karbi

The Karbi are an indigenous ethnic group of Northeast India, primarily inhabiting the Karbi Anglong district of Assam. They are one of the region’s largest hill tribes and are commonly referred to by outsiders as the Mikir in historical sources. The Karbi people live in the hilly areas and have historically practiced farming and forest-based livelihoods, with many households now combining agriculture with other occupations.

The Karbi language, spoken by the Karbi people, is part of the Sino-Tibetan language family. Its precise classification within Tibeto-Burman is debated, and the language exists alongside a growing presence of Assamese and other regional languages in daily life and education. Bilingualism is common, and efforts are underway to document and preserve Karbi as a written language and in schools where possible.

Culturally, the Karbi are organized around clans and kinship ties that influence social and ceremonial life. Traditional practices and crafts form part of the community’s identity, with music and dance playing important roles in ceremonies and celebrations. Like many Northeast communities, religious life among the Karbi has been shaped by a mix of indigenous beliefs with later influences from Hinduism and Christianity, leading to a plural religious landscape in many Karbi communities.

Politically, the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council administers Karbi Anglong district under the framework of autonomous governance within Assam. The Karbi have participated in broader state and national politics, and their autonomy movements and cultural preservation efforts have been part of the region’s contemporary history.