Uchoi

Uchoi is one of the 21 scheduled tribes of Tripura state of India. They are mainly dwelling in the Gomati and the South Tripura districts of Tripura state of India. They speak the language Kokborok which is of Tibeto-Burmese and their dialect is similar with Reang tribe. According to the folk tales, Uchois and Reangs are of same origin. Language and culture of Uchois are also similar with other Kokborok speaking tribes.They are the least in number among Tripuri tribes around 6000 or more. These people are also found in Lawngtlai, Lunglei and Mamit district of Mizoram and Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh and are called Usui. These people follow Buddhism and also few numbers following ISCKON apart from worshiping nature and spirits though in the wake of Christian missionaries activities, since the 80s of the 20th century, maximum of the population now has been converted to Christianity in faith. Bandarban and Rangamati District are the home of these people in Bangladesh. Thanchi, Rowangchari and Ruma Upzaila of Bandarban district are the present habitat of them while Kaptai and Rajsthali upazila (sub dist.) have been the same in Rangamati district.

Usui/Uchoi women weave and worn their own traditional dress while men are now used to wear in Lungyi and shirts like Marma people. Women usually wear big earring and bigger bunch of handmade necklaces known as "LWKOH" which easily help them to recognize. The skirt is woven in the black -white-red linen and wore as open skirt of like Sarong which is comparatively thick and lowered down to the knee in position. Blouses usually are made or stitched of printed or plan fabric bought from local bazars.

In Uchois marriage system there was a mandatory rule for staying of bridegroom in the house of father-in-law before the final marriage. But now a days this system is not prevalent.

The social council of Uchois are very much rigid at one point of time but this type social institute is not so active now. Still the chief of the council "SARPA" sort out the primary problems and disputes among the community members.