Context:
For the first time, Bru voters exercised their franchise in Tripura Lok Sabha election.
Bru Tribe:
- Also known as – Reangs
- Indigenous to – North-East
- Living mostly in – Tripura, Mizoram, and Assam.
- Belong to – Indo-Mongoloids
- Ethnically divided into – 2 major clans namely Meska and Molsoi.
- Language – “Kaubru”, a Kok-Borok dialect.
- Ethnically distinct from the Mizos of Mizoram.
- Over 30000 Brus fled Mizoram following ethnic clashes with Mizo tribes in 1997 and were forced to live in the refugee camps in Tripura.
- In 2020, a quadripartite agreement (among Centre, Governments of Tripura and Mizoram, and Bru-Reang representatives) was signed to facilitate permanent settlement of Bru refugees in Tripura.
- Status – Recognised as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group in Tripura
- Occupation – Still a nomadic tribe and involve in Jhum Cultivation
- Religion – They are Hindus and most of their deities are akin to gods and goddesses of the Hindu faith.
- Followers of Vaishnavism are found in good numbers.
- Marriage – Traditionally endogamous and does not marry outside their community.
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
A community of people called Manganiyars is well-known for their
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2014 Prelims]
(a) Martial arts in North-East India
(b) Musical tradition in North-West India
(c) Classical vocal music in South India
(d) Pietra dura tradition in Central India
Answer: (b)
