Monipuri Tribal Community
About Monipuri Tribal Community
The Monipuri (Manipuri) people settled in greater Sylhet generations ago, and today several villages around Sreemangal and Kamalganj keep their language, Vaishnavite traditions and crafts alive. For visitors, the most visible of these is handloom weaving: brightly patterned shawls, saris and bed covers made on wooden looms, often at home.
A visit is low-key. You walk through clean village lanes, meet weavers, watch a piece taking shape on the loom and can buy directly if something catches your eye. The community is also known for Manipuri dance, one of the classical dance forms of the region; the big Rash festival around the full moon of autumn, held in Kamalganj, draws large crowds with night-long performances.
Evergreen Bangladesh Tours includes a Monipuri village on private Sreemangal tours with a local guide who knows the families, so the visit feels like a welcome rather than a show. It fits neatly with Madhabpur Lake or a tea garden walk at Nur Jahan Tea Garden.
Things to do
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Handloom weaving
Watch weavers at work on traditional looms and see how the patterns are built up thread by thread.
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Buy from the makers
Shawls, scarves and saris are sold in the villages and in small shops around Sreemangal. Buying direct supports the weavers.
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Village walk
Stroll through the neat lanes and temple courtyards with a guide who can explain local customs.
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Manipuri dance and festivals
If your dates match the autumn Rash festival, you can see dance performances that run late into the night.
Getting there
From Sreemangal: the nearest villages are a short drive from town; others lie towards Kamalganj, about an hour away.
From Dhaka: travel to Sreemangal by train or road (around four to five hours) and visit with a local guide.
Where to stay
Stay in Sreemangal, which has resorts set in tea gardens as well as simple hotels in town.
More to see in Moulvibazar
Tours that visit Monipuri Tribal Community
Short Tours
Sreemangal & Sylhet Discovery Tour: Tea, Tribal Culture & Nature
from $400 per person
Short Tours
The Best of Bangladesh: City, Tea & Heritage Tour
from $500 per person
Questions
Can I just walk into a Monipuri village?
The villages are open, but going with a local guide makes introductions easier and helps you find weavers at work.
When is the Rash festival?
It is held around the full moon in autumn, usually in November. Check the date for the year before you plan around it.
Can I buy handwoven shawls?
Yes. Weavers sell from home and small shops in Sreemangal stock Monipuri textiles too.
How long does a visit take?
Two to three hours is comfortable, and it combines well with tea gardens or Madhabpur Lake.