The language of Tripura shows a fine blend of different related languages. The dialect of Tripuri's is known as "Kak-Barak" where "Kak means "words" and "Barrak" means "men." The dialect originally belongs to the Tibet-Burmese group of languages and its root can be traced to the Sino-Tibetan speech family. It is however, one of the Bodo-group of dialects, which had originated in the Brahamaputra valley of Assam, forming a solid and concrete form in the North –East of India. Its resemblance to other groups of dialects such as ‘Kachari’ and 'Garo' can be traced. The ‘Kak- Bark’ dialect has no script of its own and takes resort to Bengali script. A variant of this dialect is also used as a colloquy (conversation) among the Reangs, Jamatias, Rupins and Rankhals. However, due to very limited stock of terms or vocabulary the use of this dialect is restricted in the form of non-–literary colloquy. But, this languages has a potent trump card of the eon folk lore and songs, fairy tales and proverbs and maxims that had been passed down from generations. Because of this fact, this dialect has been elevated to the status of a language.

An example of a translation of Kak-Bark saying is cited below.

Translation

I took an eyeful of the rivers

I took a bath in it too.

The emphasis here is on the alertness of mind or the resourcefulness needed to make the most of an occasion or opportunity.

About 80%of the people in Tripura use Bengali language in their day to day life. Bengali has been the dominant language of the state. The erstwhile rulers had accepted Bengali as the state language or the language of administration.

‘Tripuri’, the language of the community is also written in Bengali script. Almost all Tripuri can speak and understand Bengali. The enlightened or erudite section of Tripura (Tripuri's) also have a commendable mastery over Bengali and their intellectual and cultural attainments are at par with any other advanced or privileged communities.

"Halam" is the mother tongue of the tribe and "Rankhal" is the dialect, which is again considered to be an offshoot of the "Halam" dialect. The language is not much different from that of the Tripuri's. The influence of Bengali over the ‘Chakma’ language is quite predominant although the dialect differs to a larger extent from each other.

The ‘Mogh’ though a minor community, speak the language of Burma. There are some other tribes too like "Munda" "Bhil" etc. who constitute a negligible number, and do not have any dialect of their own but speak in the neighbor's dialect. Thus a unique blending of languages is apparent in different communities of Tripura.

Tripura represents a fusion of styles and cultures of the hills and plains. It has a combined population of both tribal as well as non-tribal people. The largest community here are the Bengali's, inspite of the fact that 19 scheduled tribes form the motif of the population. The people follow Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism and Christianity.

The main tribes in Tripura are Puran, Tripuri, Chakma, Jamatia, Reang, Halam and Noatia. Besides, there are Mogh, Kooki, Santals, Garo, Munda, Lushai , Oraon etc. Before independence, these tribal populations formed the majority, but gradually their number is on the decline. The reason perhaps being that the socio-economic conditions and geographical contiguity attracted people in the territory from east Bengal, which almost encompasses it. Moreover the influx of a vast number of refugees from what is now Bangladesh, has been a continuos phenomena even to this day, in this eastern part of the country. Hence the tribal population in the urban area or its vicinity is mostly bilingual.

These are two major social elements in Tripura which potrays diverse ethnic elements among the people. They are namely the Indo Aryans represented by the Bengali's and the "Indo-Mongoloids " represented by a few communities like the "Tripuri's, the ‘Reang's’, the ‘Jamatias’, the 'Noatia's', the ‘Kuki's’, the ‘Halma's’ the ‘Chakma's’, ‘Mogh's’ and the ‘Lushai’. These are 9 major tribes and along with 10 more of them, they form a distinct class of 19 scheduled tribes.

The ‘Tripuri's’ (also called Tripuras or Tipras) who are believed to be the aborigines of the state constitute 17% of the total population, and 55% of the tribal population of the state. The former rulers of this land are also held to have emerged, from this community believed to be the descendants of "Kshatriyas". However, in due course, contact with Bengali settlers brought about a radical change in their modes and traditions. " Tripuri" the language of the community has no alphabet of its own and therefore is written in Bengali alphabet. Most of them are fluent in Bengali language and by religion are Hindus. This religious rites and rituals also tallies to that of other Hindus.

The ‘Reangs’ are the next most important tribal group, which constitute 14% of the tribal and 4% of the total population of the state. According to history in the middle of the 15^th century, during the reign of Ratna Manikya I, the Reangs migrated to the east of Gomati river in Tripura from neighboring Chittagong Hill Tracts on being attacked by the Mugs. They then settled down in Amarpur and Beloni sub-divisions, and now also in Dharamnagar.

Reangs are broadly categorized into two groups "Meksha or Mechka" and "Marchai or Malchai" .The former is further sub-divided into principal sub-groups like the Masha, Raichak etc and the later into Apet and Champung. The Reangs are considered as the most disciplined community among the tribals of Tripura, who are Hindus and generally believers in Sakta cult. However, recently some of them are embracing Vaishnavism. Like other tribals, they also believe in ‘animism’ i.e. all animals, plants, rivers etc are endowed with a living spirit. The Reang community is governed by a strictly demarcated hierarchical institution, the chief where is called " Rai" and the Reangs look up at him as their monarch who is their supreme in all matters and whose orders has to be obeyed by all means.

‘Jamatia’ are a section of the Tripuri community whose origin seems to be from" Jamayet" meaning "a gathering or mobilization". They were also called the fighting force or "Kshatriyas" during the time of Tripura rules. They are found scattered in all parts of the state barring the northeastern part. Their system of worship is also the same as the other Hindus who believe in animistic rites.

The Chakmas constitute the fourth largest tribal group in Tripura, who migrated from the Chittagong Hill tracts and settled in the territory of hill Tripura. They are found to carry out 'Jhooming' (a kind of shifting cultivation) method of cultivation. They are now generally settled in Kailasahar, Udaipur, Amarpur, Sabroom and Belonia. Most of them are followers of Buddhism.

The chief in Chakmas is called "Dewan" who exercises great authority. They are however lagging behind in education. One particular fact, that needs to be mentioned, is that the Chakmas celebrate the funeral ceremony with great pomp and dignity. The corpse is kept in a wooden box for five to seven days after which men and women gather to burn it and make gifts according to their means. In their system of religion one can find ambiguous blending of Buddhism, Vaishnavism and even Islam.

The Halam's are a section of Kuki's who had submitted to the Tripura king. At present as many as 16 classes are found to make up whole Halam community. They are behind to have migrated to "Tripura" from a village named "Khorpintabhim" in the northwest of Manipur. At present they follow the Tripuri's in social customs and speak their language. Generally, the Halams are followers of Sakta cult, but the majority of ‘Kalai’ and ‘Rupini’ sections are Vaishnavites. They believe in a single God who has different manifestations. They also believe existence of spirits with supernatural powers.

The 'Moghs' community in Tripura, were originally inhabitants of Arakan and possibly migrated to the state because of war or other political reason. They are not divided into any inter-group distinction. As a community The Moghs are disciplined self – reliant and hard working people who love to live in harmony and tranquility. Maintenance of internal discipline and looking after community activities so as to avoid any chaos is rested upon the headman. The Moghs are staunch ‘Buddhists’ by religions, who however do not have liking for any other form of religion.

Therefore, about five lakh tribal people live in Tripura who have immensely contributed to give rise to a distinct culture of their own. With the recent global development and confluence with the outside world, opportunities have cropped up before them; to make all round progress out the impact generated however is not that strong. They still believe and follow their eon old culture and tradition.

In the tribal way of life, one may find more emphasis on experience and less on reasoning. But this does not lead to the fact that their religious faith is an outcome of fear or superstition. In a nutshell, our own imagination, feeling and experience often color our concepts. The tribal population of Tripura like any other Hindu peasants elsewhere celebrate "Pujas" or worship in a way that has very close relation to the Cultivation of land. They also propitiate God by sacrificing something that is very dear to them, so that the Almighty may bestow good health and fortune upon them.

The tribal religion seems to be influenced by Hinduism. The Indo-Mongoloid people express some of the highest qualities under Hindu inspiration .The "Cantais"(the Tripura high priests) and the "Deodias" are regarded as the Custodians of the Tripura religion and still occupy as exalted a position in society like the Brahmins in the Hindu Society. An over whelming majority among the important tribes in Tripura like the Tripuris, Reangs, Jamatias, Noatias and Halams are staunch practitioners of Hinduism.

Certain rituals, connected even with those "Pujas" or worship, which are exclusively confined to them, bear close resemblance with that of Hindus. They are animistic and believe that God is Omnipresent in all elements of nature.

There are numerous gods (about 14) worshipped by the Tripuri's and other major tribe of the state.

To mention some of them are. ---

‘Matai' means 'God' and 'Katar' means 'Supreme'. This supreme deity of the Tripura is identified with Shiva Mahadeva.

The Tripuri word "Lam" means sky or earth and "Pra" means the sea or water. I.e. they consider it as twin deity.

San-grama meaning the Himalaya Mountains, which is looked upon as most potent or living deities personifying the mountains.

'Tuima' means 'Water-Mother or water- Goddess'. The priest of Tuima declares the cause of illness after consulting the deity while performing worship in her honor. The Reangs worships the streamlet that flows and is a religious festival to them.

Which means 'Goddess of Corn' is identified with 'Sri or Lakshmi'.

Khuluma or the 'Goddess of cotton plant' is also worshipped, because it forms an important Cash Crop.

Is worshipped to cure illness.

These are the two brothers of Burha-Cha who are equally worshipped by them.

There are again seven Goddess of witchcraft. The Muslims of Tripura regard them as seven "Pari sisters" and the Hindus as "Dakinis" or "Yoginis"

The two brothers "Goraiya and Kataiya" synonym to the "Fair One" and the "Dark one" are worshipped on the last day of the Hindu year, when the Tripuri's drink rice beer in their honor and rejoice for 2 to 3 days.

Festivals form an inseparable part of the people of Tripura. Both, the tribal as well as non-tribal people equally participate in every festival and enjoy it to the zenith by becoming a part and parcel of it. This is perhaps, the reason we witness a composite culture in this state, Many festivals are celebrated here but elucidation of few is being mentioned below:

This is a vital religious festival of the Halam community celebrated once in a period of four or five years with immense pomp and gaiety. This festival being very expensive is observed in a collective way by raising funds. Animal sacrifice is carried out, and ample of liquor, traditionally prepared from home brewed rice is served.

KACHARI PUJA AND KER PUJA

Their two festivals occupy the place of importance and are celebrated by the tribal as well as non-tribal population of Tripura. The "Kachari-puja" is celebrated for a consecutive week in the month of "Ashada", viz. June-July at Puram Agartala, the penultimate capital of Tripura rulers about 5 miles away from the present capital 'Agartala'. The word "Kharchi" is said to be a corrupt form of "Khya" which means earth ‘Kharchi Puja’ is therefore the worship of the earth that sustains the entire mankind with all her trump-cards. This festival is celebrated in honor of all the fourteen Gods, worshipped in a series of 14 metal heads, which is considered as the national pantheon of the Tripuri's. People are seen rejoicing themselves with much enthusiasms and gaiety.

Fourteen days after the "Kachari-puja" comes the celebration of "Ker puja". The guardian deity of "Vastu Devta" is "Ker". A large piece of bamboo when bent in a particular fashion assumes the image of "Ker". It constitutes an important festival for the Halam tribe and is celebrated in the month of June-July, which was earlier initiated by the former Tripura rulers. The festival is observed to wean out or eliminate all sorts of dangers and in-luck Likewise in the former days, the ceremony is observed even today clandestinely. During the "Ker puja" all entrances to the capital are closed down for two and a half days. The literal meaning of "Ker" is boundary or specified area," therefore one is allowed to cross into the ‘Ker’ boundary. During the puja everybody including the highest reigning authority is subjected to numerous restrictions, like not being allowed to put on shoes, fire a gun, or use umbrella etc and any violation to the rules by a person is severely fined. This may have perhaps emerged to safeguard the interests of the people from any calamitous misfortunes, disease and destitution or to save them from any external aggression. However, with the passage of time, it has become difficult to impose such strict restrictions. However, the festival is observed with solemnity and like "Kharchi puja" offerings and sacrifices constitute an important aspect of "Ker Puja".

Another important festival of the tribals of the state is held in the month of "April viz. "Baisakh" called "Garia-puja". Two deities "Kalia" and "Garia" is worshipped .The apex of a bamboo are bent in a particular fashion to assume the image of the deity. The image is then framed into a bamboo barrel and enthroned on a platform. Belief is held that the propitiation of the deity would make the people happy and prosperous. The Garia is a communal festival; sacrifice of cocks is done to mark the occasion. Dancing and rejoicing after performing puja is very essential.

The "Garia" dance is therefore very popular among the Tripuri's and the Reangs. Both men and women dressed in their best outfits ring and dance to the mellifluous tune of their exotic tribal music, which renders the whole atmosphere sublime and delightful

Another remarkable tribal festival celebrated in March-April every year is the "Ganga Puja". Ganga is one of the fourteen deities of Tripura, who is worshipped with great honor together by a Jamboree of four to five tribal villages. This Occasion is observed by the streamside, where three pieces of bamboo's are used to make a beautiful flowers, the villagers then built a temple with bamboo in the centre of the stream and the religious rites and rituals takes place amidst the splendid, joyous and gala atmosphere. The almighty is propitiated by sacrifice of goats, buffaloes and ganders so as to safeguard the people from any epidemic or natural calamity.

"Durga Puja" and "Diwali" is both well-known community festival of Tripura. However Durga Puja is observed as the colossal festival in Bengal and Tripura, where the entire state turns into festival moods. The four-day long 'Durga Puja' is held in September-October. Both Hindus as well as tribals actively participate in the celebration. The Immersion of the deity takes place on the "Vijaya-Dashami" or the fourth day of the Puja. This is the occasion, when all the people irrespective of the caste creed join together and embrace one another exchanging the festival greeting.

The puja puts forth a unique opportunity to see the organizational ability of young men. In the time of royal king i.e. 'Kshatriya King', the puja was organized on a greater scale. As for the people of Tripura, festivals are occasions when people forget their differences and worries and become a part of the prodigious atmosphere, which is believed to ring in everything that is good and ring out all the that is bad and evil.

Fairs ‘or Melas’ of Tripura are mainly of religious type and celebrated along with the onset of the festivals.

This Mela once the biggest fair celebrated in Agartala in the month of 'Baisakh'. However it has been discontinued since a long time. Reference of this Mela is cited everywhere, which was known to encourage indigenous products and the local products. Tribals in exodus visited the fair and also made their annual purchases.

POUS-SANKRANTI OR MAKAR SANKRANTI –

This fair at Trithamukh in Amarpur sub-division is the ideal place for the staunch devotes from all parts of the state. The fair or Mela is held at the source of Gomati River, called "Tirthamukh". The devotees take a holy dip in the river on this auspicious day, which is also known to mark the commencement of the Sun’s northern course – the last day of the month of ‘Pousa’ Viz. mid of Jan.

 "Pous-Sankranti Mela ‘ is also celebrated in different parts of the state by different names such as ‘Burbaria fair’ in Amarpur sub-division, "Mahamnipara fair" in Beeline, "Muhuripur fair," "Radhamadhabara " fair at Kanchanpur in Dharmnagar sub-division etc.

"Ashokastmi fair" which commences on March-April every year is held at Unakotitirtha in Kailashahar sub-division. Unnakoti hill has numerous rock-cut images of Gods and Goddesses on its walls, which are honored and prayed by the thousands of pilgrims from every nook and corner of the state.