TheHalam community are various tribes native to the state ofTripura inIndia. The nameHalam was coined by theTipraMaharaja.^[1] As per their oral tradition they called themselves "Riam", which literally means "human being". And lyrically they also call themselves "Riamrai, Chepvon, Reivon, Longvon etc.". The Halam are further divided into 12sub-tribes, namely Sakachep,Chorei, Molsom,Hrangkhol, Kaipeng, Kalai,Ranglong, Thangachep, Bongcher,Korbwng, Dab and Rupini.

In terms of ethnology and language, theHalam community group belongs to OldKuki groups. But it is difficult to trace their original settlement. Different scholars propounded different theories in analyzing the migratory route of Halam. However, no anthropological research documents are available about them. According to their own belief and tradition the Halam originated from a place called 'Khurpuitabum' meaning 'a big cave,’ which is supposed to be somewhere in south central China. This theory of origin is very common among theChin-Mizo-Kuki groups with slight variations in name. Apart from Halam group, the OldKuki tribes likeChorei,Khelma/Sakachep,Aimol,Ranglong,Hrangkhol inhabit in theKarimganj district ofAssam,North Tripura andDalai district ofTripura andMizoram,Anal,Chawthe,Chiru,Koren,Kom,Lamgang,Purum,Tikhup andVaiphei ofManipur also asserted that they are the descendant of a couple who came out of 'Khurpui' meaning 'cave' (B. Lalthangliana, 2001,Mizo Chanchin, Remkungi,Aizawl, p. 37)

According to S.B.K. Dev Varman, theHalam community coined by Tipra Maharaja (S.B.K. Dev Varman, The Tribes of Tripura, p. 35). The Halams group are said to be migrated from 'Khurpuitabum,’ a place in the hills just to the north ofManipur (Ibid. p. 35). Those of theKukis, who had submitted to the Tripura Raja, came to be known as Halam (http://www.tripuratribes.ac.in^{[permanent dead link]}).

Regarding the origin of the term 'Halam,’ some suggest that 'Halam' means 'killer of human beings' (K.S. Singh, People of India, Vol. V, p. 1243). Perhaps, the neighboring people might name them 'Halam' as they were ferocious and used to killed strangers in olden days. The term 'Halam' is expected to be coined by others. One interpretation is that, in Tripuri language, 'Ha' means 'earth' and 'Lam' means 'route'. So it means 'earth route.' It is said that when they came in contact with the king of Tripura, the Maharaja had given them the title 'Halam.' From this definition, it can be presumed that Halam migrated to their present place of settlement through earth route. However, there is no agreed point on the origin of the term 'Halam.' In the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes orders (Amendment) Act. 1976, Halam is placed at No. 6 in the list of Scheduled Tribes of Tripura.

Conversion toChristianity started about the mid-1900s.^{[citation needed]} About 30% of the Halam are Christian.^{[citation needed]} The spread of Christianity among the Halam does not interfere with cultural activities (except religious activities). The Christian Halam attended the socio-cultural ceremonies of their Hindu neighbors. They participate in and depend on the traditional village administration as do their Hindu neighbors. There is a reason why the Tripura Raja differentiate Halam from Kuki, Halam people do not have king or chief nor their owngod to worship. So, the Raja appointedSordar to rule Halam people, and anidol for each clan to worship. E.g. Mualţhuam/Molsom sub-tribe are given an idol made from Gooseberry tree, they calledZobawmthang.^[2] Bawngcher sub-clan are givenThirlum Thirphrai.Thirlum is an iron ball smaller than the size of cricket ball,Thirphrai is an iron plate, a size of thumb. Both have no inscriptions on them.^[3]

During theBritish Raj, the Halam ofTripura were transported to theSylhet region to work in tea plantations. They can still be found inSylhet andHabiganj districts of Bangladesh, where they continue this livelihood. They make up a population of only 5000. Use of theKokborok language is rapidly decreasing with theBengali language being more common nowadays. They are divided into 12 clans; Machafang, Migli, Chorei, Bongcher,Hrangkhol, Kalai, Molsom, Rupini, Mitahar, Langkai,Ranglong and Kaipeng.^[4]

• Kamal Bongcher; Zohming Thanga Bongcher, eds. (2011).Echoes from Lungleng Tang: Bongcher Literature of Oral Tradition. Translated by Saroj Chaudhuri.Sahitya Akademi.ISBN 9788126032105.
• Halam, Abhi Oy (2020).History and Culture of the Halam Tribe.Tribal Research and Cultural Institute, Government of Tripura.ISBN 978-93-86707-21-5.

• Kuki tribes
• Scheduled Tribes of India
• Ethnic groups in Bangladesh

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