€¦ · web viewthesis paper. on. ethnic people of bangladesh. submitted by. . bangladesh is a...

Thesis Paper

On

Ethnic People of Bangladesh

Submitted by

WWW.ASSIGNMENTPOINT.COM

www.AssignmentPoint.com 1

Bangladesh is a land of variety. The charm of its landscape,

hills, hillocks& woods are as alluring as those of the primitive

people who inhabit its solitary woodlands. There are Maghs,

Kukis,Chakmas,Lushais,Murangs,Tangchangys,Shendus,Bonjogis,

Pankhos,&Tipras& others who dwell in the sylvan shadows of

Chittagong Hill Tracts, the Khasis of Sylhet border &Jaintia Hills,

the Manituris who live in the vicinity of Sylhet town,

theGaros,Hajongs,Hodis,Palias&Baluis who inhabit the hilly

expanseof Mymensingh & Tangail,& the Oraons,Santals,Rajbansis

,Hos,Mundas ,Buns & the rest who dwell on the plains of Rangpur,

Dinajpur,Rajshahi & Bogra.

In Chittagong Hill Tracts the Ethnic people are related to

Arakan or Barma Kuki-Chine generation & some Ethinic people

came from Southern part.The Anthropologist LAUIN are divided

two main kinds of Ethinic people:


Khiontha / Rivers child (They live

in the river side area ).

Tongtha / Hills child ( They live

in Hill area ).

The Ethnic group of Bangladesh:

ORAONS

SANTALS / SAONTAL

RAJBANSI

KHASI / KHASIA

MANIPURIS

PANGONS

GAROS / MANDI

HAJONGS

MAGHS


MURANGS

TIPRAS / TRIPURAS

PANKHOS &BANJOGIS

SHENDUS

KHUMIS

CHAKMAS

LUSHAI

BOMANG

MARMA

CHAK

KHYANG

KUKI

BAWN

BONGJOGI

HARIZON

MAHAT

MRO

MONG

MUNDA / MUNDIA

PAHARI / PHARIA

PATHER

URANG / ORAN

URUO / URUA / URIN


SHONDUJ

THE ORAONS

The Oraons are not the natives of the soil or autochthones, as

it called of Bangladesh. They originally hailed from the hilly

regions of Orissa,Chhoto Nagpur & Rajmahal of India. It is not

known for certain when they migrated to Bangladesh. Some anti-

Muslim historians state that they were expelled by the Muslim

rulers of Mughal period from India and they took refuge in Bengal.

They are coming from Australia.

SETTLED & POPULATION

A good number of Oraons have settledinRANGPUR,

DINAJPUR,BOGRA,&RAJSHAHI districts.

The Census Reports of 1872-1881 will clearly illustrate their

distribution in the districts:

Districts 1872 A.D. 1881A.D.


Rajshahi 6,619 2,825

Rangpur 2,42 79

Bogra 1,67 4,22

Pabna 2,00 1,85

Dhaka 2 0

Faridpur 11 0

Mymensing 5 60

Chittagong 1 43

Noakhali 0 25

PHYSICAL STRUCTUR

In Anthropological classification the Oraons are to be placed

under pre-Dravidian races.The pointers are their black complexion,

flat nose, curly hair, round skull & medium height. These physical

features, Sir H.H.Risley said, No signs of Mongolian affinities

can be detected in the relative positions of the nasal & malar bones

, & average nasa-malar index for a hundred oraons measured on


the system recommended by Mr.Oldfieled Thomas Omens came to

113.6.”

CULTURE

They have some own culture. The Oraons reveal their

cultural life is a clear & vivid outline. Many tribal pockets have

been existing in Bangladesh from time immemorial. Their culture

steams have even infiltrated into the Hindu society. The oraons

observe this rite not only to have a child but also to raise farm

production. I have already mentioned that some features of tribal

culture have in filtrated into Hinduism. The Bhadu festival

observed by the Hindu virgins of West Bengal is very much akin to

Karam festival of the Oraons.Like the Karam or Kadam branches

they place the figure of Bhadu goddess in their Puja-mandap and

arrange songs & dances around the Bhadu.When the celebration is

over they immerse the Bhadu through similar song & dance.

Child marriage, though approved by religion,is strongly

discouraged, especially by the young generation. Unlike the

Santals they have on forced marriage.Though more then one

marriage is permissible, plurality of wives is not found. The


dorwyfor the first marriage is Tk. 125, for the 2nd marriage Tk. 250

&for the 3rd marriage Tk. 500.

RELIGION

There religion are Muslim,Hindu,Bhadu....etc.I have

already mentioned that some festures of tribal culture have in

filtrated into Hinduism.The Bhadu festival obseroved by the Hindu

virgins of West Bengal is very much akin to Karam festival of the

Oraons.Like the Karam or Kadam branches they place the figure

of Bhado goddess in their Puja-mandop & arrange songs & dances

around the Bhadu.When the celebration is over they immerse the

Bhadu through similar song & dance.

LANGUAGE

The Oraons speak Dravidian Oraon or Kurukh dialect. Below

is reproduced a few words from the kurukh dialect.


English Kurukh English Kurukh

I En Hand Hekha

We Em Leg Khed

You Nim Nose Moy

They Aab Mouth Bhoi

My Engai Tooth Pala

The Oraons of Bangladesh are at present making rapid

progeress. They are keen to spread education among themselves.

PROFESSION

They live on Jhum cultivation ,hunting. They hunt such as –

fish, dog ----- etc.


The Kurukh language admits some local variations. The

oraon language as spoken in different districts of Bangladesh is a

little different from what spoken in ranchi & chhota nagpur of

India.


THE SANTALS/SOANTAL

The origin of the word Santal is commonly believed that

their name has been derived from santal Pargana, the place of their

principal settlement.But anthropologist like Skrefsrud is of the

opinion that ‘Santal’ is derived from ‘soontar’ which is a title

given by the Bengalees to a group of people.The people came from

Australia.


The main pockets of their settlement in Bangladesh are

Chapal Nawwabganj sub-division of Rajshahi district & Birol,

Setabgang, Panchagarh & other locality of Dinajpur district.A few

remnants of their settlement are also traceable in Rongpur & Bogra

districts.Although the Santals were not enumerated under a

separate head in the Census of 1961, the number of Santals in


Bangladesh is by no means negligible. In 1931 the number of

Santals in the areas which now comprise Bangladesh was 7,96,656.

In 1941 the figure rose to 8,29,025. Hence their number rose by

more than 32,000 in the course of a decade.In 1981 the number of

Santals in areas which now comprise Bangladesh was estimated as

follows:

Districts Population

khulna 19

Jessore 55

Rajshahi 139

Dinajpur 6813

Rangpur 7

Bogra 252

Pabna 130

Chittagng 12

PHYSICAL STRUCTURE


In Bangladesh bear a close resemblance to the

Burmese,Malyan & Chinese in facial feature. They are dark

complexioned, flat nosed, thick-lipped, with curly hairs & medium

height.

LANGUAGE

The main deity of the Santals is the sun.They say they

have come from the land of Sun-rise.In their language are as

follows:

Hor means Man

Hopen means The Children

Thakur Jiu means The Spirit of God

English terms Santal terms Santal terms for

addressing them

Father Baba Eh ba

Mother Ayo Ayo

Uncle Hudin Baba Eh Hudin Baba

Aunt Hudin Ayo Eh Hudin Ayo


CULTURE

They regained consciousness realized that they were man &

woman. They also realized that they were unclothed.they were

feeling prudish & embarrassed.They were appeared God Thakur

Jir & taught them how to cloth themselvs.From now they learnt to

cover their body.When a boy reaches the age of twenty or near

about , he is marriet to 15 –16 years old girl.There are three types

of Santals marriages.There are-

Asli/DuarItut Sindur Bapla (Orthoedox

marriage, or Prajapatya marriage of the

Hindus).

Raja-Raji (Love marriage).

Hurkatara or Itut (Marriage by forcible

application of vermion).

RELIGION


There religion are Bhadu,Chirstian, Hindu.They prayed to the

Hill Gods(Marng Buru) or the great Mountain, “O Marang Buru,it

is becoming very difficult to cross over the mountainous

region.Please show us the path so that we can go over to another

land & offer to our puja to You.”

PROFESSION

The santals are an agriculturl community. Both men & women

work in the field.But the ploughing is done by men only as women

can not tend animals efficiently.But women to perform the task of

laying seeds & cropping.

The Santals are no exception & one is gratified to see them

even more inclined towards education.The Santals believe in

transmigration.They believe in svorog (Heaven),Norok (Hell).

THE RAJBANSIS

The aboriginal people of Bangladesh who claim to be the

offshoots of Hindus,the Rajbansis are one.Though they have


entered in to the faith of civilized religion like Hinduism at early

stage,sediments of primal believe have still lasted in their

unconseius mind & as a result they may be termed as primitive

people.


The Rajbansis live in the plains of Mymesings,Rangpur,

Dinajpur,Rajshahi & Bogra.During the Census of 1921.the total

number of Rajbansis in undivided Bengle was 17,27,111 & In

1931 the number increased to 18,06,393.In Bangladesh during the

Census of 1951 &1961 they have been included in the Hindu

religion & as result the exact number of Rajbansis could not be

gathered.But doubtless their number is increasing.

PROFESSION

They live on Agriculture, Fishing & Hunting.


LANGUAGE

The Rajbansis also speak corrupt Bengli.They have no script

of written from of their language.For example –

Jaya (to go)

Khaya (to eat)

Paya (to get)......etc

RELIGION

There religion are Hindu.In Rangpur they profess to be

Vaishnabas,While In Darjeeling where ,Tantric ideas are perhaps

more prevalent,their favourite goddes is arreged to be

Kali,Bisahari or Manasa,Garami,Tistu Buri,Humunan,Bindur

Tulsi or Rishi Kishto,Petham,Jogin,Hundum

Deo,Bahato,Balbhadra Thakur & Kura Kuri are mentioned as

among their minor gods.


CULTURE

In the house of the chief the nude women continue dancing

& singing ,thus invoking raln.Then they move to other house one

by one where the same rlte is repeated the male members having

evacuated.Divoce &Re-marriage of widow have also been

&adopted by the Rajbansi society.In case of re-marriage of a

widow ,her deseased husbund’s younger brother has the first

claim.In this case they have to perform a special ceremony.

THE KHASI / KHASIA

A beautiful landscape with hills & dales, woods & streams &

all the natural configurations has a tremendous appeal to one’s


aesthetic sense.The tribes of Garo hill are known as Garo, that of

Lushai Hill are Lushals,so Khasi is the name of the tribe living in

the hilly regions of Khasia.The original Khasi live in the Khasia –

Jainta hilly recesses of Assam.They came to Sylhet more than five

hundred years ago.


The number of Khasis in Sylhet is by no means

negligible.There were 4,901 Khasi in the whole sub – continent

most of them Sylhet according to census of 1901.The following

data are given in the census of 1901:

Districts Population

Sklhet 30,83

Cachhar 6,33

North Cachhar 32

Goalpara 14

Kamrup 3,91

Durang 10

Naogaon 29


Shibchar 62

Lakshmipur 22

Lushai Hill 77

Naga Hill 62

Garo Hill 1,17

Manipuri 69

PHYSICAL STRUCTURE

Their Physical construction & facial Features experts have

connected them with the Chinese &Burmese. They are fair-

complexioned, flat-nosed & of medium height & have small eyes

& thick ankles.

RELIGION

The religion of the Khasis may be described as animism or

spirit-worship, rather the propitiation of spirits, both good & evil,

on certain occasions, principally in times of trouble.


CULTURE

The khasis have their six clan system. They are as follows-

Viz

Panan

Bar

Bhui

Langdoh

Lingam

Their society system is solid. They can not marry with in the

clan.Their social structure is matriarchal. The question of marriage

comes up as soon as boys and girls come of age.The age-

reiationship is the reverse – the wife is older then the husband by

seven or eight years.Usually 18 years old boys are married to 25-

26 years old girls.The Muslims Khasi can not marry two sisters

togethwr


Though free-mixing is allowed among them, adultery is

seldom noticed. The punishment for adultery is heavy, sometimes

it may be an imprisonment for life or a fine of Tk.3000 to Tk. 5000

which is realisable on the spot.

LANGUAGE

The Khasis have their own dialect which is closely akin to

those of mon or Talaing, Khmer, Suk Stieng, Bahnar, Anam,

Khamen-Boram, Xong, Samre, Khmu, Lemet, Palaung & wa.

PROFESSION

Their profession is hunting. To killed any animal or bird

without first throwing rice over its body.


The Khasis burn their dead. Before burning ,the

dead is bathed with hot water kept handy in three earthen bowls.

THE MANIPURIS

The names of the places close to Manipur such as

Sematat,Kamrup,Dovoka are all inscribed on the pillar.But the

name Manipur is cons picious by its absence.In the ancient

documents of Assam the place was called Mughlai or Mughla.



The Manipuris too have settled in Sylhet.Sylhet district holds

the biggest Manipuri population.No separate scensus was takn of

them during the last cencus of 1961. As far as one can gather,the

present Manipuri populatin in Sylhet exceeds 30,000.

CUITURE

The Manipuries are divided into two groups, Vishnu Purias

& Meithei.They did not know the use of fira or iron.The Manipuris

love cleanliness,fact which becomes evident from their house,

furniture & utensils.They prefer living by the side of river.Water is

considered very sacred by them.Both man & woman work in the

field & transact business in the market.Their dresses are

simple.Male members wear dhutis and female members cover

themselves up to their breasts in Lungi.Recently Sari is becoming

popular among the elite.


Rice is their staple food.They can eat fish,but meat is a

taboo,they are meticulous about all their social & religios

ceremonies.

PROFESSION

Their profession are Agriculture,Livestock,cultivation &

music. They do the Jhum cultivation. They make their house,

furniture and utensils. They hunting fish only.

LANGUAGE

In the Manipuri dlalect Moi means ‘Man’ & Rang means

‘Unwived’ Moirang, therefore means a race of unwived,intrepid

warrlors.The Methei Monipuri languaage has remained unchanged

though time.There are as follows-

English Methei English Methei

I al One A-ma


We al-khol Two A-ml

He ma Three A-hum

RELIGION

The Manipuri’s religion are Hindu,Christianity.They have

Seven Gods.The seven Gods came down from heaven.There names

are Nang Maijing,Ning Thow Kab,Lei Paka Pako,Um Saike

Sa,Sagol Sel,Irai & Thangja.Siva asked Sree Krishna to get the

water drained & render the place suitable for a sport.Then Sree

Krishna with the help of ten gods.Mainly,Howaba

Shorarel,Marjing,Rangbrel,Khorikaba,IrumningThow,Thangjing,

Chinkehi,Ningthoi,LoiaLakpa,Nangsava&Kangba,meiromba

rendered the patch of land into a splendid arena of love

At present due to missionary drives many of the

primitive peoples are being comberted to Christianity.But the


Monipuris have always been holding their own.They are recieving

education in an increasing number-a contributory factor to the

rcness of their culture.


THE PANGONS

There are still traces of people who, while they profess

Islam, are thoroughly contaminated by social norms precepts of

some aborigines. The Manipurei Muslims of Sylhts of Assam

answer such a description.


In Bangladesh only Sylet districtcontains a noticeabie

population of the Manipuri –Muslims. These 6,000 Manipuri

Muslim of Sylhet(they number above 1,00,000 in Assam) can be

said to constitute a distinct group of people bearing some of the

physical features of the Manipuris tribe.


RELIGION

The pangons are now Muslim.The first fruit of a tree or

Feerni prepared from the grins of the first harvest will invariably

be taken the mosque on a Friday during Jumma prayer for

distributng to the namajis or prayees.they believe that this will

bestow braket or plenditured this custom evidnt among some other

trible Muslims as well.

PROFESSION

The pangons live on agriculture.While they meat,they have a

tendency extol vegetariansm.There most favourit vegetarian dish is

Utti,arecip made from pulses & Sunji,a kind of condiment.

CULTURE


The pangons are divided into two main groups

Inkhul Mayum(They have four

sub-groups: Kainao,Maiching,

Hajbom, & Ifan)

Khunja(They have three sub-

groups: Makkak, Auribam, &

Khulabam)

Like other tribal peoples of Bangladesh they don’t marry

within the calm.The Pangons believe that the nation marriage

between causins of blood relations are blessed with a rapid

increase of children.The dresses of Pangon women are similar to

those of Meithei Manipuri women.The mode of wearing saree is

exclusive to educated ladies. The more widely used garments are

Lungis, blouse & Orna. The menfolk with their Lumgis, &

shirts.They eat meat, most favorable dish is Utti, Sunji.


THE GARO

Mymensingh district is a store- house of scenic beauty and

natural as well anthropological curiosities.The primitive tribe of

this area is called Garo after Garo Hill.There are two main classes

among the Garos locally called Acssick or hill Garo & Lamdani of

plain Garo.

SETTLED

The Hill Garo live in parts thickly clothed with forest.The

Plain Garo live in places like

Nalitabari,Haluaghat,Durgapur,Kalmakanda,Sreebordi which lie at

the base of Garo Hill within Mymensing.Some Garos are also

found hilly sector of Medhupur in Tangail district.

CULTURE

The Garo have clan system.The Hill Garo have three clans:

Awe

Abeng

Dual


The plain Garos have also three clans.

Monin

Marak

Sangma

According to Major A.Playfair the clan system of the Plain

Garo are only a variation in mane from that of the Hill

Garo.Women is the chief of family but the male number of the

family have no share in it.They believe the Garo of the magic,

dance.

LANGUAGE

There language are as follows:

Language Means

Saljong The sun

Susime The moon

Naringro-Najingjo The star

Norechire-Kimorbokre The rain / The earth

Asima-Dingsima Susime’s mother


RELIGION

There religion are Hindu.There religion differences in accent

exist among the Garo as among the any other people.In this cause

owing to missionary deives many Garoes have been converted to

Cristianity.

POPULATION

The Garos live in Banladesh are far from negligibme in

number.During the last census of 1951 they mumbered 38,000.No

separate census was taken of them in 1961.As far as one can gather

the present Garo population in Mymensing & Tangail exceeds

50,000.


PROFESSION

The Garo are Agriculture based.Their religious rites &

festivals are connected with various phases of cultivation namely

clearing,showing,hervesting &storing.They are depend on only

agriculture.the main agriculture festivals are

Agalmaka,Gitchingpong,Michitata,Rangchugala,&Wangla.

Like the Chakmas,Tipras,Maghs,&Hajings, the Garos to burn

their dead.Just after the boy is placed in main rome of the

house.Besied the dead the rituals of food offerings sacrifice of a

chicken Hill.


THE HAGONGS

The hajongs was in Assam. As regards the facial feathers

they are successors to Kachari race of Goalpara district of Assam.

SETTLED


The bulk of the Hajong live in the plains of Birishiri ,

Sreebordi,Haluaghat,Nalitabri,Shushong,Durgapur,&Kalma

Kanda,at the Northern Sectoe of Mymehsingh close to Garo Hill.

CUITURE

Like other tribal people, they have clan system.There are

only two clans among the Hajongs:

Byabcharis

Paramarthis

They solemnly forswear beef & pork &what is more

remarkable,liquor the Hajong are less scrupulous about food &

drink &are akin to the Garo regarding social customs &

ritualisms.The Hajong are not feee from superstion.The custom of

worshipping the Brahmaputra every year with flower & sandal

wood is prevalent among the Hajongs as will.They weave their

cloth.They embroider their cloth with flower & other beautiful

objects.It may rightly be called that the primitive society is a

prognitor of folk-culture.


PROFESSION

The Hajongs,an agricultural people,have shown remarkable

proficiency in the various skills & arts.

RELIGION

The Religion of the Hajongs is enfluenced by the Hindues of

Shivite interpretapation & they pay homage to all deities of the

caste Hindues.Indeed,their faith & religion have many common

points with Hinduism.The Hajongs say that in the beginning there

was only water all around before the universe was creation.

POPULATION

During the census of 1951,the Hajong numbered 30,000

LANGUAGE


In the Hajong language the transltion rums as follow-Ekjun

mangala duida pula thakibar,Ekjan hota aar alak dargn. In

Bengali il runs:Ekjn manusher duita chhele chhilo, ekjn chota aar

ekjan bara.

Many of their tribal beliefs are giving way before the march

of education.No doubt it marks a stage in their progress from tribal

antiquity.

THE MAGHS

The Maghs of the Chittagong Hill Tracts & Cox’s Bazar

sub-division have orginally come from the Arakan State.



The majority of the Maghs live in the Bangladesh district

in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.A few pockets of other settlement

are also found in the Cox’s Bazar sub district of Chittagong

district & some villages of Khepupara police station of

Patuakhali districts.The Marma(spme times called Maghs)are

divided in two groups,one in Mong Circle with about 40,000

persons,& the other in Bomong Circle with about 50,000

person.

CULTURE

Each of the two groups has own king.For the Northern

group must of whom belong to the palengsa clam,he is the

chief of Mong Circle.For the Southrun group must of home

belong to Rigryrsa clam,he is the chief the Bomong Circle.The

Maghs do not take a wife from a different teribe.But if a

Maghs girl marries a boy of another tribe of her own accord

than it is not condemned & no action is taken against the

girl.Rice & liquor are their main food & drink.In smoking they


also favour the cheroot & some of them are addicted to

opium.Their dress is very simple.The womenfolk wear Lungi

& Enijyee,something like that of blouse.The menfolk wer

Lungi & Shirt & goungboung or tarban around their

heads.Besides,the women were various kinds of

ormaments,mostly made of silver.

RELIGION

The Maghs is a forgotten Bengali word which originated

form Magadh the birthplace of Lord Buddha.As the Maghs

were Buddhist the appellation was given to them.But this

theory over looks the fact that the Chakmas were also

Buddhists & yet did not acquire the name Magh.

PROFESSION


The Maghs are agriculture-based.Their system of

cultivation is jhuming.Both man & woman work in the

field.The Magh-men are generally lazy & easeloving & in

most cases of domestic affairs they drpend on womenfolk.

LANGUAGE

There Language called Maghi.Is akin to Arakaness.It is a

fact that there language is of Nurmese origin.Here are some

words & simple sentence out of their dialect:

English Maghi English Maghi

One Tait Dog Kha-ne


Two Hait Cow No-aa

Three T-son Man Lo

Four Le Water Re

Simple sentence are as follows:

English Maghi

Where is your home? Ma jaga chaley?

What is your name? Ma name jaley?(masculine).

Na namey jaley?(Feminine).

My name is Aproma. Na namey aproma,(faminine)

I love you. Mai tahirey

Like the Chakmas they also born their dead.There education

system are mordern,better than other tribrs peoples.


THE MURANGS

The Murangs are not autochthones of natives of the

Chittagong Hill Tracts.The word Murong derives from the

Trippera dialect & this term is only applicable to a sept of the

Tripperas which means clan.

SETTLRED & POPULATION

The Murangs generally live in the Banderban district of

the Chittagong Hill Tracts.At one time they were Inhabintants

of Arakan.In the census of 1901 their stood at 10,540.In 1951-

1961 there population stood at 70,000.In 1991 There

population was 25,000(B.B.S Bandorban)

CULTURE


The Marangs have clan system & the names of most of

their clans have a meaning in the Tippera dialect.There are five

clans,such as:

Dengua(plantain tree)

premsang(cockscomb plant)

Konglai(wild plantain tree)

Maizer(jack tree) &

Ganaroo Gnar(the mango tree)

Oreng Puja start in the month of Srabon when it is time for

Jhum cultivation.On the day fixed for puja man & woman gather at

the bank of river which must be filled to the brink on account of

the season & there they start the puja killing a cow.Alongside they

also kill cock & hen of odd number.Song ,dance & drinking are

indispensabte part of the ceremony.Rice is the main food & wine

the main drink.They brew their own wine.A fuller menu also

included meat got from animals like Tiger,Dog,Goat,Pig,Cow &

Other livestock.

PROFESSION


The Murangs live on produce from land but the way of

cultivation known to them is jhum farming.The system is very old

& is continuing from the remotest past.A fuller menu also includes

meat got from animals like tiger,dog,deer,boar etc.They prepare

thrir own use cheroot from tamak & drink from rice.

RELIGION

The Murangs claim to be the followers of Buddhist from

their beliefs & religious rites.It is presured that their religion is

nothing but animistic.They revere Turai with all their heart but all

Pujas &devotions aredirectd to a deity named Oreng.Orengs Puja

staets in the month of Sraban when it is tine for Jhum cultivation.

On the day fixed for Puja men and women gather at the bank of a

river.And they were started the Puja by killing a cow.

LANGUAGE

The Murangs speak an oral dialect which has no script or

written character whatever, Owning to superstition they do not


encourage other tribes to learn their dialect nor do they lean other’s

dialect. Here are some words from their dialect:

English Murangs English Murangs

One Lok Village Kua

Two Pre House Keem

Three Som Window Dunglopat

Four Ta- Jee Wall Kimbang

Some simple sentences are as under:

Murang English

A ang nau khee en I love you

Aang nau khee en dal I don’t like you

En nau khee en ba Do you like me?

En cha mun ya? How many sons you have?


The Murang can be said to have clung most resolutely to

their antiquarian system. There are some tribes whom even the

modern scientific civilization could not erode or change. The

Murangs are one such tribe. They are curiously frozen in time.

THE TIPRAS

The word “Tipra” derives from Tripura. But some experts

have maintained that the word originated from the name of Tripur,

a king in Kirat. In the Tipra dialect tui means water and pra means

dominance. Tuipra or ruler of water. This word Tuipra gardually

changed into Tipra.


SETTELED & POPULATION

The Tipras are one of the few notable tribes of the Chittagong

Hill Tracts. Their main settlement is in Rangamati sub-division,

though their remnants are scattered throughout the district. The

number of Tipras in the Chittagong Hill Tracts was once a legion

and their settlement dotted the entire district.In 1991 there

population was more than 70,000.(B.B.S Bandorban, Rangamati

&Khaghrachory district).

RELIGION

The commonest totem names are those of the prominent

animals including several which are held sacred by the Hindus, as

Bagh or nahar, the tiger; bachas, the calf ; morkuria, the peacock;

Kachwaha or Limun, the tortoise; nagas, the cobra; hasti, the

elephant; bandar, the monkey; bhainsa, the buffalo; richharia, the

bear; Khulia, the jackal; Kawayal, the deer; Heron, the black duck

and so on.


Mailung Ma Puja. This puja has a good deal of resemblance

with that of the Ratek of the Chiru and Kohien clans of the Kukis.

Hakama Puja. This puja is rendered to propitiate the goddess

of that wood so that they may not face any danger at the time of

hunting and collecting firewood.

Khulumru puja. This rendered to propitiate the goddess of

cotton fro abundant supply of her crops.

Bursar Puja or puja the god of woods. This puja rendered so

that jhum cultivation in the dense forest can be safe from the fear

of wild attacks.

PROFESSION

In Tripura there are two kinds of fertilizing system- “joom”

and “by hoe”. In the plain land there is hoe fertilzing system

mainly. But now a days many people are involve with work of

factory as labor.


CULTURE

A brass eating bowl containing gold, silver, paddy, dried rice,

durba grass etc. Sometimes it happens that a boy and girl fall in

love with each other but the parents pay no heed to their union. In

such cases the boy and girl perform their marriage themselves.

This sort of marriage is called Hingnani in Tipra dialect. The boy

and girl are called Kanja and Kanji, respectively in Tipra dialect.

The Tipras have very few divorcees. When some one prefers a

divorce he has to show reasons for it. Then either of the spouses

who is judged to be the offender is required to pay a fine, of Tk. 30

to Tk. 100 for securing a divorce. Child marriage is rare among

them.

Their dresses are simple. The men wear a thick turban known

as Khawang and dhuti. The women, very much like the chakmas,

wear Pindhan, a short red and white stripped petticoat, reaching a

little below the knee. Both men and women wear silver ear-rings

shaped like a crescent.


LANGUAGE

The Tipra have their own dialect. It is called Hallami. The

Hallami is an oral language and it has no written character.

English Tipra English Tipra

Bird Tuksa One Kisa

Boat Rung Two Kunu

Buffalo Mashi Three Katam

Cow Matsa Four Barol

Some simple sentences are as follows:

English Tipra

What is your name? Nim mo tum aa?

Are you married? Vhi man dey?

Give me rice. Mai re di.

Give me water. Ti re di.


Tipra is the third tribe citizen of Chittagong. They are also

called tibia, marmera, tuitke etc. Their first-born place is in Tripua

of India.

THE PANKHOS & THE BANJOGIS

The pankhos & the Banjogis too are not the natives of the

soil- or aupochthones of the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Anthropologists believe that all the aborigines have entered the

suv-continent from out side and the Pankhos & the Banjogis can

not be exceptions.


The Pankhos & Banjogis are live in Rangamati district

Northern & Southern area(Field visitor 1999-2000 Sattar’1983).In

1991 there population was 3,227(B.B.S Rangamati district) But

now we know that there population in 3,000.


RELIGION

The Pankhos & the Banjogis claim themselves to be

Buddhists but the religios rites & ceremonies observed by them are

strikingly different from those pescribed by Buddhism.The

Pankhos & Banjogis believe that patyen is the control of the

world.But now most of them are Chirstian.They beliene in megic.

CULTURE

The Banjogis, bath man & woman tie up their hair in the

form of a coiffure raised at the centre of the head.The Pankhos on

the other hand wear long hair their coiffures hang at the back of

their head,just like the hair style of the women of our countey.The

young men & women also use black hair band & false hair to give

a enlarged shape to their coiffure.

Their dresses are very simple.The women cover themself

with a Pidhan, as the Chakma women do & wrap their breasts wth

a piece of a cloth.They themselves make their cloth.


Rice is their principal food & wine the principal drink.They

very much relish meat. There is no animal whose meat they do not

eat avidly except that tiger & cheetah are tabss much to the delight

of our game preservationists.

LANGUAGE

Their Language are as follows:

English Pankho Banjogi

I Kei ma,kei Kei ma kei

You Nang ma Nang ma nang

This Hi Hi hi

Your Nang ma ta Nang ma ta

That Ho Ho ho

They live in Jhum cultivation,Hunting.THe Pankhos &

Banjogis are a notable exeption & have retained their pristine

ldentity.Theyu are as new timeless & originalas ever.


THE SHENDUS

The Shendus unfortunately are still an Impenetrable tribe,

hardened in primitive customs with no open frontiers.They can

only be found in the groovs of forests,far removed from any settled

locality.In Bangladesh their live in Bandorban district South-East

Shangu-Reserve forest area.

PHYSICAL STRUCTURE

The Shendus are fair-complexoned with thick & strong heels

small eyes & flattened nose.They are too much bright.


CULTURE

Boys & girls are married off a soon as come of age.Generally

guardians have absolut power over marriage.But marriage by

consent is not altogether absent.Their marriage rite is nothing but a

celebration by marry feasting & dancing.Song & dance are

indispensable part of their religion.

Rice is their principle food,& wine the peinciple drink.They

take meat of all animals.It is said that also relish cannibalistic

diets.They preserve meat of deat animals by pickling.

They remain barely covered.Men Wear loin-cloth &women

do no more then hide the private part of their boy.

PROFESSION

The Shendus live by Jhum cultivation.They select a suitable

patch in the forest for jhum cultivation along the slope of a


mountain.Then they deply their entire working force including

women & old men to clear the forest .The Men & women , boys &

girls, old & young,all rush to the farm with seeds of various

vagetable.

LANGUAGE

Their language is oral,without any script or written from.

While the language of the

Murang,Tipra,Banjogi,Pankhos,Lushai,Kuke etc,have points of

similarities.The shendus language is entirely different,it base no

relation to other trible language & its source & derivation are hard

to discover.

The Shendus are very difficult to study because they are

thoroughly inward-looking,changeless & uncomm-unicative with

the modern world.Their symbols are just another evidence of their

self-enforced Isolation.


THE KHUMIS

In khumi dialect kha means ‘men’ & mi denotes ‘best’.They

are,therefore, khamis, that is man belong to the ‘best race’.May be

that the word khami has been transformed in to khumis.In the

Arakan language khe means ‘dog’ & mi denots ‘race’.


In Bangladesh they live in only Bandorban district Southern

area & Chittagong Hill Tracts.The number of Khumis in

Chittagong Hill Tract is far minuscule.Accordinf to the census of


1993 their number was 1,616. No separate census was taken of

them during 1951 and 1961. As far as one can gather, the present

Khumis population in he Chittagong Hill Tracts is anywhere

between two & four thousand.

PHYSICAL STRUCTURE

The kuumis are far-complexioned,with thick & strong

heels,small eyes & flattened nose.Besis like Maghs & Pankhos

they are hairless.

CULTURE

The khumis are divided into twenty two clans.There clans are

as follows:awa khumi, afi-akhumi, Awa-khumis,Ahraingkhumis

etc.They live in dressless.The women cover themselves with 6-8

inch cloth.Butthey do not use any extra cloth to cover their breasts.

Men covered themselves with lengti. Both Men & women wear

long hair.


Like the Murangs of the Chittagong Hill Tracts the Khumis

too, do not allow marriage in the same clan.Their syestem of

marriage is almost similar of the Murangs.

Rice & drink are the main food of the Khumis. They distil

their own wine. Wine is indispensable part of their cultural life that

is form worships to household affairs.They take meat of animals

like tiger, dear, cow, dogs etc.

RELIGION

The Khumi do the natural woreship.Their religion are

Buddhism.They belives & religios rites they are nothing but

animist.

The woreship of Nadag is mainly offered in expectation of

better yields from jhum cultivation.It is also offered in the hope

that theymay be keep god health all the year around & not in

danger in any.Nadag puja also celebrated before harvesting.


LANAUAGE

Their language is Oral, without any script or written rorm.

Their language are as follows –

Nam pui hui na na-i - means -

Good women.

Khami-patai - means - Big

man.

Kaba- payai - means - Big

river,etc.

Nung-e-ung muse amimo -

means - What is your name?

etc.

Repreduced some words from Khumi dialect.

Khumi English


Ha One

Ni Two

Hna Three

Tui Water

Oi-nu Mother

PROFETION

Some Khomis people do the Jhum cultivation. Majority

people do the hunting.

Like their speech the Khumis themselves, their lives, society

& ethos, Are timeles &bogged in the penumber of primal

superstitions, with all the monstrosities of pre-scientific quietude

but few of the enchantments of woodland fantasy.

THE CHAKMAS

The genesis & evolution of the Chakmas is a question that

would naturally arouse our curiosity.Until we have The genesis &

evolution of the Chakmas is a question that would naturally arouse


our curiosity Until we have the whole truth about the origin

unsettled. Colonel Phayre holds the opinlon that the Chakmas were

once settlers of Burms. The Chakmas and other tribes in old days

were undoubtedly inhabitants of Arakan.


In Bangladesh , they live in Bandorban & Rangamati district

& Chittagong Hill Tracts area.

PHYSICAL STRUCTURE

The Chakma is of medium of stature thick-set build with fair

comlexionad,a cheerful,honest looking face.Physically they are

fine specimen of manhood then the Magh.

CULTURE


The Chakma’s has forty six clans.They called gojha or guni

means clans.The clan are as follows:

Larma

Poa

Fema

Babura

Bung

Ang

Naran

Amu

Leba

Boga......etc

They have king system.The Chakma king Sher Daulat

Khan was devotee of islam & dedicated himself in all

seriousness to the Marefatt system of islamic meditation.it is

said that he had acquired so much power from the spiritual

exercise that he was able to take out his own entrails,cleanse

them in water & put them back in their places.


The Chakma being all their religious activities with

Sthapatya puja or Foundation rite which means the worship

of forces r oworship of nature.It is believed Basumati

(Mother Earth),Chungulang(Personified as the god of

heaven) & Parameswari(the celestial nature)-these three

elements have combined to produce the art.

The Chakma perform the pujas of Chungulang &

Perameswari at a time.This pujas may be performed for

getting a child marriage building a house or in creasing

harvest or for any ther gain or growth.

Other important Chakma rites & rituals apart from

Chungulang are Bishu, Wasu, wagya, Maghi

Purnima,Chakrabuha,Dharmakam,Vadya etc.The Chakma

also share with Siva puja ,Kali puja,Lakhmi puja ,&

Nabagraha puja.


Charabuha puja is celebrated to the full-moon of the month

of Baisakh,Asarh,& Aswin.

The vadya puja of the Chakmas is a Combination of

belief in transmigration & ancestor woreship.Vadya means

serving rice.

For marriage purposes they will bring partners from

outside the clans.They have some rules,they can’t marry their

cousin & wife’s elder sister.

PROFESSION

At the middle of the four sidedpedestal a clod of earth

is placed. The earth must be scooped from a sacred place

which must be under Jhum cultivation. A few ears of

paddy,cotton,& few flowers are stuck in the middle of the

clay lump. This lump of earth represents the field under Jhum

cultivation.Some people related to fish hunting.In this time

they are too much educated.


LANGUAGE

The language of this book is not understood tody &

they are written in the Chakmas alphabet is shows similarities

to shan & earlier Burmese alphabet.E.g:- Burmese- nissayas

or Sinhalese- sanneyas.

RELIGION

There was a reaction toward Hinduisn which in later

years was very largely over thrown by Buddhuism.A survival

of Buddhism in Chittagong district & living in proper

Chittagong Hill Tracts. The Mughals extended their

conquests to Chittagong Hindu settlers from Bengal poured

in large number & founded Chaksala. In 19th century Hindu’s

religion are forgotten . The Buddhists, they bear a distinct

Muslim influence in their social norms.


The culture of the Chakmas has indubitably gone to

enrivh the Bengely folk literaty.There are many tribes in the

Chittagong Hill Tracts which lack this culture dynamism.In

the Chakma society the elements of Islam,Hinduism &

Christianty have interaced.Each successive influence has

relived & replenished the strengst of Chakma culture. That

means the Chakma do have the vitality needed for a culture

take-off.

THE MARMA


The Marma Ethnic people well-known Mogh or Magh .Mogh

means Water-robber.They are coming from Arakan.In the Middle

age Arakan water-robber well known the Mogh.


They live in Chittagong Hill Tracts,

Bandarban, Rangamati ,Khaghrachori .In 1991 The Barma people

1,42,334.But their population are 2,00,000(B.B.S Bandarban,

Rangamati,Khaghrachori)

RELIGION

There religion are Buddha.They do the Worship.Marma puja

such as:-Khangshang,Ingny,Abosha,Khia,Reny.....etc.

CULTURE


They have king system.One main respectable people always

maintain the relation between Marma’s king & Marma’s

people.Their main festival is Shangtry.They have some marriage

rules.Such as:When any Girls16 years old & any boys 19 years old

then they muus be marry.

PROFESSION

The Marma live in Agricultura & Jhum Cultivation.Some

people Collected Flower, Food, bamboo, Wood.But now Some

people do the food cultivation such as Banana, Jack fruit....etc.

Now Marma;s have their own language,Their Own Mondir

Provide their language education.They have many song, dance, &

music elementsSuch as:

i. Tra –Romantic sons

ii. Sakhra-Sad song

iii. Chinui dance- Marriage dance.


THE LUSHAI

Lushai, the Chakma called fugi ,the Marma called langi &the

Trippra called Shikam.Lu means Head & Shai means

breakdown.They like fighting & live on deep forest.


A few Lushai people are live on Bangladesh.Only they live

on Rangamati Marjoram district.In 1981 there population was

1,098,In 1991 there population was 6,62 but now there population

was5,25.

CULTURE


The Lushai people like eat meet suchas : Elephant,

Monkey,Deer,Dog, Pig.......etc. Sometimes they eat dead animal

meet.Now their Language & culture are developed.Their dresses

are looking western culture.Some people leave their forest life &

start their education.

RELIGION

Now their religion are Christian.The Lushai people beleive

many goddes.Now their marriage system maintain the Chirstian

marriage rules.

LANGUAGE

They have own language. They are not written form for their

language. They have many song, dance, & music elementsSuch as:


Menucot (that song for Jhum cultivation,

when they do the Jhum cultivation).

Chapachr (that song for crops cutting, wthen

they are cut Jhum crops).

The Lushai people live on Jhum cultivation.They have many

food garden.Their sub-profession are hunting.


THE KHYANG

In 19th century Khyang people live on Arakan Ru-Ma-Tong

Hill Tracts area.They came from Tibbat & Myanmar.


They live on Khaghrachori,Rangamati,Bandorban district

(Roangchori,Thanchi,&Nykhangchory).In 1991 there population

was 1950 – 2000.

CULTURE

Their Socil structure & dresses like Chirstian & western

culture.They believe two goddes.Such as Patian & Khujing.The

khyang people believe that Patian created earth.He live Western


area. On the other hand Khujing protect The khyang people.They

are not any good work or marriage in Saturday or Tuesday.

RELIGION

The Khyan’s religion are Buddha & Chirstian.They d the

worship. When they do the puja than they killed animal & use egg.

They live on jhum cultivation & they have many food

garden.Their education system are so much undeveloped.

THE CHAK

Chak means standup.The chak came from Tibbat &

Myanmar. Chak, Arakan called chak or minkchak (Trippra ,1994).



They live in Bandarban Hill Tracts area only. In 1991 their

population was 2040. And in 2001 their population was 2500 –

3000 (B.B.S Bandarban).

CULTURE

The Chak divided mainly two groups. One another Anthro

and another one Charack. In thiis two groups have many sub-

calns. The Anthro calns such as – ara, anong, pamo ------etc. The

Charack calns such as – utala, chankaji, chankibank -------etc.

They do the worship. Every Chak village have a Buddha

momdre. The Chak people beleive many goddes.

RELIGION

There religion are Buddha.They do the Worship & puja .


PROFESSION

The Chak live in Agricultura & Jhum Cultivation.Some

people Collected Food, bamboo, Wood. Some people hunting fish.

LANGUAGE

The Chak have own language, songs, dances.There are as

follows –

Ape, Atha, Singthy -------- etc – that means

dance.

To, Ratha ------ etc – that means language.


€¦ · web viewthesis paper. on. ethnic people of bangladesh. submitted by. . bangladesh is a...

Documents