Tribal Culture of the North-East

This book "Tribal Culture of the North-East" is an attempt to highlight the tribal lores of the seven states of the North-Eastern India, popularly known as "Seven Sisters". This region comprises, Assam, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura. All these states have survived through centuries amidst various natural calamities viz., earthquake, flood and invasions. In ancient times, this region was known as Pragjyotishpura and then Kamrupa. The Aryans, simultaneously with the Mongoloids, have lived here together for centuries. The epic The Mahabharata, the Puranas like Vishnu Purana, Padma Purana, Kalika Purana, Bana’s Harsha Charit, Kalahana’s Rajatarangini, Hieun-Tsang’s account, even the rock pillars, capper plates, tantric text Yogini Tantra and the writings of the medieval Muhammeddan historians like Sihab-U-ddin Talish, Mirza Nathan and others too have spoken high of this region and the people. Even the British were attracted by its scenic beauty of nature with full of hills and dales. In this very region, Robert Bruce, in 1823, discovered the suitable land for tea plantation. The mythical king Bana in Sonitpur, Bhishmaka, the father of Rukmini in Kundila, once ruled in this very region. There are many common traits among all the people, tribals or non tribals, Hindus, Muhammedans, Christians etc. in social life, popular beliefs and others. All are rice-eaters, because good qualities of paddy is grown here in abundance. Betel nut and betel leaf are considered sacred. Besides, there is a common social practice of offering betel nut and betel leaf (‘Guwa’ and ‘Pan’) to a guest. There is, of course, a great diversity in matters of dress, traditional ornaments, handicrafts and artisan works. Still, there are striking similarities amidst a large variety. Even a non-tribal Assamese woman wears a ‘Mekhela’ and ‘Chadar’ similar to a Rabha damsel’s ‘Lufun’ and ‘Kambang’. The people live mostly scattered and self-isolated due to the great inconvenience by means of transport and communication. Some states like Mizoram, Meghalaya have no railway line at all. Now, the state governments and private buses have brought about considerable changes in transport and road communication.