The Mech tribe inhabits parts of
Assam and
West Bengal. They mostly build their villages in the forests and hilly regions. They are related to the
Kachari and
Bodo tribes.
Their language is Bodo, which belongs to the Sino-Tibetan family of languages. Mech Tribe believe in both
Hinduism and Animism. Conforming to their beliefs, they worship the rivers, forests, celestial bodies, snakes and certain plants. In earlier days they did not believe in idol worship. But gradual influence of Hindu religion has caused some people to adapt idol worship.
The people of Mech tribe earn their living by agriculture and silk worm rearing. They have a simple style of living. They weave their own clothes, which are also simple. They weave the clothes on a primitive loom called ‘kanti’, which is constructed from bamboo.