Bangladesh is a country of many races, cultures, religions and languages. The large Bengali-speaking population of this country, along with the Bengalis, has long been inhabited by a number of small ethnic groups. They are different from the Bengalis in customs, ceremonies, religion, language, reforms and culture. They are an integral and inevitable part of Bangladesh.
Indigenous and small ethnic groups
Aborigines, the English word for aboriginal, comes from the Latin word aborigine which means "from the beginning" meaning the aboriginal people living in a country are called aborigines. Minorities, on the other hand, refer to minorities and relatively backward races or communities living alongside major nations.
Statistics of small ethnic groups in Bangladesh
There is disagreement about the actual number of ethnic minorities in Bangladesh. According to the 1991 census, there are 29 small ethnic groups in Bangladesh. Most of them live in different hilly areas of Chittagong Hill Tracts. According to the 2001 census, the total number of tribals in Bangladesh is 3 lakh 64 thousand 85 people. However, according to the data provided by the Bangladesh Indigenous Forum, there are 45 ethnic minorities and a total of more than 20 lakh indigenous people. Notable among the small ethnic groups of Bangladesh are Chakma, Marma, Rakhine, Thanchangya, Manipuri, Garo, Hajong, Santal, Khasia etc. They have been living in the Greater Chittagong Hill Tracts, Mymensingh, Sylhet, Rangpur, Dinajpur, Panchagarh, Rajshahi, Thakurgaon, Cox's Bazar etc. for ages.
Chakma:
The Chakmas are the largest ethnic group in Bangladesh. The Chakmas call themselves Changma. They live in the greater Chittagong Hill Tracts, especially in Rangamati, Khagrachhari, Bandarban and other districts. They are again divided into small groups. They have their own social, administrative and judicial system with the king in charge. The king settled the Chakmas' customs, customs, land, revenue management, village quarrels and various other issues. The social system of the Chakmas is patriarchal. As a result, only the sons inherit the ancestral property. Although agriculture is their main livelihood, at present the Chakmas have also found a place in employment and business. Among the indigenous communities, the Chakmas have the highest literacy rate (36.8%). They are Buddhists. Their main religious and social festivals include Maghi full moon, Baishakhi full moon, Buddhist full moon, Kathin Chibar Dan, Madhu full moon, lantern flying etc. One of the biggest festivals of Chakmas is Biju festival.
Marma:
The second largest community in terms of majority is the Marma. Although Marmas live in the hill districts, they are mainly residents of Bandarban. They are called Marma because they came from Myanmar. However, the word Marma comes from the word ‘Mraima’. About 1 lakh Marmas live in Bandarban. Like the Chakmas, the responsibility of social justice is in the hands of the king. Despite the patriarchal social system, Marma girls inherit the same ancestral property. They make a living by cultivating zoom, hunting river fish and crabs and making cloth, cigars etc. However, they are rapidly establishing themselves in the field of education, employment, business and other fields. The Marmaras speak their own language but use the Burmese alphabet to write. The Marmaras are Buddhists. Their main religious and social festivals include Buddhist full moon, Kathin Chibar Dan, Wagyoai etc.
Garo:
The Garos, one of the smallest ethnic groups in Bangladesh, live in the deep forests of Madhupur in the greater Mymensingh district, the forested areas and the hills of the Garo Hills. Besides, the existence of some Garos can be noticed in Netrokona, Tangail and Sunamganj areas. Anthropologists think they are a branch of the Mongol ethnic group. The Garos prefer to identify themselves as the people of Achchik Mandi. However, those who live in the plains only identify as mandi. The social system of the Garos is matriarchal. The name of the language of the Garos is Achchik Bhasha. However, the language of the Garos living in the plains is different, their language is called Mandi language. The Garos believe in a distinct religion and religious beliefs are at the heart of their cultural festivals and rituals. The biggest religious and social festival of the Garos is the Nabanna or Wangala festival.
Rakhine:
The Rakhine community is basically an ethnic group in Myanmar. Rakhines live in parts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Rangamati and Bandban districts. Rakhine are commonly known as Mugs. Rakhine are Buddhists. As a result, their main festivals are- Buddha's birth anniversary celebration, Baishakhi full moon, Maghi full moon etc. In addition, the Rakhine celebrate the 3-day Sangrai festival in a very pompous manner. Men like to wear lungi, fatwa and women like to wear lungi, blouse, ornaments and flowers on their head. In Rakhine marriages, it is customary for men to pay dowry.
Manipuri:
The Manipuris originate in the Indian state of Manipur. They came and took refuge in greater Sylhet during the Burma-Manipur war. Manipuris are also found in Brahmanbaria and Mymensingh. Due to linguistic and religious differences, the Manipuri community is divided into three separate sub-groups. (1) Bishnupriya, (2) Maitai, (3) Pangan. According to the SIL International statistics of 2003, there are a total of 40,000 Bishnupriya Manipuris and 15,000 Maitai Manipuris in Bangladesh. The culture of Manipuris is very rich and traditional. Especially Manipuri dance is internationally acclaimed. Raspurnima is the biggest festival of Manipuris.
Hajong
Among the small ethnic groups of Bangladesh, a significant Hajong community is found in Netrokona district. Ha means soil and rust means insects. In fact, they are named Hajong because of their affinity with agriculture. About 3000 Hajongs live in Bangladesh. They have occupied a significant place in history by leading movements like Hajong Rebellion, Tebhaga Movement etc. Hajongs have their own language. The biggest festival of Hajong is 'Pak Khela' festival. Some of them are followers of Buddhism and some of them are followers of Christianity. Apart from rice, fish and vegetables, young bamboo powder or meowa is their favorite food.
Apart from the mentioned communities, some other small ethnic groups like Tripura, Khyang, Munda, Chuck, Lusai etc. live in Bangladesh.
At present the condition of small ethnic groups is:
In the past, these small ethnic groups were oppressed and persecuted in many ways at the hands of the majority, but now the situation has changed. At present, the government is taking various steps including special quotas for small ethnic groups, vocational education assistance and is playing an effective role in making this backward community progress in education and culture. Indigenous communities now make a living not only by farming but also by getting higher education and working in respectable positions. Besides, special facilities are being provided to them in all fields like business, politics, industry-culture etc.
Minority communities living in Bangladesh are citizens of this country. So it is our national responsibility to show respect to them and preserve their culture, history, heritage. At present, if some initiatives are taken, their history, heritage, customs, way of life, etc. need to be researched on a wider scale and appropriate and effective steps should be taken to preserve them.
