By Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain
As the bearers of their own lifestyle and invaluable culture and values, developed in a deep connection
with nature and soil, indigenous peoples are an integral part of world civilization. Due to their history,
diverse lifestyle and unique existence, indigenous society and culture are considered an eternal asset of
human history. Bangladesh is no exception, where for ages, numerous small ethnic groups have
maintained their glorious existence alongside the mainstream people.

The original origin of the word 'indigenous' around the world is from the Latin 'indigena', which has a
deep underlying meaning of being a primitive inhabitant born in a particular territory. More than four
hundred and seventy-six million indigenous people spread across about 90 countries around the world
have enriched human civilization by giving birth to thousands of different languages.

The history of indigenous peoples in Bangladesh is very ancient and directly related to deep territorial
roots. Long before the arrival of the Aryans or other outsiders, the ancestors of ethnic groups like Santal,
Garo, Chakma or Marma settled in this township from ancient times, centered around the forests and
hills.

Traditionally, the small ethnic groups of Bangladesh have been governed by matriarchal or patriarchal
family structures, traditional jumu farming systems and their own judicial customs.

Over time, the impact of modern education, globalization and economic transformation has brought
about a huge change in the lives of the indigenous people of Bangladesh. The current young generation
is successfully contributing to modern institutional education, government and private jobs and national
politics.

The three hill districts of Chittagong division—Rangamati, Khagrachari, and Bandarban—are home to
the Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Mro, Tanchanga, Bam, Khumi, Khiang, Pankhoya, and Lusai tribes, whose
main religions are mainly Buddhism and Christianity, and according to the latest census, the population
of this hilly region is about 800,000. The diverse settlements of these tribes can be observed in various
remote and picturesque tribal neighborhoods such as Faruk Para or Sualak Para in Rangamati Sadar,
Dighinala in Khagrachari, and Ruma and Thanchi upazilas of Bandarban.

The first social greeting of the Chakmas of the Chittagong Hill Tracts is 'Ju Ju' and the first sentence of
the Marmas 'Namaskar'or 'Aingaba'. The main festival of these tribal groups is Baisabi, which is a
combination of the 'Baisu' of the Tripuras, the'Shangrai' of the Marmas and the 'Biju' of the Chakmas,
where water festivals and traditional dances are organized. The traditional dance of juju cultivation on
the plains and hill slopes, the flute tunes of the Mrods, the diverse culture of woven cloth, the Wagyoai
Poe or the lamp lighting festival are also unique examples.

The four districts of Sylhet division—Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, and Sunamganj—are home to the
Khasia, Manipuri, Patra, and Santal tribes, whose religious beliefs are mainly traditional nature worship
and Christianity, and whose population is about one lakh. Their main settlements are in the tribal
neighborhoods of Sreemangal, Kamalganj, and Magurchhara Punji or Madhabpur in Gowainghat upazila
of Sylhet.

The first greeting of the Khasia is ‘Khublei’, and for the Manipuris, it is ‘Khurumjari’. The Raslila and
dance of the Manipuris of this division are appreciated all over the world, which are celebrated every
year centering on the love affairs of Radha and Krishna. The annual festival of the Khasia is ‘Khasi Seng
Kut Snem’, the worship of nature, and folk music in their own language, and the main social cultures
revolve around the drinking of betel leaves and the matriarchal social system.

The Garo, Hajong and Koch tribes live in Sherpur, Netrokona and Mymensingh districts of Mymensingh
division, most of whom are Christians and believers in traditional religions and number about 150,000.
They are settled in various border tribal villages such as Achik Para in Durgapur of Netrokona, Nalitabari
of Sherpur and Haluaghat upazilas of Mymensingh.

The main greeting of the Garos is 'Mitchela' and the first word of the Hajongs is 'Namaskar'. The main
religious and social festival of the Garos is 'Wangala', which is basically a grand festival to express
gratitude to the sun god or Saljang after the new harvest. The traditional 'Deuli' festival, weaving and
unique practice of matriarchal family values of the Hajongs have enriched Bangladesh.

The Natore, Naogaon and Rajshahi districts of Rajshahi division are mainly inhabited by the Santal,
Oraon, Munda and Malo tribes, who are mainly converted to traditional nature worship and Christianity
and their population in this region is about two lakhs. Their main migration can be seen in the Santal
paras of Patnitala, Niamatpur of Naogaon and Godagari upazila of Rajshahi.

The traditional first greeting of the Santals is 'Johar' and the greeting of the Oraons is 'Ram Ram'. The
main festivals of the Santals in this plain region are 'Sohrai' and 'Baha', which are mainly celebrated with
great joy to mark the arrival of spring and to show respect for cattle. The traditional 'Karam' festival of
the Oraons and the Jhumur dance of the Santals have added a great diversity and ethnographic
dimension to the folk culture.

The Santal, Oraon and Rajbangshi tribes live in Dinajpur, Gaibandha and Rangpur districts of Rangpur
division, whose main religion is Sanatan and Christianity and the population is more than one lakh thirty
thousand. The people of this community have been living in Nawabganj, Ghoraghat and Gobindaganj
upazilas of Dinajpur and Gaibandha for ages.

The first mutual greeting or greeting of the Rajbangshi and Santal tribes is 'Seba' or 'Joha'. The main
part of the culture of the Santal and Oraon tribes of Rangpur is the 'Karam' worship associated with
sowing and harvesting crops and the combination of traditional trumpets and musical instruments. The
bamboo worship in unity with nature and their folk songs, hunting festivals, primitive lifestyle and
culture in the Teesta-Brahmaputra basin have enriched North Bengal.