Assam Scheduled Tribes

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The total Population of Assam in 2011 Census has been 31,169,272. Of them Scheduled Tribes (STs), constitutes 12.4 per cent of the total population of the state. There are total twenty three (23) notified STs in the state.

Population: Size & Distribution

Among STs, Boro represents nearly half of the total ST population of the state (40.9 per cent). Miri (17.8 per cent), Mikir (10.7 per cent), Rabha (8.4 per cent), Kachari (i.e. Sonowal Kachari) (7.1 per cent), and Lalung (5.2 per cent) are the other major STs each having 5 per cent or above of total STs. Along with Boro they constitute 90 per cent ST population of the state. Besides them, Dimasa constitutes 3.4 per cent and Deori 1.2 per cent of the total ST population of the state. The rest of the Scheduled Tribes are very small in their population size.

The ST population in Assam is predominantly rural with 95.3 per cent rural and only 4.7 per cent urban population. Of the eight major STs, Dimasa have recorded the highest 10.4 per cent urban population, followed by Mikir (8.3 per cent). On the other hand Miri have recorded the lowest 1.8 per cent urban population.

North Cachar Hills and Karbi Anglong the two autonomous hill districts of Assam are predominantly tribal housing two important STs of Assam – the Dimasa and Mikir (now recognized as Karbi). As per 2001 Census, the North Cachar Hills has got the highest 68.3 per cent ST population, followed by Karbi Anglong (55.7 per cent). In absolute number Karbi Anglong is on top sharing 13.7 per cent of the total ST population . Hailakandi, Karimganj, and Cachar districts have a negligible presence of ST population.

Major tribes are

Bodo

The Bodo are a people mostly living in Assam in India, mainly in the north region of the Brahmaputra River Valley. They also live in Bangladesh. The Bodo are wanting to be a self-ruling state and this has been and is causing disputes and much trouble as a result.
The Bodo speak in a Tibeto-Burmese language and they read and write in Devanagari. They eat rice and fish and pork. They like to drink rice wine. The Bodo like to dance. The Bodo do weaving and also make bamboo items. Many are farmers. They have many tribes and were once dominant in Assam.
Some of the Bodo follow Brahmoism which is a Hindu reform movement. Amongst the Bodo there are Christians too. Some of the Bodo follow Bathouism in which they worship ancestors. They believe that people come from a mixture of sky, earth, air, water and fire. They like to worship near home or in a courtyard. Betel leaves and rice are used for example as offerings. Their most important festival is called Kherai Puja and the altar is put in a rice field. Bathoubwrai is the main deity in Bathouism.

Miri

Miris have cross-cousin marriages. Cultivation and fishing are their main work. They also work as laborers in agriculture. They speak a Tibeto-Burman language and Hindi too. Meat is eaten by them except beef and they have rice as a cereal.

The dead are buried away from the village they live in. They have a traditional community council to look after them. They are Hindus by religion.

The Mishing are also animists. Mishing means man of worthiness. The bereaved can marry again. There houses are built on stilts.

Karbi

The Karbis mentioned as the Mikirs in the Constitution Order, Govt. of India, constitute an important ethnic group in the hill areas of Assam. However, they never call themselves Mikir but call themselves Karbi and sometimes Arlengwhich literally means a man.

Although at present, they are found to inhabit in the Karbi Anglong District, nevertheless, some Karbi inhabited pockets are found in the North Cachar Hills, Kamrup, Morigaon, Nagaon and Sonitpur Districts also. Racially the Karbis belong to the Mongoloid group and linguistically they belong to the Tibeto-Burman group.

From the point of view of habitation, the Karbis are divided into 3(three) groups namely ‘CHINTHONG‘, ‘RONGHANG’ and ‘AMRI’. These groups are otherwise known as Chinthong, Nilip-Ronghang and Amri Marlong. Those who live in the plains districts are called ‘DUMRALI’. Fundamentally, these groups do not differ each other and they should not be confused with clans.

Sonowal Kacharis

The Sonowal Kacharis are one of the scheduled Bodo tribes (plains) of Assam. They are concentrated monthly in the districts of Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Jorhat Lakhimpur, Dhemaji and Sivasagar. Their population is estimated around 2 lakh. Agriculture is the main occupation of the Sonowal Kacharis. They are mostly cultivators, so, their economy mainy base on agriculture. Every family has sufficient land for agriculture. At least one grannary is seen in every house. They practise both ‘Ahu’ and ‘Sali’ paddy.

The Poultry is a very popular practice among Sonowal Kacharis. They rears hens and ducks. Cattle rearing is also an another important practice among them.

Monogramy is the most popular form of marriage but acquiring more than one wives is permissible if the first wife gives her Consent to it due to some reasons. The practice of inter-caste marriage is not rare. Though this system of marriage is generally not supported by the parents yet it is seen that there is no hard and fast rule regarding this matter.
In case, a Sonowal Kachari girl marries a boy of other caste then their Society accepted them easily. Now-a-days bride-price among Sonowal Kacharis is not accepted. In the present day society, five type of marriages are performed among them.

Lalung/Tiwa

Tiwas live on the flat lands of the Southern bank of the Brahmaputra valley, mostly in Morigaon, Nagaon, Kamrup & Kamrup (M) districts. The vast majority speaks Assamese as their mother tongue, Tiwa language being still spoken on the foothills and in rare villages of the plains. Their descent system is definitely patrilineal. Their patronymics does not consist in their clan’s names but in common Assamese/Other ethnic Tribes surname-names instead (mostly Pator, Bordoloi, Konwar, Das, Kakoti, Deka, Dewri/Deuri/Deory etc). Their religion share many Elements with Assamese Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism, but remains specific.

Assam is a state in north-eastern India. It is bordered by Bhutan to the north, Arunachal Pradesh to the north-east, Nagaland to the east, Manipur to the south-east, Mizoram to the south, Tripura to the south-west, Meghalaya to the west, and Bangladesh to the south-west and west. The Brahmaputra River flows through the state, and the capital city is Guwahati.

Assam is home to a diverse population of over 35 million people. The majority of the population is Hindu, followed by Muslims, Christians, and Sikhs. The state is also home to a number of indigenous tribes, which are collectively known as the Scheduled Tribes of Assam.

The Scheduled Tribes of Assam are a diverse group of people with their own unique cultures and languages. The largest Scheduled Tribe in Assam is the Bodo, followed by the Karbi, the Mishing, and the Garo. Other Scheduled Tribes in Assam include the Deori, the Dimasa, the Hmar, the Khasi, the Kuki, the Lalung, the Naga, the Rabha, the Santal, the Tiwa, and the Zeme.

The Scheduled Tribes of Assam have a long and rich history. The Bodo, for example, are believed to have migrated to Assam from Tibet in the 13th century. The Karbi are believed to have migrated to Assam from the hills of Meghalaya in the 15th century. The Mishing are believed to have migrated to Assam from the hills of Arunachal Pradesh in the 16th century. The Garo are believed to have migrated to Assam from the hills of Bangladesh in the 17th century.

The Scheduled Tribes of Assam have traditionally lived in rural areas, and many still do today. However, there has been a significant Migration of Scheduled Tribes to urban areas in recent years. This migration is due to a number of factors, including the search for better Education and EMPLOYMENT opportunities.

The Scheduled Tribes of Assam face a number of challenges. One of the biggest challenges is POVERTY. According to the 2011 census, the poverty rate among Scheduled Tribes in Assam is 34.8%, which is significantly higher than the national Average of 21.9%.

Another challenge faced by the Scheduled Tribes of Assam is lack of education. According to the 2011 census, the Literacy rate among Scheduled Tribes in Assam is 66.4%, which is lower than the national average of 74.0%.

The Scheduled Tribes of Assam also face discrimination. They are often marginalized and excluded from mainstream society. This discrimination can be seen in a number of areas, including education, employment, and healthcare.

Despite the challenges they face, the Scheduled Tribes of Assam have made significant contributions to the state. They have played a major role in the development of Assam’s economy and culture. They have also fought for their rights and have made progress in improving their lives.

The Scheduled Tribes of Assam are a vital part of the state’s population. They have a rich history and culture, and they have made significant contributions to the state. It is important to recognize the challenges they face and to support their efforts to improve their lives.

Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about Assam:

What is the capital of Assam?
Guwahati is the capital of Assam.
What is the population of Assam?
The population of Assam is 31,169,272 as of 2020.
What is the language spoken in Assam?
Assamese is the Official Language of Assam.
What is the religion of Assam?
The majority religion in Assam is Hinduism.
What is the currency of Assam?
The currency of Assam is the Indian rupee.
What is the time zone of Assam?
The time zone of Assam is UTC+5:30.
What is the Climate of Assam?
The climate of Assam is tropical monsoon.
What are some of the tourist attractions in Assam?
Some of the tourist attractions in Assam include Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park, and Dibru-Saikhowa National Park.
What are some of the famous people from Assam?
Some of the famous people from Assam include Bhupen Hazarika, Jyoti Prasad Agarwala, and Lakshminath Bezbaruah.
What are some of the traditional foods of Assam?
Some of the traditional foods of Assam include pitha, bhaat, and fish curry.
What are some of the festivals celebrated in Assam?
Some of the festivals celebrated in Assam include Bihu, Rongali Bihu, and Magh Bihu.
What are some of the challenges faced by Assam?
Some of the challenges faced by Assam include poverty, Unemployment, and Corruption.
What are some of the opportunities for Assam?
Some of the opportunities for Assam include tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing.
What is the future of Assam?
The future of Assam is bright. The state has a young population, a rich culture, and a strong economy. With the right policies in place, Assam can achieve its full potential.

Sure, here are some MCQs without mentioning the topic Assam Scheduled Tribes:

Which of the following is not a Scheduled Tribe in India?
(A) Gond
(B) Bhil
(C) Santal
(D) Brahmin
Which of the following is not a state in India with a large Scheduled Tribe population?
(A) Assam
(B) Madhya Pradesh
(C) Maharashtra
(D) Kerala
The Scheduled Tribes are a group of people who are considered to be indigenous to India. They are often referred to as “Adivasis” or “tribals”.
(A) True
(B) False
The Scheduled Tribes have a rich culture and heritage. They have their own languages, religions, and customs.
(A) True
(B) False
The Scheduled Tribes have been marginalized and discriminated against for centuries. They have been denied access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
(A) True
(B) False
The government of India has taken some steps to improve the lives of the Scheduled Tribes. These steps include providing them with reservation in education and employment, and setting up special development programs for them.
(A) True
(B) False
The Scheduled Tribes have made significant progress in recent years. They have made gains in education, employment, and Health. However, they still face many challenges.
(A) True
(B) False
The Scheduled Tribes are an important part of the Indian Society. They have a unique culture and heritage that enriches the country.
(A) True
(B) False
The Scheduled Tribes are a vital part of the Indian economy. They play an important role in agriculture, Forestry, and mining.
(A) True
(B) False
The Scheduled Tribes are a proud and resilient people. They have a strong sense of community and identity.
(A) True
(B) False