Anthropologically belonging to the Mongoloid race - the Tripura’s are enriched in culture and tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation for centuries. Apart from the well known Goria dance, the community has a vibrant culture.
The mother tongue of the Tripuris is Kok-Borok, written in Devanagori alphabets. While some people also use Roman alphabets due to the influx of European missionaries. A language attached to the Tebeto Nurmese branch of Asian group under the Austronesian family. The Government of India restored the old status of Kok-borok, which was the state language before 1949, on 19th January 1979.
Tripurabda is the name of the Tripura calendar and the abridged written form is Tring. The calendar is 300 years older than the Bengali calendar and 590 years older than the Gregorian calendar. It is learnt from the Rajmala chronicle that Tripurabda was introduced in 590 AD when the great king of Tripura Biraj Hamtor Fa conquered Bengal.
Generally, the wedding ceremonies in Tripura society are solemnised in three different ways which are Kaijarai Kouchang or Prajapatya marriage, Kaijalai Bochong or Gandharva marriage and Kaijalai kusur or asura marriage. Wedding rituals are performed in two ways, the Tantrik and the Vedic way.
Like all other indigenous communities the Tripura also do agricultural production by Jhum cultivation. A traditional method to cultivate agricultural goods and accompanied with performance of music and dance which is believed to increase the yield.
Since a majority of Tripura’s are followers of Hinduism, common festivals like the Durga Puja, Navaratri, Vijayadashami, Holi and Diwali are celebrated as religious functions. Besides important cultural festivals like Garia, Ker Ganga and Gajan are observed all around the community
The Tripuri women are very fond of ornaments. Some typical ornaments designed in accordance with the indigenous characteristics of Tripuri ladies are: bengki, bara, kunchi, tal, kharchi, anchli, rangvahatang, toya, wakhum, suram, sange, nake, lounk, aitam, changkhung, batang, kungbar, angta, talbatang, khanaisep etc. In the past, the males of Tripura also used to wear ornaments.
Written by Souradeep Chakma
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