Khelma

Khelma or "Khelma/Sakachep" are one of the Kuki or the Mizo tribe.This tribe is one of the smallest tribe in Kuki community. They mainly inhabited in areas of Assam's North Cachar Hills, Cachar and karbi Anglong. We can find Khelma/Sakachep tribe in Jaintia hills in Meghalaya and some lives in Peren district in Nagaland.The life style and habitat are closely resemble to the other tribe of the kuki or the Mizo Community. Among the inhabitants of N.C. Hills district the Sakachep also known as Khelmas are one of the smallest community. The Khelmas have close resemblances to the Hrangkhols and the Baites in language, customs and traditions. The Khelmas cremate the dead like the vedic Hindu in olden days. 90 % of the population are christians these days. Besides, this community is entirely dependent on agriculture for their livelihood.The Khelmas also celebrate different festivals which are connected with worship of different gods and goddess during a year. The Khelmas also have a number of folk songs for different accessions. Their songs are generally slow.Parsem Kut is one of the biggest festival they celebrate in the month of April.which is the age-old traditional shifting jhum cultivation.