Reang Tribe (Bru)

The Reang (locally known as Bru) is an indigenous ethnic group primarily found in the states of Tripura, Mizoram, and Assam in India. They are recognized as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) in Tripura, highlighting their unique cultural heritage and the challenges they face in maintaining their traditional lifestyle.

Key Details About the Reang Tribe:

• Location:
• Primarily in Tripura, also found in Mizoram and Assam.
• PVTG Status:
• The Reang community is the only PVTG in Tripura, which recognizes their socio-economic vulnerabilities and the need for protection and development.
• Origin:
• The Reang migrated from the Shan State (Myanmar) to the Chittagong Hill Tracts and later to Southern Tripura.
• Another group of Reang migrated via Assam and Mizoram in the 18th century.
• Ethnic Stock:
• The tribe belongs to the Indo-Mongoloid racial stock, sharing similarities with other tribes in the region.
• Language:
• They speak "Kaubru", a dialect of Kok-Borok, which has tonal influences from the Kuki language. This places their language under the Tibeto-Burmese linguistic family.
• Clans:
• There are two major clans: Meska and Molsoi.
• Social Structure:
• The community has a well-knit structure, with a rigid and self-governing system that preserves traditional practices and governance.
• Economic Activities:
• Traditionally, the Reang people practiced Jhum cultivation (shifting agriculture), but they have increasingly transitioned to modern agricultural practices.
• Religious Beliefs:
• The majority of the Reang follow Hinduism, worshipping several deities such as Buraha, Bonirao, Songragma, Jampira, and Lampra.

Cultural Heritage:

One of the most notable aspects of Reang culture is their Hojagiri folk dance, a traditional dance form that has gained global recognition.

• Hojagiri Dance:
• Performers: The dance is typically performed by young women and girls from the Reang community.
• Team Size: Usually, the dance involves 4–6 members.
• Props: Performers balance objects like a bottle or pitcher on their heads and lamps in their hands.
• Movement: The dancers only move the lower half of their body, creating a graceful wave-like motion from their waist down to their feet.
• Music: The dance is accompanied by traditional instruments such as the Khamb, bamboo flute, and bamboo cymbals.
• Attire: Reang women wear black Pachra (a traditional garment) and Rea (a ring made of coins) covering their upper body. They also adorn themselves with coin rings in their ears and decorate with fragrant flowers.
• Significance of Hojagiri:
• The Hojagiri dance is not just a performance but a representation of the community's cultural identity, which is why the tribe has demanded that Tripura declare a holiday on Hojagiri Day to celebrate this important cultural tradition.

The Reang tribe's demands and the recognition of their cultural contributions highlight their rich heritage and the importance of preserving indigenous traditions in the face of modernization.