation) of the tribes. It
was used to make watch stations on stilts, and was devised to carry food and
water. Besides these usages, bamboo, wood and cane were used to create an array
of furniture, utensils, hand-held fans, replicas, mats, baskets, idols and
interior decoration materials.
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Abstract:-Bodo’s widely known as Boro’s have a rich and good knowledge on traditional things whether it is folk medicines or folk foods. They have been accustomed with the tradition since the ancient period and in present days too. They have a well acquainted with the things surrounded to them and skilled in every sphere of works i.e. weaving, hunting, cookery, agriculture and architecture etc. Rice beer or zou that is prepared by cooking of rice is one of cookery which is a skilled work and traditional drinks of the Bodo’s since the ancient time. Rice beer or zou is used by them for different purposes and in different occasions. It has variety of types according to its taste and flavour and with the rice used for preparation of rice beer. All these types have been inclusive term of zou but have different names with different taste and flavour. Each and every family member of Bodo knows’ how rice beer is to be prepared as it has been remained as a part of tradition among the communit
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