Halam tribe

In terms of ethnology and language, the Halam community group belongs to Old 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 Khelma/Sakachep,Aimol, Ranglong, Hrangkhol inhabit in the Karimganj district of Assam, North Tripura and Dalai district of Tripura and Mizoram, Anal, Chawthe, Chiru, Koren, Kom, Lamgang, Purum, Tikhup and Vaiphei of Manipur also asserted that they are the descendant of a couple who came out of ‘Khurpui’ meaning ‘cave’ (B. Lalthangliana, 2001, 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). They are not concentrated in a particular area. They are scattered in three North-eastern states, in western Mizoram, parts of North Cachar Hills, Barak Valley of Assam, and in all eight revenue district of Tripura.

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. Due to long lapse of time and years, sometimes it may create confusion in one's mind that different sub-tribes of Halam community are of different identity. But they are of the same tribe having common origin.

A halam (Ranglong)girl .

The language spoken by all the families of Halam community is known as Riam Chong (language). The Riam Chong is cognate with the Kuki-Chin group of the greater Tibeto-Burman family. Owing to topographical differences in their habitation, there are minor dialect differences among the Riam speaking people known as Halam group language for officially known under Tripura State government as one of the minority languages (Kept under Kokborok & OML) Dept. of Education. Besides, due to assimilation by other bigger communities, their language and culture have been gravely affected. In fact, the Molsom and Kaipeng sub-tribes have to a great extent incorporated Kokborok vocabulary in their daily verbal communication among themselves. In Tripura, there has been conscious effort by the Government to promote and develop Halam language. Accordingly, the Government has constituted the ‘Halam Language Advisory Committee’ to take necessary steps for the uplift of Halam language. As far as literature is concerned, the Halam have no script of their own. They borrowed from Roman script for any sort of documentations and writings.

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 and Habiganj,where they continue this livelihood. They make up a mere 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, Charai, Bongcher, Hrangkhol, Molsom, Rupini, Mitahar, Langkai, Ranglong and Kaipeng.[5]