Child care, which also includes breast feeding practice, plays a significant role on the health and wellbeing of the children, both physically and psychologically. Considering this, the present study was undertaken in the Rani area of Kamrup (rural) district of Assam to assess the breast feeding practices among the under five children of a tribal and non tribal population. A community based cross sectional study was undertaken among 371 subjects belonging to the Garo tribe and Assamese caste population. Data was collected by interviewing mothers using a predesigned and pretested schedule. Majority of the mothers (Garo: 87.1%, Assamese: 69.0%) have initiated early breast feeding. It is observed that 36.3% of Garo and 13.0% of Assamese have discarded colostrums. Pre-lacteal feeding is found to be 15.2% and 30.5% among the Garo and the Assamese community respectively. Exclusive breast feeding is found to be less (Garo: 35.1% and Assamese: 38.0%) in the study populations. A significant difference is found between the two groups of population with regards to early initiation of breast feeding, feeding of colostrums and pre-lacteals. Awareness regarding exclusive breast feeding should be improved.