Tiperas are among the aboriginal tribe groups of the north-eastern India. They are the largest tribe in
Tripura. A majority of this nomadic tribe are also settled in the states of
West Bengal and
Assam. Tiperas speak '
Kok Borok', a Baric language belonging to the Tibeto-Burman language family.
Agriculture is the main occupation of this community. Major crops cultivated include jute, rice, wheat and sugarcane. Some also work in the state’s industries, which include weaving cloth, milling rice and flour, canning fruit and producing bamboo and leather items.
Tiperas live in tiny, one-roomed houses near the river valleys. The houses are made of temporary materials - usually mud or bamboo. The community members reside in small village settlements, which are divided into clans and castes, and are run by a headman.
They allow marriages within the same clan. Polygamy is tolerated, but not common. The womenfolk are especially fond of wearing jewelry, which can be bought from Bengali craftsmen.
They practice some type of ethnic religion. The gods of fire, water and forest are worshipped commonly.
