There are probably more than 100 Primitive Tribes around the world. In India, there are 2800 castes. Out of the 76 Primitive Tribal Groups in India 40 Tribal Communities live in West Bengal. Asur is one of them, which is considered to be the oldest community in India. It fall under Proto-Australoid category of ancient human who started migrating from Africa around 65,000 years ago. They speak Asuri language which belongs to Austro-Asiatic family of languages. Historical survey method was followed here. Asur believes Mahishasur, who also appears in Hindu mythologies as a demon, to be their proud ancestor of Harappa-Mahenjodaro civilization, and hence they inherit their common surname ‘Asur’ even today. The community are regularly observing “Asur Utsab”or ‘Mahisasur Swaran Sabha’ (i.e., Assembly for remembering Mahisasur) on the occasion of Durga Puja in West Bengal. Very low literacy level and withdrawing from the outside world brought them on the verge of extinction today.
Asur community, Asuri language, Australoid category, Most Vulnerable Tribal Groups, Proto-Mahisasur Utsab
