Tibeto-Burman Indigenous Groups of Northeast India
The Tibeto-Burman peoples form the largest and most diverse indigenous ethnolinguistic population in Northeast India. As a major branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family, they are spread across the hills and valleys of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Sikkim. These communities are traditionally grouped into major linguistic-cultural branches such as the Bodo-Garo, Kuki-Chin-Mizo, Naga, Tani, Mishmi, Himalayish (Monpa-Tshangla), Northern Naga, Eastern Himalayan , and various unclassified Arunachali groups. Each branch includes numerous tribes with unique languages, customs, myths, and social systems rooted deeply in their landscapes. Despite modern changes, these communities continue to preserve their distinct identities, forming the core of Northeast Indiaβs indigenous heritage.
A to Z List of Tibeto-Burman Indigenous Communities of Northeast India
Below is an alphabetical list of Tibeto-Burman indigenous ethnic groups across Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim. It includes both major and minor communities, covering different linguistic sub-branches like Bodo-Garo, Kuki-Chin-Mizo, Naga, Tani, Mishmi, and others.
We have tried to include as many groups as possible, whether they are linguistically active, historically linked, or culturally rooted in the Tibeto-Burman family.
πΉ If you notice any missing communities or find anything incorrect or inappropriate, feel free to contact us β we will be happy to update and correct it as we continue working to document the true cultural richness of Northeast India.
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β’ Adi β Arunachal Pradesh
β’ Aimol β Manipur
β’ Aka (Hrusso) β Arunachal Pradesh
β’ Anal β Manipur
β’ Angami β Nagaland
β’ Apatani β Arunachal Pradesh
β’ Ao β Nagaland
β’ Atong β Meghalaya (South Garo Hills)
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±
β’ Bokar β Arunachal Pradesh
β’ Bodo β Assam
β’ Bugun (Khowa) β Arunachal Pradesh
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²
β’ Chakhesang β Nagaland
β’ Chang β Nagaland
β’ Chiru β Manipur
β’ Chothe β Manipur
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³
β’ Deori β Assam
β’ Digaru Mishmi β Arunachal Pradesh
β’ Dimasa β Assam, Nagaland Dimasa People
β’ Dri (Idu subgroup) β Arunachal Pradesh
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π ΄
(No known group starting with E)
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π ΅
(No known group starting with F)
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Ά
β’ Gangte β Manipur
β’ Galo β Arunachal Pradesh
β’ Garo β Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura
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·
β’ Hajong (TB origin, now IA) β Assam, Meghalaya
β’ Hmar β Manipur, Mizoram, Assam
β’ Hrusso (Aka) β Arunachal Pradesh
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Έ
β’ Inpui β Manipur
β’ Idu Mishmi β Arunachal Pradesh
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Ή
β’ Jamatia β Tripura (Tripuri subgroup)
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Ί
β’ Kabui (Rongmei) β Manipur
β’ Kalaktang Monpa β Arunachal Pradesh
β’ Kamtang Monpa β Arunachal Pradesh
β’ Kharam β Manipur
β’ Khiamniungan β Nagaland
β’ Koirao (Thangal) β Manipur
β’ Koireng β Manipur
β’ Kom β Manipur
β’ Konyak β Nagaland
β’ Koch (TB-speaking subgroup) β Meghalaya (small villages)
β’ Kuki β Manipur, Mizoram, Assam, Tripura
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β’ Lai (Pawi) β Mizoram
β’ Lamkang β Manipur
β’ Lepcha β Sikkim, Kalimpong, North Bengal
β’ Liangmai β Nagaland, Manipur
β’ Limbu (Yakthung) β Sikkim, North Bengal
β’ Lish Monpa β Arunachal Pradesh
β’ Lotha β Nagaland
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Ό
β’ Mara (Lakher) β Mizoram
β’ Maram β Manipur
β’ Matak (TB origin, no active language) β Assam
β’ Mao β Manipur
β’ Mate β Manipur
β’ Mech β Assam, North Bengal
β’ Meitei (Manipuri) β Manipur
β’ Miji β Arunachal Pradesh
β’ Minyong (Adi subgroup) β Arunachal Pradesh
β’ Mishmi β Arunachal Pradesh
β’ Monsang β Manipur
β’ Monpa β Arunachal Pradesh
β’ Moran (TB origin, now IA-speaking) β Assam
β’ Moyon β Manipur
β’ Mru (Mrung) β Tripura, Bangladesh border
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β’ Noatia β Tripura (Tripuri subgroup)
β’ Nocte β Arunachal Pradesh
β’ Nyishi β Arunachal Pradesh
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π Ύ
(No known group starting with O)
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Ώ
β’ Paite β Manipur, Mizoram
β’ Pasi (Adi subgroup) β Arunachal Pradesh
β’ Phom β Nagaland
β’ Pochury β Nagaland
β’ Poumai β Manipur
β’ Purum β Manipur
β’ Puroik (Sulung) β Arunachal Pradesh
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π
(No known group starting with Q)
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β’ Rabha β Assam, Meghalaya
β’ Ralte β Mizoram
β’ Rangdani (Rabha subgroup) β Assam
β’ Rengma β Nagaland, Assam
β’ Rongmei (Kabui) β Manipur, Nagaland
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β’ Sangtam β Nagaland
β’ Sherdukpen β Arunachal Pradesh
β’ Sema (SΓΌmi) β Nagaland
β’ Simte β Manipur
β’ Sarania Kachari (TB origin, now IA) β Assam
β’ Sonowal Kachari β Assam
β’ Sunwar (small presence) β Sikkim
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β’ Tagin β Arunachal Pradesh
β’ Tamang β Sikkim, North Bengal
β’ Tangkhul β Manipur
β’ Tarao β Manipur
β’ Thadou β Manipur, Mizoram
β’ Thangal β Manipur
β’ Tiwa (Lalung) β Assam, Meghalaya
β’ Tripuri (Kokborok-speaking) β Tripura
β’ Tikhak (Tangsa subgroup) β Arunachal Pradesh
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β’ Uchoi β Tripura (Tripuri subgroup)
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β’ Vaiphei β Manipur
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β’ Wancho β Arunachal Pradesh
β’ Walung β Sikkim
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π
(No known group starting with X)
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β’ Yimkhiung β Nagaland
β’ Yolmo β Sikkim
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β’ Zeme β Nagaland, Manipur
β’ Zou β Manipur
β’ Zeliang (Zeme, Liangmai, Rongmei) β Nagaland, Manipur
β’ Zangkhua (Kuki-Chin) β Manipur, Mizoram (small)