Tanwarpal Singh at 22:20, 17 March 2026

2026-03-17T22:20:13Z

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{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| group = Halam {{smaller|(Rwm)Riam, Old Kuki)}}
| population = 58,000 (approx.)
| genealogy =
| regions = [[India]] [[Tripura]] [[Bangladesh]]
| languages = [[Mizo-Kuki-Chin]]{{•}} [[Molsom language|Kaipeng]]{{·}} [[Molsom language|Molsom]],[[Chorei Language]] [[Chorei language]]{{•}} [[Ranglong language|Ranglong]]{{·}} [[Hrangkhol language|Hrangkhol]]{{·}}[[Sakachep language|Sakachep]]{{·}}[[Bawng language|Bawng]]{{·}} [[Saimar language]]{{·}} [[Dab language|Dab]]
| religions = [[Christianity]]{{·}}[[Hinduism]]{{·}}[[Animism]]
| related = [[Chin people|Chin]]{{·}} [[Kuki people|Kuki]]{{·}} [[Mizo people|Mizo]]
}}

The '''Halam''' community are various tribes native to the state of [[Tripura]] in [[India]]. The name ''Halam'' was coined by the ''[[Tripura|Tipra]] [[Maharaja]]''.<ref name="Varman, S.B.K. 1986. p. 25">Varman, S.B.K.: The Tribes of Tripura – A dissertation. Gov't Press. Agartala. Directorate of Research. 1986. 2nd Edition. p. 25.</ref> As per their oral tradition they called themselves "[[Riam language|Riam]]", which literally means "human being". And lyrically they also call themselves "Riamrai, Chepvon, Reivon, Longvon etc.". The Halam are further divided into 12 [[Tribes|sub-tribe]]s, namely Sakachep, [[Chorei]], Molsom, [[Hrangkhol people|Hrangkhol]], Kaipeng, Kalai, [[Ranglong]], Thangachep, Bongcher, [[Korbwng]], Dab and Rupini.

==History==
In terms of ethnology and language, the [[Halam community]] group belongs to Old [[Kuki people|Kuki]] groups. But it is difficult to trace their original settlement. Different scholars propounded different theories in analyzing the migratory route of Halam. However, no anthropological research documents are available about them. According to their own belief and tradition the Halam originated from a place called 'Khurpuitabum' meaning 'a big cave,’ which is supposed to be somewhere in south central China. This theory of origin is very common among the [[Chin-Mizo-Kuki]] groups with slight variations in name. Apart from Halam group, the Old [[Kuki tribes]] like [[Chorei]], [[Khelma/Sakachep]], [[Aimol]], [[Ranglong]], [[Hrangkhol people|Hrangkhol]] inhabit in the [[Karimganj district]] of [[Assam]], [[North Tripura]] and [[Dalai district]] of [[Tripura]] and [[Mizoram]], [[Anāl people|Anal]], [[Chawthe]], [[Chiru]], [[Koireng people|Koren]], [[Kom people (India)|Kom]], [[Lamgang]], [[Purum]], [[Tikhup]] and [[Vaiphei people|Vaiphei]] of [[Manipur]] also asserted that they are the descendant of a couple who came out of 'Khurpui' meaning 'cave' (B. Lalthangliana, 2001, [[Mizo people|Mizo]] Chanchin, Remkungi, [[Aizawl]], p. 37)

According to S.B.K. Dev Varman, the [[Halam community]] coined by Tipra Maharaja (S.B.K. Dev Varman, The Tribes of Tripura, p. 35). The Halams group are said to be migrated from 'Khurpuitabum,’ a place in the hills just to the north of [[Manipur]] (Ibid. p. 35). Those of the [[Kukis]], who had submitted to the Tripura Raja, came to be known as Halam (http://www.tripuratribes.ac.in{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}).

Regarding the origin of the term 'Halam,’ some suggest that 'Halam' means 'killer of human beings' (K.S. Singh, People of India, Vol. V, p. 1243). Perhaps, the neighboring people might name them 'Halam' as they were ferocious and used to killed strangers in olden days. The term 'Halam' is expected to be coined by others. One interpretation is that, in Tripuri language, 'Ha' means 'earth' and 'Lam' means 'route'. So it means 'earth route.' It is said that when they came in contact with the king of Tripura, the Maharaja had given them the title 'Halam.' From this definition, it can be presumed that Halam migrated to their present place of settlement through earth route. However, there is no agreed point on the origin of the term 'Halam.' In the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes orders (Amendment) Act. 1976, Halam is placed at No. 6 in the list of Scheduled Tribes of Tripura.

==Changes in religious practices==
Conversion to [[Christianity]] started around the mid-1900s. About 30% of the Halam are Christian.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tracing the threads of time: A Historical Perspective on the Halam Community in Tripura. |url=https://ijsdr.org/papers/IJSDR2502125.pdf |website=ijsdr.org |access-date=17 March 2026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260317221901/https://ijsdr.org/papers/IJSDR2502125.pdf |archive-date=17 March 2026}}</ref> The spread of Christianity among the Halam does not interfere with cultural activities (except religious activities). The Christian Halam attended the socio-cultural ceremonies of their Hindu neighbors. They participate in and depend on the traditional village administration as do their Hindu neighbors. There is a reason why the Tripura Raja differentiate Halam from Kuki, Halam people do not have king or chief nor their own ''god'' to worship. So, the Raja appointed ''Sordar'' to rule Halam people, and an ''idol'' for each clan to worship. E.g. Mualţhuam/Molsom sub-tribe are given an idol made from Gooseberry tree, they called ''Zobawmthang''.<ref>Lalthangliana, B.: History and Culture of Mizo in India, Burma & Bangladesh. 2001. Aizawl. RTM Press. p. 85.</ref> Bawngcher sub-clan are given ''Thirlum Thirphrai''. ''Thirlum'' is an iron ball smaller than the size of cricket ball, ''Thirphrai'' is an iron plate, a size of thumb. Both have no inscriptions on them.<ref>Sailiana Sailo: The Bongchers. p. 27.</ref>

==Diaspora==
During the [[British Raj]], the Halam of [[Tripura]] were transported to the [[Sylhet region]] to work in tea plantations. They can still be found in [[Sylhet District|Sylhet]] and [[Habiganj District|Habiganj]] districts of Bangladesh, where they continue this livelihood. They make up a population of only 5000. Use of the [[Kokborok language]] is rapidly decreasing with the [[Bengali language]] being more common nowadays. They are divided into 12 clans; Machafang, Migli, Chorei, Bongcher, [[Hrangkhol people|Hrangkhol]], Kalai, Molsom, Rupini, Mitahar, Langkai, [[Ranglong]] and Kaipeng.<ref name=bpedia>{{cite book|title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh|first=Subhash|last=Jengcham|chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Halam|chapter=Halam|publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]]}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite book |title=Echoes from Lungleng Tang: Bongcher Literature of Oral Tradition |translator=Saroj Chaudhuri |editor1=Kamal Bongcher |editor2=Zohming Thanga Bongcher |publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]] |date=2011 |isbn=9788126032105}}
* {{cite book |last=Halam |first=Abhi Oy |title=History and Culture of the Halam Tribe |publisher=[[Tribal Research and Cultural Institute]], Government of Tripura |date=2020 |isbn=978-93-86707-21-5}}

{{Kuki-Chin-Mizo tribes}}
{{Hill tribes of Northeast India}}
{{Ethnic groups in Bangladesh}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Halam People}}
[[Category:Kuki tribes]]
[[Category:Scheduled Tribes of India]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Bangladesh]]

Halam tribe - Revision history

Tanwarpal Singh at 22:20, 17 March 2026