List of Scheduled Tribes in Assam

The Constitution of India categorizes the tribes of Assam into two groups: Scheduled Tribes (Hills) and Scheduled Tribes (Plains). ^[1] Since hills tribes living in the plains and plains tribes living in the hills in large numbers are not recognised as scheduled tribes in the respective places, the census data may not reflect the correct figures. ^[1] Assamese language is used as the lingua franca by almost all the tribes. ^[1] According to the 2001 census, Scheduled Tribes made up 12.4 percent of Assam's population. ^[2] The Assam Tribune reported in 2009 that the tribal communities of Assam were accounted for 15.64 percent of the total population. ^[1]

Overview

Autonomous division of North East India

Distribution of Scheduled Tribes of Assam, 2011 census ^[3]

1. Autonomous district (17.42%)
2. Outside autonomous district (77.97%)
3. Generic Tribes of both the region (4.61%)

According to 2011 census, only two district viz, Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao are considered as autonomous district

According to the 2011 census, Assam has a Scheduled Tribes (ST) population of 3,884,371 which makes up 12.44% of the state's total population. The major Scheduled Tribes in Assam are the Boro (35.06%), Miri (17.52%), Karbi (11.08%), Rabha (7.63%), and Kachari (6.52%). ^[3]

However, the Scheduled status of these tribes is subject to specific territories. In the autonomous districts of Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao, the prominent tribal groups are the Karbi (63.63%), Dimasa (including Kachari) (15.22%), any Kuki tribe (4.94%), and any Naga tribe (4.4%). Outside these two autonomous districts, the main Scheduled Tribes are the Boro (44.96%), Miri (22.46%), Rabha (9.78%), Kachari (including Sonwal) (8.38%), Lalung (6.03%), and Garo (4.49%). ^[3]

Language of Scheduled Tribes of Assam, 2011 census ^[4]

1. Boro (33.39%)
2. Assamese (24.73%)
3. Miri/Mushing (15.39%)
4. Karbi/Mikir (11.31%)
5. Garo (4.09%)
6. Dimasa (3.05%)
7. Rabha (2.55%)
8. Other (5.49%)

In terms of linguistic demographics, 33.39% of the total Scheduled Tribe population in Assam speak Boro, 24.73% speak Assamese, 15.39% speak Miri/Mishing, 11.31% speak Karbi/Mikir, 4.09% speak Garo, 3.05% speak Dimasa, and 2.55% speak Rabha. ^[4] Other languages spoken among the Scheduled Tribes include Haijong (26,540 speakers), Lalung (25,373), Deori (24,766), Zemi (19,561), Kuki (18,652), Hmar (17,584), Khasi (11,520), and Bengali (11,163). Additionally, there are speakers of Rengma, Rongmei, Hindi, Pnar/Synteng, Chakma, Nepali, Ao, Thado, Kachari, and Luhasi/Mizo languages. ^[4]

List of tribes

In the autonomous districts of Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills

• Boro, Borokachari
• Chakma
• Dimasa, Kachari
• Garo
• Hajong
• Hmar
• Tripura
• Khasi, Jaintia, Synteng, Pnar, War, Bhoi, Lyngngam
• Lakher
• Man (Tai speaking)
• Karbi
• Pawi
• Syntheng
• Lalung
• Any Mizo (Lushai) tribes
• Any Naga tribes
• Any Kuki tribes

In the State of Assam excluding Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills

• Barmans in Cachar
• Boro, Borokachari
• Deori
• Hojai
• Kachari, Sonowal
• Lalung
• Mech
• Miri
• Rabha
• Dimasa
• Hajong
• Garo
• Mising

See also

• Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

References

1. "The Scheduled Tribes of Assam". Assam Tribune. 10 July 2009. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
2. "Data highlights: The Scheduled Tribes" (PDF). censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
3. "A-11 Appendix: District wise scheduled tribe population (Appendix), Assam - 2011". Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India.
4. "ST-15: Scheduled tribe by mother tongue (for each tribe separately) (State/UT level), Assam - 2011". Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India.