Hrongkhols Tribe is a tiny group of people residing in the Dima Hasao District in the North Eastern state of India, Assam. Dima Hasao District was earlier called North Cachar Hills District. Hrongkhols are believed to be a branch of the Kuki tribe. They are differently described as Hrangkawal or Rongkhol. This tribe mainly belongs to the agricultural family and is very good in building houses with wooden slit and bamboo. A number of festivals describe the culture of this tribal group of Dima Hasao District.
Lifestyle of Hrongkhols Tribe
They are mainly agriculturists and practice Jhum cultivation. They live in a scattered manner. Their houses are built on wooden slit and they use bamboo profusely for the floor, the walls and thatch for the roofs. The people of this tribal group relish smoking from tiny but elaborate smoking pipes like those used by the Mizos. The mostly spoken languages in the district of Dima Hasao are Dimasa, Hrangkhol, Zeme, Khasi, and Kuki.
Festivals of Hrongkhols Tribe
Hrongkhols celebrate various festivals with great enthusiasm. They observe the harvest festival called Rual-Chapak and invite the spring season through Parangat festival. `Parangat` means flower. Hrongkhols observe Parangat on a full moon day. This festival begins in the evening and continues till next morning. Except the main entry to the village, all other paths remain closed for the day. They collect wild flowers from the nearby forest and thereafter they greet each other and welcome the advent of spring. They sing and dance the whole night.
Like other hill tribes, fish is a symbol of prosperity to the Hrongkhols. They present a special dance `Bhailam` to some honourable persons into their village. The male dancers wear Churia, Kamis, Lukom, Changkaltak and the female participants wear Ponbomtak, Ponamnei, Kongkhit, and Thepbop. They use ornaments called Jakcher, Chumhrui and Lirthei. In these festivals, song and dance performances are the main attractions. The prominent folk dances of this tribal group of Dima Hasao District of Assam are Darlam, Doinkini, Rochemiam and Soksollam. They play some traditional musical instruments like Dar, Cheranda, Rochem, Theile, etc. All these songs and dances reflect the rich culture of the Hrongkhols.
