Context:
Reang tribe seeks recognition for its language
Reang Tribe:
- 2nd largest indigenous tribal community in Tripura.
- Smaller populations in Mizoram and Assam.
- Belong to the Indo-Mongoloid race
- Language – Speak Kaubru, a dialect of the Kok-Borok language, which belongs to the Tibeto-Burmese language family.
- Practice nomadic agriculture, Jhum Cultivation and other food gathering activities.
- Social Structure – Has a well-structured, self-governing system with a rigid community organization that plays a key role in tribal decision-making and governance.
- Endogamous (marry within their community).
- Cultural Practices – Hojagiri dance
- Performed by young women and girls from the Reang community.
- Played in a team of 4–6 members
- Dancers balance objects on their head and hands, such as a bottle or pitcher on the head and lamps on the hands.
- Use musical instruments like the Khamb, bamboo flute, and bamboo cymbal.
- Religion – Majority of the Reang people follow Hinduism.
- Status – A Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groupin India identified based on the Dhebar Commission recommendation.
Source: The Indian Express
Previous Year Question
With reference to India, the terms ‘Halbi, Ho and Kui’ pertain to
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2021 Prelims]
(a) dance forms of Northwest India
(b) musical instruments
(c) prehistoric cave paintings
(d) tribal languages
Answer: (d)