Dimasa

Dimasa, also known as Dimasa people or Dimasas, are an indigenous ethnic group of Northeast India. They are concentrated in Assam, especially in the Dima Hasao district (formerly North Cachar Hills), with smaller communities in neighboring states such as Nagaland and Manipur. The Dimasa are part of the Bodo-Kachari subgroup of the wider Tibeto-Burman language family. Their language, Dimasa, is spoken by most community members and is often used alongside Assamese and other regional languages.

Historically, the Dimasa formed a medieval kingdom in the region, and their polity played a notable role in the area’s history before incorporation into larger empires and colonial rule. Traditional social organization is clan-based, with patrilineal kinship and agricultural livelihoods. The community practices a mix of Hinduism and indigenous beliefs, with customary rituals and dances tied to festivals and harvest cycles. In contemporary times, many Dimasa are bilingual and participate in public life across Assam and neighboring areas.

The Dimasa are listed as a Scheduled Tribe in Assam, and their culture is sustained through festivals, music, and crafts. There are ongoing efforts to preserve their language and distinctive traditions, alongside broader education and cultural initiatives. Issues of cultural preservation, language revival, and regional autonomy within the Indian constitutional framework feature in contemporary Dimasa discourse, reflecting broader concerns about minority rights in Northeast India.