Khelma people

The Khelma or Khelma/Sakachep are one of the old Kuki tribes of Northeastern parts of India.

Khelma
Sakachep
Total population
Approx. 5000
Regions with significant populations
Languages
Sakachep
Religion
Predominantly Presbyterianism
Related ethnic groups
Mizo  · Hmar · Chin  · Kuki

Brief Introduction The Sakachep tribe is one of the small tribe in the Old Kuki community. They mainly inhabit in the areas of Assam 

    Dima Hasao:

a) Baigaon b) D. Langlut c) Dorbinsip d) H. Bangphiri e) Haflong f) Hatikali g) Kekrangsip h) Langting i) Lungding Khelma j) Mundet Khelma k) New Kekrangsip l) Phaijol m) S. Bangphiri n) S. Langlut o) Tuijonte p) Tuisuonthum q) Umrongso

ASSAM

   Karbi Anglong:

a) Langkercha b) Khliehmynlong c) Rumphum d) Sacheng e) Umpho

ASSAM Barak Valley(Karimganj & Hailakandi): a) Buruatilla b) Halam Punji (Pakala) c) Ronpur d) Ronpur Khuothar e) Tangpui(Kalidas) f) Zailien

MEGHALAYA

   Jaintia Hills:

a) Jowai b) Mongor c) Saithsma

NAGALAND

   Peren:

a) Khelma They are also fund in Mizoram and Tuipangram(Tripura).

their life style and habits closely resemble the other tribes of the Chin-Kuki people. Among the inhabitants of the Dima Hasao district, the Sakachep (also known as Khelma) are one of the smallest communities. The Sakachep are similar in language, customs and traditions to the Biate and Hrangkhol. They used to cremate their dead like the Vedic Hindu in the past.[1] However, 80% of the population are Christians today. They are entirely dependent on agriculture for their livelihood..

Clans

There are twelve clans in the Sakachep/Achep community. They are 1.Saithuvai(Saith) 2.Sumtinkha 3.Kholum 4. Thirsu 5.Vaichai 6.Neibom 7.Telengshing 8.Langkai 9.Kelphung 10.Thingphun(Motsun) 11.Nisatarai and 12.Zeite.

Festivals

The Sakachep also celebrate different festivals which are connected with the worshiping of different gods and goddess during the year. Saakthar,Rubu-khat, [Parsem-kutParsem-kut], Inmuthung and Rubuthum are such festivals. Rubuthum is the most important of all the ceremonies of the Khelmas during the time when they used to worship nature.It is believed that one have to perform the ceremony to bring peace in the family. Parsem Kut is one of the biggest festival they celebrate in the month of April. The Khelmas have a good number of folk songs for different occasions,which are generally slow tuned.

Customs and traditions

The traditional attire and ornaments of the Sakachep are very interesting. The women wear strings of different beads and coins around their neck. Today, majority of the young boys and girls of the villages wear pants, shirts and traditional Mekhela. The older men simply wear a Dhoti|dhuti. The traditional social administration of the "Sakachep’’ is known as the Halam, which is headed by a Kalim and Kabur. In the Khelmas community, the young man has to serve his father-in-law for four years before he is allowed to take his wife home. This system is called the Maksa. The Sakachep also celebrate different festivals, which are connected with worshiping of different gods and goddesses during the year.

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References
  1. Soppitt, C.A. (1893). A Short Account of the Kuki–Lushai Tribes of the North-East Frontier (Districts Cachar, Sylhet, Naga Hills, etc., and Dima Hasao) With An Outline Grammar of the Rangkhol-Lushai Language and a Comparison of Lushai With Other Dialects. (Reprint, 1976). Culcutta: Firma-KLM Pvt. Ltd.
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