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The Chakmas, the fourth largest tribal group in Tripura migrated from the
Chittagony hill tracts and settled in the territory of hill Tripura. They are
attracted towards this land because of splendid opportunities available in the
territory for jhooming.
They are now generally settled in Kailusahar, Udaipur, Amarpur, Sabroom and
Belonia. Most of them are Buddhist. Their chiefs, called Dewans, exercise great
authority and influence within the community in all internal matters. The
Chakmas in Tripura lag much behind in education. Smoking is quite a habit among
them, although they are in general not so addicted to drink. The Chakmas
celebrate the funeral ceremony with great pomp and dignity. In their religious
practices, one finds a curious blending of Buddhism, Vaishnavism and even Islam.
The
Halams: The section of Kukis who had submitted to the Tripura raja
came to be known as Halams. Originally the tribe was divided into twelve
sub-groups or dafas. But, now there are as many as sixteen clans which make the
whole Halam community.
Generally the Halams are followers of the Sakti cult, but the majority are
Vaishnavites. They believe that God is one but has different manifestation and
therefore should be appeased separately. They also believe in the existence of
spirits with super-natural powers. The ker and Bara puja are the two important
festivals of this community.
Famous for their ferocity, on the one hand, and for an innate sense of devotion,
on the other hand, they were recruited to the army of this east while native
state in large numbers.
Like other Tribal women of the land, the Halam women are skilled weavers and
weave their own garments which consists of two separate pieces, a knee-high
scarf and a breast garment. Apart from weaving, the women carry on their usual
and traditional house-hold duties like cooking, husking rice, marketing etc,
also helping their men in cultivation and other outdoor activities.
The Moghs, another group of Tripuris, were originally inhabitants of Arahan.
They are generally free from any intra-communal or inter-group class
distinctions. As a community, the people are very disciplined, self-reliant and
peace-loving and meek.
The Mogh women, are strong, stout, and industrious, performing all the household
activities, besides weaving their own garments. Like the Halam women, they are
very fond of gorgeous ornaments and dresses.The chief means of their livelihood is
jhooming. A few among them are engaged in
plough cultivation in addition to jhooming.
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