Tripura, a small state in the North Eastern Region of the country is inhabited by about 32 lakhs people of whom 31 percent belong to the tribal communities.Most of the tribal communities live in hill areas. Not less than 19 different tribes have been settled living in fraternity and peace. Each Tribe has its own language,religion , social customs and culture. Naturally, they present a series of colourful festivals and cultural varieties. In absence of any authentic document on the history of socio-cultural status of each tribe, not much have been written on these subjects. There are about nineteen different tribes living in Tripura peacefully, the Tripuries, Jamatia, Noatia, Reang, Halam, Chakmah, Mog, Garo, Munda, Lushai, Oraon, Santhal, Uchai, Khasi,Bhil,Lepcha, Bhutia, Chaimal and Kuki have their own cultural heritage. However, of these Tripuri and Reang are the rominent tribes living since historical days. The proximity to each other is not distorting the purity of their cultural identity.

Tripuries form the biggest tribe of the state comprising about 60% of the total tribal population. It is estimated that more than one lakh Tripuries live in hittagong Hill Tracts, Chandpur and Kumilla areas in Bangladesh. They belong to the Bode group of Indo-Mongloid origin and they are one of the Kakborak linguistic groups. So far religion is concerned, Hinduism dominates this tribe though traits of animism, are also found. The origin of the cultural explosion among the Tripuries can be traced to the court of the Tripuri Kings, most of whom, being lover of culture, provided utmost patronisation.The golden fruit of Bengals literature and culture has also had a great effect on the Royal cultural ambience which crossing the border of the court became the universal culture of the Tripuris.

After Tripuris , Reang are the second biggest tribe of Tripura. Some historians and writers have preferred to call them a clan of the Tripuris.Though socio-cultural customs and style of living are totally different from those of the Tripuris.Their Language Kau Bru is distinctively different from Kakborak.It is said that the Reang came from Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh to Tripura years back. The linguistic similarity between the two has been a result of influence of the Tripuris due to decades of co-existence. Mongloid originated Reangs prime faith is animism.Still they worship several Hindu deities also.

Noatias are believed to be a branch of the Tripuries. It is interesting to note that none of the Noatias uses Noatia as their surname. Instead they use Tripuri after their names. It has been observed that those who had been living in Tripura for many genertions claim to be original Tripuris and those who had come from East Bengal are passed off as Noatias. Moreover, their socio-cultural rites , rituals and customs are very much identical with those of the Tripuri who also use Debbarma instead of Tripuri after their names. Therefore, it would be misleading to say that Tripuries and Noatias are different communities.

The origin of the Kokborok speaking Jamatias is still shrouded in assumptions and heresays. Holder of Mongloid countenance, they are the third largest tribal group of Tripura Jamatias are hard working agriculturists and are conscious about cultural values. Different cultural activities like song, dance and acting add diversity to their lives. A staunch Hindu tribe Jamatias also practice their conventional rites and rituals.They are the most organized among all the tribes of Tripura and the highest body of the community is called Hoda.

Uchais are a minor tribe of Tripura.Census of 1971 projected Uchai population in Tripura as only 1061. Real history of the Uchais could not be established. Captain Lewin has termed them as a sub-clan of the Tripuris. A hill area called Duapathar in Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh is said to be the original homeland of the Uchais. They are also of the Mongloid origin and look like other tribal people of Tripura. are simple in their dressing, manner and food habits which include various vegetables, fish and meat of different domestic and wild animals. They love to drink home-made wine and love to smoke. The main source of livelihood of the community is jum cultivation.