Kacharis belong to the Indo-Tibeto-Burman linguistic family of the great Mongoloid race. Historical accounts show that the Kacharis were the earliest settlers and predominant dynasty of the Brahmaputra valley including the Dhansiri, Kolong and Barak valleys during the early medieval period of History.

“The Kacharis may perhaps be described as the aborigines or earliest inhabitants of the Brahmaputra valley” thus wrote Sir Edward Gait in his book “A History of Assam”. The history of the Kacharis is believed to be as old as the Mahabharata of the Epic Age which mentions about the foothill dwellers of the Great Himalayas as “Kiratas” who, according to many historians, were the Kacharis.

Kacharis are colourful people with a rich tradition and culture of their own. They treasure their own varieties of traditional music and dances which are indispensable during cultural activities and celebrations of auspicious occasions. Kacharis have rich repertories of songs, ballads, legendary and historical narratives, lullabies and verses of various kinds of such benedictory, emotive, amorous and magical moods each of which has distinct expression and tune. The existence of different forms of songs and dances to suit a particular occasion is a unique culture of the Kacharis. For instance, a particular form of song and dance is performed for welcoming a guest, paying respect to the audience, wishing good luck to the guest etc.

Traditional Kachari attire is bright and beautifully woven, with men wearing patterned shawls and dhotis, often accompanied by turbans or headgear, while women wear elegant dokhnas, blouses, and woven scarves. Both men and women adorn themselves with bead necklaces, silver ornaments, and handcrafted jewelry that showcase their artistic skills. Weaving, cane crafting, pottery, and bamboo work continue to reflect their craftsmanship and cultural identity.