Tribes of Bihar, Traditions, Languages, Festivals, Livelihoods

Bihar is home to a diverse tribal heritage shaped by its geographical proximity to the Chotanagpur Plateau, Rajmahal Hills and the Terai region. Although the formation of Jharkhand in 2000 transferred most tribal-dominated areas to the new state, Bihar continues to have a significant tribal population. The state is home to 32 Scheduled Tribes, each with its own distinct language, culture, traditional institutions and way of life.

Major Tribes of Bihar

According to the Census 2011, Scheduled Tribes account for about 1.3% of Bihar’s population. The largest concentrations of the tribal population are found in West Champaran, Katihar, Purnea, Banka and Jamui district.

The major tribes of Bihar include the Santhal, Oraon, Kharwar, Tharu, Munda, Chero, Kora, Korwa, Lohra and Mal Paharia. Each has a distinct cultural identity reflected in its language, social institutions, festivals and traditional way of life.

Santhal Tribe

The Santhals are the largest Scheduled Tribe of Bihar and belong to the Austroasiatic (Munda) linguistic family. They are mainly concentrated in Katihar, Banka, Purnea, Kishanganj, Bhagalpur, Jamui, Araria and Madhepura districts.

• Speak Santali, written in the Ol Chiki script developed by Pandit Raghunath Murmu.
• Traditionally practise settled agriculture along with collection of forest produce and wage labour.
• Their village administration is headed by the Manjhi (village headman), assisted by officials such as Jog Manjhi and Naeke (village priest).
• Follow the Sarna faith, centred on the worship of nature and sacred groves, while many also practise Hinduism.
• Major festivals include Sohrai (harvest festival), Baha (flower festival) and Karam.
• Renowned for their vibrant folk dances, music and traditional wall paintings.

Oraon (Kurukh) Tribe

The Oraons are the second-largest tribal community in Bihar and belong to the Dravidian linguistic family. They are mainly found in Rohtas, Kaimur, Katihar, Purnea, Supaul, West Champaran and Bhagalpur districts.

• Speak the Kurukh language.
• Traditionally organised under the Parha system, an inter-village council that regulates customary and social affairs.
• Follow the Sarna religion, which emphasises the worship of nature and sacred Sal groves.
• Agriculture and wage labour are the principal occupations.
• Major festivals include Sarhul, celebrating the flowering of the Sal tree, and Karam.

Kharwar Tribe

The Kharwar are one of the major tribal communities of Bihar, primarily concentrated in Rohtas, Kaimur, Purnea and Bhagalpur districts. They have a strong historical association with the Kaimur Plateau and trace their ancestry to the former Kharwar rulers of the region.

• Traditionally they depend on agriculture, animal husbandry and collection of forest produce for their livelihood.
• Follow Sarna traditions alongside Hindu religious practices, with nature worship occupying an important place in their culture.
• Celebrate major festivals such as Sarhul, Karam and Sohrai, reflecting their close relationship with forests and agriculture.
• Known for their rich oral traditions, folk songs and community dances, which preserve their history and cultural identity.

Tharu Tribe

The Tharu inhabit the Terai (Tharuhat) region of West Champaran along the India-Nepal border and are among Bihar’s most distinctive tribal communities.

• Traditionally it depends on agriculture, fishing and livestock rearing.
• Their settlements and lifestyle are closely adapted to the Terai ecosystem.
• Known for colourful traditional attire, decorative wall paintings and rich folk traditions.
• Major festivals include Maghi, Holi, Diwali and Jitiya.

Munda Tribe

The Mundas belong to the Austroasiatic (Munda) linguistic family and are found mainly in Katihar district, with smaller populations elsewhere.

• Traditionally organised under the Khuntkatti system of joint clan-based land ownership.
• Follow the Sarna faith, centred on nature worship.
• Agriculture remains the primary occupation.
• Major festivals include Mage Parab, Sarhul and Karam.

Chero Tribe

The Chero tribe is mainly found in Rohtas, Bhojpur and Gaya districts. Historically, the Cheros established a powerful kingdom centred in Palamu (present-day Jharkhand), whose influence later extended into parts of present-day south-western Bihar.

• Raja Medini Rai was the most prominent ruler of the Chero dynasty.
• Traditionally practise agriculture, animal husbandry and wage labour.
• Follow both tribal customs and Hindu religious traditions.
• Rich oral traditions, folk songs and community festivals remain important aspects of their cultural heritage

Kora Tribe

The Kora tribe is mainly concentrated in Munger, Jamui and Katihar districts.

• Traditionally engaged in agriculture and wage labour.
• Speak the Kora language along with regional languages.
• Celebrate Karam and Sohrai festivals.

Korwa Tribe

The Korwa tribe is found in Rohtas, Bhojpur, Purnea, Munger and Katihar districts.

• Traditionally depended on forests, shifting cultivation and collection of minor forest produce.
• Many families have gradually shifted to settled agriculture and wage labour.

Lohra Tribe

The Lohra tribe is mainly found in Purnea district.

• Traditionally known as skilled blacksmiths and iron craftsmen.
• Manufacture agricultural tools and household implements.
• Agriculture and wage labour increasingly supplement their traditional occupation.
• Preserve distinct tribal customs alongside local cultural influences.

Mal Paharia Tribe

The Mal Paharias are primarily found in Bhagalpur and adjoining areas historically connected with the Rajmahal Hills.

• Traditionally inhabited hilly forest regions and practised shifting cultivation.
• Depend on agriculture, forest produce and wage labour.
• Possess rich traditions of folk songs, dances and oral folklore.

Other Scheduled Tribes in Bihar

Apart from the major tribes, Bihar also has smaller populations of Scheduled Tribes such as Bedia, Baiga, Bathudi, Bhumij, Birhor, Birjia, Binjhia, Chick Baraik, Gond, Gorait, Ho, Kisan, Mahli, Sauria Paharia, Savar, Asur, Kharia, Karmali, Khond, Nagesia, Parhaiya. Many of these communities have very small populations in present-day Bihar, as a large proportion of their population now resides in Jharkhand following the state’s bifurcation in 2000.

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Tribal Culture of Bihar

Despite their diversity, the tribal communities of Bihar share several common cultural features.

• Nature worship and reverence for sacred groves remain central to tribal belief systems.
• Traditional village institutions continue to regulate social and customary affairs.
• Folk dances, music and oral traditions play an important role in preserving cultural identity.
• Agriculture, forest resources and seasonal labour continue to support rural livelihoods.
• Tribal festivals strengthen community cohesion and preserve indigenous knowledge across generations.