Ethnic groups of Bangladesh

[messbaul175]

Different ethnic groups of Bangladesh and their colorful lifestyles have significantly enriched the entire culture of Bangladesh. For centuries, Bangladesh has been the dwelling place of different ethnic groups. In fact, 35 smaller groups of indigenous people covering about two percent of the total population have been living in different pockets of the hilly zones and some areas of the plain lands of the country. Their historical background, economic activities, social structure, religious beliefs and festivals make them distinctive.

The beauty of the hilly zones as well as the plain areas has been enhanced by the rich culture and traditional practices of different ethnic groups, like the Mandi & Hajong in the northern part, the Manipuri & Khasia in the northeast, the Chakma, Tripura, Marma, Rakhain, Mru, Tanchyanga, Murong in the eastern & southeastern parts, the Santal & Rajbangshi in the western part of the country.

Almost all tribal languages have rich folk literatures, consisting of poems, songs, fairy tales and legends relating to their past nomadic life. There are plenty of narratives, similar to the Maimensingha Gitika, in the Mogh, Chakma, Khasia and Garo languages.The folk tales of the tribal languages have similarities with those in Bangla.The ballads in some of the languages of the Himalayan foothills are similar to those in Bangla folk literature. Their linguistic aspects are similar to those of early Bangla. The rhymes in Bangla and the tribal languages are similar in subject, rhythm and vocabulary.

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The Chakma: CHITTAGONG HILLS

Chakmas are found in Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. They are also found in North east India. The Chakmas are the largest ethnic group in Chittagong Hill Tracts. They are Buddhist in religion. They have their own language which is Chakma Language. The language is closely related to Bengali. The Chakma's are a people with their own culture, folklore, literature and traditions. The Chakma women wear an ankle length cloth around the waist which is a called Finon and a Hadi, wrapped above the waist as well as silver ornaments. Bizu is the main festival of The Chakmas. It’s a three days long festival. It’s a public holiday in Chittagong hill tracks.

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The Tanchangya: CHITTAGONG HILLS

Tanchangya people are found in Rangamati district in Chittagong-Hill tracks. They are Buddhist in religion. Tanchangya is used as their language. Traditionally a Tanchangya woman wears colourful dresses and ornaments. The full dresses of Tanchangya women are known as “Paiet kapor”, which consists of five parts. Tanchangya women also wear various ornaments. Tanchangya has their own music, day by day it is getting famous in modern world. There are many Tanchangya musical instruments such as Bashi, Kengkrong, Chobuk, Duduk etc. Bishu the Bengali new year and the Buddha Purnima are the main festival of these people.

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The Garos: MYMENSHING & SRIMANGAL

According to one such oral tradition, the Garos first came to Meghalaya from Tibet about 400 (BC) years ago under the leadership of Jappa Jalimpa, crossing the Brahmaputra River and tentatively settling in the river valley. It is said that they were later driven up into the hills by other groups in and around the Brahmaputra River. Various records of the tribe by invading Mughal armies and by Brirish observers in what is now Bangladesh wrote of the brutality of the people.

They are one of the few remaining matrilineal societies in the world. Most of the Garos are Christian in religion. They use a native language which is the Garo language. Both men and women wear ornaments likely Nadongbi, Nadirong, Natapsi, Jaksan ect. Wangala is the main festival of them. Most of the Garo architectures are of similar type. They normally use locally available building materials like timbers, bamboo, cane and thatch. A Garo village is a well-knit unit, the population consisting of one domiciled Ma’chong or lineage of a Chatchi or clan, which has proprietary rights over the entire land of the village or A’king, as it is called.

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The Manipuris: SYLHET/SRIMANGAL

The Manipuris are one of the major ethnic communities of Bangladesh. They migrated to Bangladesh during the reign of Rajarshi Bhagyachandra (1764-1789) and the process was accelerated by the Manipuri-Burma war. After the war with Burma, Manipur was ruled by the Burmese invaders for about seven years. During that period, King Chourajit Singh accompanied by a large following of Manipuri subjects moved to areas - now in Bangladesh. 

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The Rakhain: COX’S BAZAR

The Rakhain, belonging to the Bhotbarmi community of the Mongoloids, came from the land Rakhain Pre, which is now known as Arakan in Myanmar. The word Rakhain originates from the word Rakshan, which means the people who preserve and safeguard their heritage and culture. 

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The Khasia: SYLHET /SRIMANGAL

'Better the dance, better the crop...' a saying of the Khasias, one of the ethnic groups of Bangladesh. Earlier, Khasia people used to live along the northeast border of Sunamganj district. At present they are spread over Bishwamvarpur, Tahirpur and Chhatak in Sunamganj. Most Khasias live in the border region. Many Khasia children are found working in the tea gardens in Kulaura. 

The Tripuras: SYLHET & CHITTAGONG HILLS

The Tripuras are another large ethnic group in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region. At present they live in CHT, especially in Ramgarh and Khagrachhari. It is also believed that Tripuras currently living in Bangladesh originally came from the Indian state of Tripura. The number of Tripuras in Chittagong Hill Tracts areas was close to 80,000 in 1991, and it has no doubt increased considerably by this time.

[MahmudPolash]

Thanks dear @messbaul175. You have written a huge knowledgeable article about our ethnic tribal groups. 

[ShafiulB]

@messbaul175 Thanks a lot for this article which is full of Bangladesh Ethnic Groups who's are carry their own tradition in their hill areas. 

This is a best Topic I see in this forum about any special matter. Which is completly highlights about the tribal peoples in the mountain regions.  

Thanks again

Happy Guiding!!!