Chittagong Hill Tracts: Ethnic and Cultural Diversity Chittagong Hill Tracts (once an independent land, now under the colonial occupation of Bangladesh) is the traditional home to the 11 different indigenous ethnic groups who collectively identify themselves as the Jumma indigenous people. The generic term Jumma has been derived from jum, agricultural firming in hilly slopes in a very unique style. The 11 ethnic groups of the Jumma indigenous people are (in alphabetical order): The Chak, the Chakma, the Bawm, the Khiyang, the Khumi, the Lushai, the Marma, the Mro (Murung), the Pankho, the Tanchangya and the Tripura Officially, Bangladesh does not recognize the distinct identity and culture of the Jumma indigenous people. It does not even acknowledge the existence of any indigenous peoples in the country. Its reason is purely political: ethnic cleansing of these indigenous ethnic groups through Bangladeshi demographic invasion or settlement of Bangladeshi settlers in CHT and integration of their identity and culture with the majority people of Bangladesh. CHT is a land of cultural diversity and treasure. This cultural diversity and treasure belonging to Bangladesh can only be preserved, protected and promoted if autonomy for these indigenous ethnic groups within the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Bangladesh is recognized. Pic 1: Bowm indigenous women with their traditional dress and ornaments. Pic 2: Chakma indigenous girls with their traditional dress and ornaments. Pic 3: Marma indigenous women with their traditional dress and ornaments. Pic 4: Tripura indigenous women with their traditional dress and ornaments.
Posted on: Fri, 24 Oct 2014 08:11:37 +0000
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