Who Are the Karbi?
The Karbi (formerly known as Mikir) are a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group of Assam state in northeast India, numbering approximately 500,000-600,000. They speak Karbi, a Tibeto-Burman language with literary development. The Karbi primarily inhabit Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts, which together form an Autonomous Council area. They practice shifting cultivation (jhum) and wet rice agriculture. The Karbi maintain a distinct tribal identity with their own traditional governance systems (mei), religious practices (worshipping Hemphu and Mukrang), and cultural festivals. Most Karbi follow traditional religion or Hinduism, with a Christian minority.
Traditional Governance
Karbi society traditionally organized through the mei, a council-based governance system. Each village had a gaonbura (headman) and a council of elders managing community affairs. Above the village level, larger territorial units coordinated through assemblies. This system regulated land use, settled disputes, and organized collective activities. Colonial and post-independence administration altered but did not eliminate traditional governance. The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, established in 1951, provides a modern framework for regional self-governance. Movements for separate statehood reflect desire for greater autonomy, with some advocating for an "Autonomous State" within India.
Cultural Traditions
Karbi culture features distinctive traditions in music, dance, and ritual. The Chomangkan, a festival honoring the deceased, involves elaborate rituals reuniting spirits with ancestors. The Rongker festival worships village deities for protection and prosperity. Karbi woven textiles, particularly the poho (jacket) and pini (wraparound skirt), display intricate patterns. Oral literature includes creation myths, folk tales, and songs preserving historical memory. The Karbi have their own traditional musical instruments. These traditions continue alongside modern life, with festivals becoming occasions for cultural celebration. Karbi intellectuals have worked to document and preserve cultural heritage.
Contemporary Karbi
Modern Karbi navigate between traditional identity and changing circumstances. The Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council provides political representation but has faced challenges of corruption and insurgency. Economic development has lagged compared to plains areas. Education has expanded, producing a professional class. Agriculture remains important, with shifts from jhum cultivation to settled farming. Some Karbi have migrated to Guwahati and other cities for employment. Movements for separate statehood continue to mobilize periodic demands. How the Karbi leverage their autonomous council, preserve cultural traditions, and pursue development shapes this hill community's future in India's northeast.
References
- Stack, E. (1908). The Mikirs
- Lyall, C. J. (1920). The Mikirs of Assam
- Terang, P. (1992). The Karbis and Their World View