Reang

They speak a dialect of Kokborok language, which is Tibeto-Burmese in origin and known locally as Kau Bru.

The Bru or Reang Community is made up of 12 clans or panjis: Molsoi, Tuimui, Msha, Taumayakcho, Apeto, Wairem, Meska, Raikchak, Chorkhi, Chongpreng, Nouhkham, and Yakstam.

[5] In 2018, following the Union Home Ministry's decision to give voting rights to around 30,000 people who had fled from Mizoram to Tripura in 1997 in the wake of inter-community violence, The Election Commission asked the State of Mizoram to revise its rolls for the 2018 polls and include the members of the internally-displaced community.

[6] On 16 January 2020, a quadripartite agreement was signed among the Centre, state governments of Tripura and Mizoram and Bru representatives to facilitate permanent settlement of Bru IDPs( Internally displaced people's) from Mizoram in Tripura, benefitting around 34,000 IDPs.

According to the legend, a Tripuri prince who was once exiled by the King made his way, along with his followers, to the Mayani Thalang area of Lushai hills and founded a state over there.

At around the same time, bitter feud and internal vendetta saw four chiefs of the following sub tribes Twikluha, Yongsika, Paisika, Tuibruha leave their hearth and home along with their entourages to migrate back to the state of Tripura.

It was a long and arduous journey, fraught with danger and the travellers had to make more than a couple of attempts before they successfully made their way up the Dombur hill.

Finally in desperation, they breached the dam on the Gumti river where worshippers had gathered for prayers.

But before the King could pass his judgement, the chiefs managed to send word to the Queen Gunoboti.

The chiefs swore fealty to the Queen and to the throne of Tripura and settled down in the Kingdom.

Popular legend has it that the Queen even offered the chiefs breast milk, to symbolise their new parent-child relationship, in a large brass pan which was given to the chiefs along with other valuable things, carefully preserved by Reangs to date.

There is no dowry system, but the bridegroom has to spend a period of two years in the (future) father-in-law's house for before marriage is performed.

[2] (2) Chamarui: This is a proba-tionary marriage system where the groom remains with the bride's family for a predetermined amount of time.

Additionally, a widower is prohibited from being married again before the ritualistic rite honoring his late wife is finished.

However modernisation has caught up with the Bru and most urban Reang no longer wear their traditional costumes.

[18] The Reang women are very fond of personal adornment and, like other Tripuris, favour ornaments, flowers, and cosmetics.

The other ornaments are Sanghai dunang, Nabak, Angkli, Taar, Tro, Chandraha, Beingi, etc.

The male members sing the lyrics and play the Kham (Traditional Drum) , Sumui.

[20] Most of the disputed and differences are settled by the people of Kotor dofa, that is by the Rai and Kaskau of respective sub tribe.

Whatever verdict or punishment is pronounced in the judgment it is implemented with firm hand and payments of penalty etc.

These are, Buisi, Ker, Gonga Mtai, Goria, Chitragupra, Songrongma,[23] Hojagiri, Katangi Puja, Lampra Uóhthoh.

In such meetings political, social, and religious matters of importance are discussed and decided by the majority.

Offerings are dedicated in the names of the deities before the Wathop or green bamboo pole which represents the divine.

[citation needed] Bukhuksni the seven-guardian deities of witches are propriated with the sacrifice of a pig, four fowls, and other living beings.

[citation needed] The corpse is first bathed with the Chobtui or "alkali water/soap", and Mairungtwi that is "water obtained from the washing of raw rice".

Later, an earthen pot filled with fish and rice placed at the feat of the deceased and it is followed by dance rituals through the night.

On the day of the Kathainaimi, the widow offers dried rice, meat, fish, fruits, and wine in the name of Laotau and Sisi Manji on the smangnouh and then takes the burnt bones or ashes to the charainouh.

[27] Voting rights for Reang refugees are under threat, as the Mizo NGOs have constantly opposed their participation in the election process.

Displaced Brus from Mizoram have claimed that four members of the community, including a four-month-old infant, had died of starvation at the refugee camps in Tripura.

Mizorum Bru Displanced People's Forum (MBDPF) said four had died because the refugees were running out of food.