Ethnicity and Demography of

Bangladesh
ETHNICITY AND DEMOGRAPHY
• BUDDIHISTS, HINDUS,MUSLIMS,
CHRISTIANS AND ETHNIC GROUPS
• CONGLOMERATION OF VARIOUS
RACES OF PEOPLE
• RISE OF POPULATION
• POPULATION –ASSET OR THREAT
 ETHNIC COMMUNITY OF
BANGLADESH
There are many indigenous people in Bangladesh and
each of them has its own glorious culture. The cultural
inheritance of these people is the greatest asset of
Bangladesh which could be preserved and developed
through global connection. The indigenous people or as
they are also called the ethnic communities live in
different parts of the country but
HILL TRACTS
Images of ethnic People
ETHNIC GROUP
 ANIMIST
• mostly in the north and north east of the
country. Though they have commonness
in their culture but some differences are
also present even within the same clan.
One common feature among most of the
indigenous people is that they are animist.
These people have commonness with the
Himalayan and Mongolian ranges of
people.
 Language

• The important indigenous peoples of Bangladesh are

Chakmas, Manipuris, Santals, Oraons, Garos, Murong,
Khasia, Magh, Kuki, Tipras, Hajang etc. Each of them
has its own language. However, over the time some of
the languages have disappeared and some of the
languages are also threatened. Most of the indigenous
people have accepted Bangla as their language. The
languages of these people are the intangible cultural
heritage of Bangladesh and they need to be safeguarded
and preserved. Oraon , Chakma, Garo, Magh, Manipuri,
Munda, Hajang, Tipra and other languages are spoken
by a large number of people. However, except for
Chakma and Magh, no other indigenous language has a
S c r i p t . .
Santali Language
 LIFE STYLE
• There are also folk literature among the
indigenous languages ‘consisting of poems and
songs, fairy tales and legends of their past
nomadic life.’ (Banglapedia, p. 211 ).
• Life Style
• The indigenous peoples of Bangladesh have a
colorful life style and they are engaged in
various professions and crafts. Many of them are
engaged in agriculture and they have special
notion about land which
LIFE STYLE
ETHNIC PEOPLE
Festivity
 VARIOUS RITUALS
• they considered as mother. Hence they
respect the land very much and observe
various rituals during the preparation,
sowing and reaping of the harvest. Men
and women together work in the field. In
farming, the women play a significant role
as they are considered as symbols of
fertility.
 Religion

• Except some members of the indigenous

peoples most of them do not have any religion
but follow their ancient beliefs, rites and
customs. However, even this is gradually
disappearing and the indigenous peoples are
accepting new religion particularly Christianity.
Therefore, it is urgent that these ancient rites,
beliefs and customs should be safeguarded and
preserved as intangible cultural heritage of the
indigenous peoples and for that matter of
Bangladesh.
Ethnic Group
LIFE STYLE
 Festivals

• Dancing and singing are the most common and

important features of the cultural life of the
indigenous peoples. These are also parts of
various festivities. Gopi dance of the Manipuris
for example, is very popular which celebrates
the love of Radha and Krishna. Holy is also
common among many indigenous peoples when
they throw and smear color among each other.
Festivals are held on various occasions when
Festivals
 Songs and Dances
• Many of those songs and dances together
with musical instruments are intangible
cultural heritage of the country. As these
are facing extinction they must be
protected.
Dancing
 Wedding

• Wedding is also very colorful occasion though there are many

differences in the rites of various groups. However, the marriage
takes place mostly on the basis of love matches, the boy and girl get
to know each other before wedding through various means.
Marriage generally takes place within the same tribe. There are
some common rituals before marriage like Panchini or confirmation
of the wedding, and Gaye Halud or using turmeric paste on the
bodies of both groom and bride. Songs are rendered on the day of
wedding. Where the wedding takes place a colorful pandle is set up
and in it the bride and groom go through a number of rituals. At this
time special songs are rendered and music played. Special foods
are offered in the names of gods during the wedding ceremony to
bring blessings for the couple. The bride and groom wear special
dresses on the wedding day. Sumptuous feasts are arranged to
mark the wedding.
WEDDING
 DRESS
• Various formalities are also observed after the wedding especially
visiting the in-laws’ houses. Divorce is generally not allowed but if it
takes place various formalities are observed.

• Dress

• The male and female of the indigenous people wear very colorful
dresses. In the past the dresses however, were simple and some
people used to wear tree leaves to cover only the lower parts of the
body. The main garment of the male members of the Chakma
people is Lungi or skirt worn with a shirt. Their women counterpart
wear a red and black dress called Pindhan plus a blouse called
Silum. However, these traditional dresses are gradually
disappearing and people are wearing modern dresses.
Garo Girls
 Ornaments and cosmetics

• The women of the indigenous people wear

different ornaments and use cosmetics to
beautify them. Bangles and anklets are
used as well as coin earrings and
necklaces. These ornaments are not
gaudy but simple, and are locally
manufactured.
 Food and Drink

• The indigenous people take various kinds

of food including animal meat. Some of
them like the Chakmas and the Maghs
take sour food. Alcohol which is prepared
of fermented rice is the most favorable
drink of the indigenous people. They are
also fond of smoking.
FOOD
 Society

• The indigenous peoples are matriarchal

peoples, and hence men do not inherit property.
The female dominate the family structure. They
follow various social rites and strictly maintain
certain disciplines. Adultery is condemned and
pre-marital sex ends in marrying such couples.
• The indigenous peoples also follow various
social rituals with the birth of a baby before and
after. They believe in evil spirits and hence take
precautions to avoid harming the new baby.
SOCIETY
 DANCE
• The indigenous peoples also dance on
occasions of various religious festivals and other
events like births, marriages and deaths. There
are varieties of dances and each is performed in
unique manner and with different styles and
gestures. Like the bamboo dance of the
Chakmas known as ‘Cheralum ‘ is very
popular. Lushais and Kukis of the Chittagong Hill
Tracts perform a dance known as Chai on the
production of crops. Chakmas also perform
dances for a good harvest and rainfall, and
sometimes just for entertainment.
DANCE
 Haduma
• The dance among the Rajbanshi peoples
in Rangpur and Dinajpur is very common
which is performed by women in the field
to prevent drought, as Haduma is the
goddess of rain. The dance is performed
to evoke the goddess to provide rainfall.
Likewise there are dances known as
Karam, Jhumar and Jatur which are
associated with the cultivation and
production of crops.
 Disposal of the Dead

• Dead bodies are both buried and cremated. Different

groups of indigenous peoples follow different modes. But
all of them practice some rituals so that the dead soul
live in peace and do not harm the living persons. Dead
bodies are prepared in different fashions before they
were taken for burial or cremation. Kirtan or religious
song is chanted before the dead body is taken for burial.
Members of some of the indigenous peoples also shave
their heads after the funeral rites are over. Usually after
a few days a Sradha or feast is organized for the
relatives of the dead.