| Halam | Halam or Malsum tribes are found in Tripura. They originally hailed from one of the branches of Kukis. | |||
| Hanjis | These tribes are found along the Jhelum River in the Kashmir valley. | |||
| Harauti | The Harautis are located mainly in the Kota area of Rajasthan and also in parts of Madhya Pradesh. | |||
| Hilpulayan | These tribes are found in Kerala. | |||
| Hmar | These tribes are found in Mizoram. | |||
| Ho | The word “ho” means man. These tribes, which are also known as Lanka Kol and Bihar Ho, are found mainly in the Singbhum district of Bihar and theMayurbhanj district of Orissa, besides parts of West Bengal, Bangladesh and Nepal. Their language is also called Ho. These are classified as Caucasian. | |||
| Irula | In the Tamil, the name Irula means “people of darkness.” These tribes are known by different names like Eravallan, Erukala, Irava, Irular, Irular Mozhi, Iruliga, Iruligar, Korava, Yerukula and Kad Chensu. They are mainly concentrated in Chingleput at the Nilgiri foothills in Tamil Nadu. They are also found in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Karnataka. Their language, Irula, is related to Tamil and Kannada. | |||
| Jarawa | (Also known as the Onges) These tribes are found on the Rutland Island and the South Andaman Island . They speak the Jarawa language. JARAWA TRIBES — CONFLUENCE OF THE PRESENT WITH THE PAST | |||
| Jatapu | The Jatapu are mainly concentrated in the Srikakulam and Vishkapatnam districts of Andhra Pradesh. Some communities are also found in the states of Tamil Nadu and Orissa. Their original language is called Jatapu but most of the Jatapu speakers have adopted Telugu as their mother tongue. | |||
| Jats | These people form the dominant group in Haryana. | |||
| Juangs | These tribes are found in the Banspal taluk of the Keonjhar district of Orissa. | |||
| Jaunsaris | These tribes are found in Uttar Pradesh. | |||
| Kaikadi | The Kaikadis are a small tribal group located mainly in Maharashtra and Karnataka. Their language (also called Kaikadi) is a member of the Dravidian language family. | |||
| Kamar | These are the scheduled tribes found primarily in the Raipur and Rewa districts of Madhya Pradesh. Their native language is also called Kamar. | |||
| Karbi | These tribes are found in Assam. | |||
| Kashtwari | They are located mainly in Jammu and Kashmir. Their language is known as Kishtwari. | |||
| Katakari | They are located mainly in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. Their language is also known as Katkari. | |||
| Kathodia | These tribes are found in Dadra & Nager Haveli. | |||
| Kattunaickans | These tribes are found in Kerala. | |||
| Kawar | The Kawars are primarily located in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Maharashtra. Their language, Kawari, is an Indo-Aryan language that is believed to be a dialect of Halbi. | |||
| Khambas | These tribes are found in Arunachal Pradesh. | |||
| Khamtis | Known by various names like Kham-Tai, Hkamti, Khampti, Khamti Shan, Khantis and Tai Kam Ti, these tribes are found in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Myanmar. Their language is described as Khamti. | |||
| Khandeshi | They are located mainly in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat. Their language is also known as Khandesi. | |||
| Khasis | These tribes are found inKhasi-Jaintia hills in Meghalaya, Manipur, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and parts of West Bengal. They are also described by other names like Khasi Paharis, Khuchia, Kassi, Khasa and Khashi. Their language is Khasi. Khasis follow the matrilineal system of lineage. | |||
| Khiamungans | These tribes are found in the Tuensang District of Nagaland. | |||
| Khirwar | The Khirwar, a sub-group of the Gonds, live in the Sarguja district at the borders of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Some speak the local Hindi dialect in addition to their own language, Khirwari. | |||
| Khorkhas | These tribes are found in Jammu and Kashmir. | |||
| Kipgen | These tribes are found in Manipur. | |||
| Kiutze | These tribes are located mostly near the Myanmar-Tibet border. Their language is known as Rawang. | |||
| Koch | These tribes live primarily in the states of Assam and Tripura. Their language, Koch, belongs to the Tibeto-Burman language family. In the sixteenth century, the Koch tribes had established a dynasty in the Bihar region, but were driven from power by the Muslims and the Ahoms. Today, they prefer the title Rajbansi, which means “men of royal blood,” because of their ruling ancestors. | |||
| Kodagu | The Kodagu (also known as the Coorg) live in the Kodagu (Coorg) district of Karnataka. The word kodagu means “situated to the west,” and their district, Coorg, stands in the ridges of the Western Ghat Mountains. They speak a Dravidian language that is also called Kodagu. | |||
| Kadamukudy | These tribes are found in Kadamukudy Island, near Kerala. | |||
| Kodavas | The Kodavas are the people living in the Kodagu region of Karnataka, which lies in the Western Ghats. | |||
| Kokni | Also known as Kukna, Kanara and Kokna, these tribes are found in the Western Ghats in Maharashtra and in the Dang district of Gujarat. Their language is known as Kukna. | |||
| Kolam | Known by the names like Kolamboli, Kulme and Kolmi, these tribes are found mainly inhabit the hills and plains of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. They also live in the Yavatmal, Wardha and Nanded districts of Maharashtra and parts of Madhya Pradesh. They speak a Dravidian language called Kolami but can also speak Marathi, Telugu or Gondi. Around the twelfth century, the Kolam served as priests for the Gonds, representing some of their important gods. | |||
| Koli | These tribes are found in Dadra & Nager Haveli. | |||
| Konyaks | These tribes are found in the Mon district of Nagaland. Konayaks are adept artisans and skilled craftsmen. These tribes are ruled by hereditary chiefs known as Anghs. The most colourful festival of the Konyaks is called Aoling Monyu and it is observed during the first week of April every year. | |||
| Koras | These tribes are found in Bihar. | |||
| Korku | Known variously as Bondeya, Bopchi, Korki, Kurku and Kuri, these tribes are found in the southern Betul, Hoshangabad and East Nimar districts of southern Madhya Pradesh and Amravati, Buldana and Akola districts of northern Maharashtra. Their language is also known as Korku. | |||
| Korwa | The Korwas are one of the scheduled tribes of Central India. They live in the hills, valleys, and forests of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. They speak a Munda language, also called Korwa, which belongs to the Austro-Asiatic language family. There are two very distinct tribes among the Korwas: the Diharia (or Kisan), who are farmers, and the Paharia (or Benwaria), who live in the hills. These two tribes do not inter-marry. | |||
| Kota | Kota or Kotta are the tribes found in the Nilgiri Hills of Kotagiri, in Tamil Nadu. Their language is also known as Kota. | |||
| Kotwali | These tribes are found in Gujarat. | |||
| Koya | The Koyas live in the forests, plains, and valleys on both sides of the Godavari River in Andhra Pradesh. Many also live in Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. The language of these tribes is also called Koya and is closely related to Gondi and has been strongly influenced by Telugu. | |||
| Kui | Known by various names like Kuy, Kodi, Khond, Khondi, Khondo, Kanda, Kodulu and Kuinga, these tribes are found in the Udayagiri area of Orissa, and parts of Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. They are a subgroup of a Dravidian tribe known as the Kond, which literally means “mountaineers.” They speak Kui, a Dravidian language. | |||
| Kuki | These tribes are found in the Kohima district of Nagaland and parts of Manipur and Assam. | |||
| Kulu Pahari | Known by names like Kauli, Kulu Boli, Kulu Pahari, Kulu Pahari, Kullui Pahar, Pahari Kullu, Phari Kulu, Kulvi, Kullui and Kulwali, these tribes are found primarily in Himachal Pradesh. They speak Kului and Hindi. | |||
| Kumaoni | These tribes are also known as Kumauni, Kumau, Kumawani, Kumgoni, Kumman and Kunayaoni and are found in Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Nagaland. | |||
| Kurichiya | These tribes are found in the forest areas near Calicut, Tellichery and Waynad in Kerala where they were the earliest known inhabitants. They are also found in parts of Tamil Nadu. Their language is called Kurichiya, although many also speak Malayalam. It is said that their name comes from the word kuri, which is the sandalwood that they put on their foreheads and chests. | |||
| Kurumba | These tribes are mainly concentrated in the Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu and also found in parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala. They are also known as Kuruba, Kurumban, Kurumvari and Southern Kanares. The Kuruba are considered closely related to the Pallavas of the eighth century. As the Pallava rule declined, the Kuruba’s forefathers scattered over a wide area of southern India and became culturally distinct. They speak a Dravidian language that is called Kurumba or Southern Kannada. | |||
| Labans | Described variously as Banajaras, Lambadi, Gola, Wanji and Singali, these tribes are found in Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Orissa and West Bengal. They speak a language called Lamani. | |||
| Labbai | These people are found inTamil Nadu and claim to be the descendants of Arab traders. | |||
| Ladakhi | These tribes are found in Ladakh in Jammu & Kashmir.  | |||
| Lahauli | These tribes are found in Lahaul Valley of Himachal Pradesh. | |||
| Lalung | The Lalung tribe lives in the states of Assam and Meghalaya. They are divided into two main sub-divisions: those who live in the hills and those who live on the plains. The two have developed distinctions due to differences in terrain and ecology. The Lalung belong to a race known as the Bodo. According to legend, their ancestors migrated from Tibet and followed the path of the Brahmaputra River south into the hills of Assam. Later, perhaps during the mid-1600’s they migrated to the plains. | |||
| Lambada | These tribes are known by various names like Lambadi, Lavani, Lemadi, Lumadale, Banjara, Bangala, Banjori, Banjuri, Gohar- Herkeri, Goola, Gurmarti, Kora, Gormati, Singali, Sugalis, Tanda, Vanjara and Wanji. The Lambadas originated in Rajasthan but are now concentrated in Andhra Pradesh. These are also found in Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Orissa and West Bengal. They speak Lamani and Telugu. | |||
| Lepcha | Known by different names like Rong, Rongke, Rongpa and Nunpa, the people of this tribe are found in Sikkim, Kalimpong district of West Bengal, Nepal and Bhutan. Their language is known as Lepcha. | |||
| Lhoba | These tribes, which are found mostly in Arunachal Pradesh, are part of the Lhoba tribe of China. Their language, Lhoba, is part of the Sino-Tibetan language family. | |||
| Lohar | These tribes are found in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab. They are known by various names such as Gade Lohar, Gaduliya Lohar, Lohpitta Rajput Lohar, Bagri Lohar and Bhubaliya Lohar. Their language is known as Gade Lohar. | |||
| Lothas | Lothas are the tribes found in the Wokha district of Nagaland. They are known for their colourful dances and songs particularly Shanta, Tokhu Emong and Pikhuchak. | |||
| Lushi | The Lushi (Shenlung) tribes are found in Mizoram and claim Jewish ancestry. | |||
| Madiga | These people belong to Andhra Pradesh and are known by different names like Gentoo, Tailangi, Telangire, Telgi, Tengu, Terangi and Tolangan. | |||
| Malakaras | The word “Malakkara” means “mighty people of the forests”. These tribes, which are also known as Mala Muthas, are found in Kerala. They speak Malamutha and Malayalam. | |||
| Malappanackers | These are the tribes found in Kerala. They speak Malappanackan and Malayalam. | |||
| Malmis | These tribes are found in Lakshadweep. | |||
| Malto | Known as Malti, Maltu, Malpaharia and Rajmahalia, these tribes are found in Rajmahal hills in Northeast Bihar and West Bengal. Their language is also called Malto. | |||
| Manipuri Jews | This community sees itself as descendants of the Menashe Tribe (which is considered as one of the 10 lost tribes of Jews). These people have Chinese appearance and they claim that after their forefathers were exiled and enslaved by the Assyrians they somehow escaped from slavery and moved initially to China and later to India. Known as the “Children of Menmasseh,” they live on the border of India and Burma, and a majority of them are believed to be Messianic Jews (believers in Jesus Christ — Yeshua). Their number is estimated to be about 1.2 to 1.5 million. Israelis refer to this people by the name Shinlung or Lushi. | |||
| Manjhi | These tribes live mainly in the Gumla district of Bihar and parts of West Bengal and Assam. Their primary language is Manjhi, but they also speak Sadri and Bihari. | |||
| Mappilla (Moplas) | These are the Muslim tribes found in Kerala’s northern coastal towns and the Lakshadweep Islands off the Malabar Coast. The Laccadive Mappilla are unique in that they have maintained a matrilineal society (line of descent is traced through the women) in spite of their Islamic beliefs. | |||
| Maria | The Maria or Muria are a sub-group of Gonds and live in the forests and hills of central India. They live along the Indrawati River, which flows through the Bastar district of Madhya Pradesh. They are divided into two groups: the Maria and the Bison Horn Maria. The two groups have very little contact with each other, except during certain annual festivals. | |||
| Mauris | These tribes are found in Jammu and Kashmir. | |||
| Mavchi | The Mavchis are a sub-group of Bhils. Their language is also called Mavchi or Mawchi. | |||
| Mech | The Mech are mainly found in the forests and hills of Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Coochbehar districts of West Bengal and also parts of Assam. They are related to the Bodo and Kachari tribes and speak Bodo, a branch of the Sino-Tibetan language family. | |||
| Meithei | These tribes are also known as Mitei, Manipuris, Kathe, Kathi and Ponna, and are found in Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, besides Bangladesh and Myanmar. These tribes are of Mongol origin and speak a Tibeto-Burman language called Meithei. | |||
| Melacheris | These tribes are found in Lakshadweep. | |||
| Meos | These are the rural tribes concentrated in the districts of Alwar and Bharatpur in Rajasthan and in the Gurgaon district in Haryana. They speak in Marwari (Rajasthani). | |||
| Mikir | These tribes, which are also known by the names Mikiri, Manchati and Karbi, are found in the Mikir and Rengma Hills of Assam. Their language is called Mikir. | |||
| Mina | These tribes are found in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. | |||
| Minicoy | These tribes are found in the Minicoy islands of Lakshadweep. | |||
| Mishing | These tribes are found in the Majuli Island of Arunachal Pradesh. They are also known as Miri. They speak Miri, a dialect of Adi. | |||
| Mishmi | These tribes are found in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. | |||
| Mog | These are the Buddhist tribes found in Tripura, who claim to have originated from Arakan. | |||
| Mon | These tribes are found in the Ladakh region. | |||
| Monpa | Known by different names like Moinba, Monba, Mompa, Momba, Menpa and Memba, these tribes are found in Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Tibet. They speak a language called Moinba. | |||
| Mru | The Mrus are primarily located in the region where the borders of India, Bangladesh and Myanmar intersect. They are concentrated in the Chittagong Hills in Bangladesh, Arakan Yoma district of Myanmar and in the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. The native language of these tribes is also called Mru. | |||
Mundas | These tribes are also known by different names likeMundari, Mandari, Munari, Horo, Mondari and Colh. These are known as Adivasis in Orissa. They are found mainly in southern and western parts of the Ranchi district of Bihar and also in the states of Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Tripura and West Bengal and in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, besides Nepal and Bangladesh. Their language is called Mundari. Mundas are the most ancient among the tribes of Bihar. | |||
| Nahari | They are located mainly in the Raipur, Bilaspur, and Sambalpur districts of Madhya Pradesh, as well as parts of Orissa. | |||
| Naikda | These tribes are found in Dadra & Nager Haveli and Daman & Diu. | |||
| Neethakani | These tribes are found mainly in the Neelwai vilage of Andhra Pradesh. | |||
| Nicobarese | These are the people of Mongoloid stock found on the Car Nicobar Island. These tribes are also known as Car and Pu. | |||
| Nihal | These tribes are found in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh and are also known as Nihali, Nahal, Nahali and Kalto. | |||
| Nimadi | These tribes are located mainly in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. | |||
| Nishi | These tribes are found in Arunachal Pradesh. | |||
| Nocte | These are the tribes found in Nagaland and are known by other names like Borduria, Jaipuria, Paniduria, Mohongia and Namsangia. | |||
| Noniya Caste | The Noniyas are the traditional earth-workers of Uttar Pradesh. | |||
Major Tribes of India-2
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