Debbarma


Debbarma is a generic term applied to a number of ethnic groups, predominantly in Tripura state, India and Bangladesh speaking Kokborok which is Tibeto-Burman languages.
Debbarma is the surname of indigenous clans of Tripuri community from Tripura. This surname is generally used by the Kokborok-speaking Tripuri people, the indigenous people of Tripura, a state in India. This is one of the cases where use of a surname reflects ethnic or community membership. The Debbarmas are the majority in number in Tripura, even after the Princely state Tripura merged with Indian territory on 9th September, 1949 through The Tripura Merger Agreement, as being signed by The Queen Regent after the demise of the then King, His Highness Maharaja Bir Bikram Kishore Manikya Debbarma due to unknown reasons.

Variations

The variations of "Debbarma" consist of Debbarma, Deb Barma, Deb Burman, Dev Burman, Dev Barma, Dev Varman and Devvarman.

Classifications

Although Debbarmas speak Kokborok, some differences in their accents can be found, if observed very carefully. The way they speak it varies in tones and words too. The accent of someone residing in North has so much differences if compared to someone residing in South.
For example, a few centuries ago when Tripura was ruled by Manikya Kings, they classified Debbarmas according to the occupations they served them
These are -