The Rabha People
The Rabha are a Tibeto-Burmese ethnic group who inhabit primarily in the Northeast Indian state of Assam, with a small presence in the neighbouring state of West Bengal. They are most common in the plains of Lower Assam and the Dooars, although some can also be found in the Garo Hills. The majority of Dooars Rabhas refer to themselves as Rabha, while some also identify as Kochas.
The Rabha community has its own rich, multifaceted, and distinct culture. The Rabha society is matrilineal. The village's economy is built on agriculture, and both men and women work in fields. The women dress in colourful clothing that they weave themselves, adorned with beads and silver embellishments. The Rabhas are not vegetarians, and rice is their basic meal.
Agriculture, forest-based businesses, and weaving form the foundation of the Rabhas' traditional economy. In the past, the Rabhas practiced shifting agriculture. They proceeded to cultivate the soil using Gogo or bill-hook. Later, they took on the task of settled farming and began cultivating with ploughs. In addition to horticulture, the Rabha people had a long history of hunting. Weaving was a customary occupation for the Rabha women.
The Rabhas are primarily located in Lower Assam, along the left bank of the Brahmaputra, in the districts of Goalpara and Kamrup. Some can be found in the right bank districts of Baksa, Udalguri, and Kokrajhar. Rabhas are primarily found in Meghalaya's West Garo Hills, East Garo Hills, and Ribhoi districts. Rabha are primarily found in the West Bengal districts of Alipurduar, Cooch Behar, and Uttar Dinajpur.
More information: Boro-Garo languages
Rabha is closely connected to adjacent Boro and Garo, as well as several other Sino-Tibetan languages of Assam. The language was previously spoken by all 11 Rabha clans: Maithori, Rongdani, Pati, Dahori, Dotla, Halua, Betolia, Hanna, Sunga, Modahi, and Kocha Rabhas. Only the Rongdani, Maithori, and Kocha clans continue to speak Rabha, though its use is dwindling among them as well. Only a small number of Rabhas speak the Rabha language; the majority speak Assamese in Assam and Meghalaya, and Bengali in West Bengal.
