Bru

Bru is a name used for an indigenous ethnolinguistic group in parts of Northeast India and Bangladesh, as well as for the language they speak. In India, Bru communities are most closely associated with the northeastern states of Mizoram and Tripura, with smaller populations in adjacent areas. In Bangladesh, Bru-speaking communities have historical settlements in the hill regions along the country’s eastern border.

The Bru language is a Tibeto-Burman language within the Sino-Tibetan family. It is spoken by Bru communities in India and Bangladesh and comprises several dialects. Many Bru speakers are bilingual, using regional languages such as Mizo, Bengali, or Kokborok in daily life.

Historically, the Bru have maintained agrarian and craft-based livelihoods. Social organization is often clan-based, with customary practices guiding land use, marriage, and community ceremonies. Traditionally, many Bru followed agro-silvicultural practices and weaving as part of the economy.

In the late 20th century, ethnic tensions in Mizoram led to significant displacement of Bru people, with many seeking refuge in Tripura and other areas. The displacement and subsequent repatriation efforts have left a legacy of refugee settlements and ongoing debates about long-term resettlement, rights, and identity.

Today, Bru communities are recognized as an indigenous group in the regions where they live, with cultural and linguistic continuity despite dispersion. They are one of several Northeast Indian groups whose communities span national borders, reflecting historical migrations in the region.