The indigenous people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) are a group of ethnic communities living in southeastern Bangladesh. The main groups include Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Mro, Bawm, Khumi, Chak, Khyang, Pangkhua, Tanchangya, Lushai, and Santal. They have their own languages, cultures, and traditions, different from the Bengali majority.
Context
The Chittagong Hill Tracts is one of the most culturally diverse regions in Bangladesh. Unlike the plains, this region is home to multiple indigenous communities who have lived there for generations. Their identity, culture, and history are deeply connected to the hills.
Understanding who they are is important not only for history but also for culture, rights, and identity.
Indigenous People of the Chittagong Hill Tracts
The main indigenous communities in the CHT are:
These groups are often described as “Jumma people.” The term “Jumma” comes from “jhum,” a traditional form of shifting cultivation practiced in the hills, and is used to describe several indigenous communities of the region.
Who Are the Major Indigenous Groups?
Chakma
The largest group in the CHT. They mainly follow Theravada Buddhism and have a strong cultural and literary tradition.
Marma
The second largest group. They are closely related to the Rakhine people of Myanmar and also follow Buddhism.
Tripura
A diverse group with connections to the Tripura state in India. Their culture includes unique language and traditional practices.
Mro (Mru)
One of the oldest communities in the hills. They have distinct beliefs and a unique lifestyle connected closely to nature.
Bawm, Khumi, Chak, Khyang, Pangkhua, Lushai
These smaller groups each have their own languages, dress, and traditions. Many of them belong to the Tibeto-Burman ethnic family.
Tanchangya
A culturally rich community with similarities to Chakma traditions, especially in language and lifestyle.
Santal
Although Santals are widely known in other parts of Bangladesh, there are also Santal communities living in parts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts over generations. In some discussions, they are also considered within the broader Jumma identity framework.
Culture, Language, and Religion
The indigenous people of the CHT are not a single group—they are culturally diverse.
- Languages: Mostly from the Tibeto-Burman language family
- Religion:
- Buddhism (Chakma, Marma, Tanchangya)
- Christianity (many smaller groups)
- Traditional beliefs (especially among Mro and others)
Their festivals, clothing, and food are different from mainstream Bengali culture. Events like Biju, Sangrai, and Baisabi are important cultural celebrations.
Why Are They Called “Indigenous”?
The term “indigenous” is used because these communities:
- Lived in the region before modern state formation
- Have distinct languages, cultures, and identities
- Maintain traditional ways of life connected to land and nature
However, the use of the term “indigenous” in Bangladesh remains debated in politics and law.
Debate: Who Is “Indigenous” in the Chittagong Hill Tracts?
The term “indigenous” is one of the most debated issues in Bangladesh, especially in the context of the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Some Settlers argue that Bengalis living in Bangladesh are also “indigenous,” and that communities such as the Jumma groups originally migrated from areas that are now part of Myanmar or India. Based on this view, they question why only the hill communities are described as indigenous.
However, in international usage, the term “indigenous peoples” has a more specific meaning.
According to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII):
“Indigenous peoples are inheritors and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of relating to people and the environment. They have retained social, cultural, economic and political characteristics that are distinct from those of the dominant societies in which they live.”
The UN also explains that indigenous peoples have:
“historical continuity with pre-invasion and pre-colonial societies” and consider themselves distinct from other sectors of the societies now prevailing in those territories.
(Source: United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues)
The International Labour Organization (ILO Convention No. 169) further states:
Indigenous peoples are those who are regarded as indigenous on account of their descent from the populations which inhabited a country, or a geographical region, at the time of conquest or colonization and who retain some or all of their own social, economic, cultural and political institutions.
(Source: ILO Convention 169, Article 1)
Another key principle is self-identification. According to international frameworks:
“Self-identification as indigenous or tribal shall be regarded as a fundamental criterion.”
(Source: UNDRIP / ILO Convention 169 interpretation)
What This Means in the Bangladesh Context
Based on these international definitions, indigenous identity is not determined only by origin. It depends on:
- Long-term connection to a region
- Cultural continuity and distinct identity
- Self-identification
- Historical experience within a modern state
In this context, many communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts are described as indigenous because they have maintained their identity, culture, and land relationships over generations.
It is also important to understand that migration is part of human history. Because of this, international frameworks focus more on continuity, identity, and cultural survival, not just distant origin.
For this reason, the debate in Bangladesh is not simply about who came first, but about how identity is defined today.
Because of these differences, the term “indigenous” remains sensitive and debated in Bangladesh.
History of the Indigenous People in CHT
Historically, these communities lived under their own systems of leadership, including chiefs, kings, and traditional governance.
Historical records from British administrative documents and later studies provide much of the written information about these communities.
During British rule, the region was administratively organized but still recognized as culturally distinct. Over time, political and social changes affected their land, identity, and governance.
Even today, history continues to shape their situation.
Challenges and Identity Today
The indigenous people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts face several challenges:
- Land and resource issues
- Cultural preservation
- Identity recognition
- Political representation
Despite these challenges, they continue to protect their traditions, language, and community life.
Why This Topic Matters
The Chittagong Hill Tracts is not just a place—it is home to many identities.
Understanding these communities helps us see:
- The diversity of Bangladesh
- The importance of cultural preservation
- The reality of minority identities
Final Reflection
The indigenous people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts are not one group but many communities with shared history and diverse cultures.
Their story is not only about the past—it is about identity, survival, and the future.
Understanding who the Indigenous people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts are is important not only for knowledge but also for meaningful discussion about culture, history, and coexistence in Bangladesh today.
You may like:
- Why Is the Word “Indigenous” So Frightening in Bangladesh?
- Is the Shadow of Bamiyan Falling Over the Chittagong Hill Tracts?
- Who Are the Settlers in Chittagong Hill Tracts?
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