Tibet region is considered to be the origin of Lalungs who prefer to call themselves as Tiwa. They landed on the plains following the course of river Brahmaputra. The word Lalung means ‘La' means water and ‘Lung' rescued ie the mighty river Brahmaputra gave shelter to the Bohemians. It is believed the Lalungs had migrated to Assam somewhere in the middle of the 17th century AD. Mainly they are found in the district of Nowgoan.

Tiwa people are known to be a group of Tibeto-Burmese tribe. Although they were also referred to as the Lalungs, they prefer the name Tiwa. Rice, beer, pork, fowl, duck and dry fish are the favorite food items of the Tiwas, apart from various vegetables like bamboo shoots, creepers, tuber roots etc. The basic occupation of the Tiwas is cultivation of the land. Fishing and hunting were traditionally practiced by the Tiwa people, until the modern concerns with the environment did away with hunting. Community fishing is still practiced.

Tiwas are divided into a number of clans that are further sub-divided into several sub-clans. A clan is generally consists of several ‘Khutas'. A single khuta does not constitute a khel or a clan. No family can remain outside a clan.

A ‘Giyati' is the priest who performs the socio-religious functions of the Tiwas. Clans are maintained in a kind of hierarchical order. Traditionally, the ‘Na Bhuni' clans are considered superior to the ‘Sat Bhuni' clans; the Tiwas seem to accept this divide without any social tension.

The Tiwas have a traditional faith akin to the Hindu Sakta religion, but the mode of worship is not quite the same. The Tiwas living in the hills worship stone images. A ‘tripod' is established on the altar which represents the Lord Shiva or Lord Mahadeva, the Supreme God in Tiwa tradition. Each clan possesses a community hall, which known as ‘Bor-ghar'. It is used for community worship, and is usually constructed in a public place. Religious functions are observed in the ‘Than'. In the plains most of the Tiwas have adopted Hindu gods and goddesses and some of them taken to Vaishnavism. These people usually build the ‘Nam-ghar' as the space for offering prayers.

The main festivals of Tiwas are the (i) three ‘Bisus' (Bihus), (ii) ‘Barat Utsava', (iii) ‘Sagra Misuana', (iv) ‘Wansua', and (v) ‘Jone Beel' Mela. Usually, two types of songs are sung by them during the festivals – the ‘Lo Ho La Hai' – songs of religious festivals; and the ‘Lali Hillalli' – songs of marriage. Songs and dances are the life spirit of the Tiwa community; the tribe is considered to have one of the richest reservoirs of folk songs and dances in Assam.

The Tiwas of different areas observe Bihu during different days of the week. One of the most attractive festivals of the Tiwas is the ‘Jon Beel Mela' of Magh Bihu. This is the traditional ‘Gobha Haat' or the space for barter exchange. This ‘haat' has been continuing from time immemorial at a place name Jon beel, an ancient water-body.
Here, the hill people and plains people exchange commodities. On the preceding day of the Mela, the ‘Gova Raja' and other officers enjoy a community feast or the ‘Noan Joa' on the banks of the Jon Beel.

The Barat Utsava is the community festival of the Tiwas which bears a religio-cultural character. It is observed in the month of ‘Puha'. Youth from different villages gather and assemble birds carved out of wood and bamboo that are fixed to a long bamboo or reed. While singing songs of ‘Barat', the rope is pulled to make the birds dance atop the poles. ‘Peerajuj' is one special feature observed at the end of the festival.

‘Sagra Misawa' is a spring festival that echoes with its music and dance. It is a bachelor's festival that begins with the worship of ‘Langkhun' and ‘Mahadeva' with sacrifices of goats, fowl, and other birds. Significantly, masks are used in the dance.

The Lalung families are nuclear family. After death of the father or before the death the land is divided equally divided among his children. The house goes to that son who lived with father till death.

This tribe construct their house on plinth. Thatch is used for roofing. The granary is constructed on the east and there should be a courtyard in front of the house. The dresses of women are similar to the Assamese woman. The womenfolk are expert weaver where they express their artistic outlook through designs. They are also great lovers of music and dance.

The Lalungs considered the marriages as the form of union between a man and woman. Illegal unions are hated. Marriages are solemnized after attainment of property. Clan exogamy is strictly adhered to. Monogamy is recognized but polygamy can not be ruled out. Widows can get remarried and cases of divorce are few.

Both cremation and burial are practiced. Normal deaths done by crimination and unnatural deaths are buried.

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