TRIBAL CULTURES OF

BANGLADESH

Presentation Flow

Definition

Tribes in
Bangladesh

Unique
Cultural
Attributes

Takeaways

Tribe: By definition

Historically or developmentally, as a social group

existing before the development of, or outside of,
states

a social division in a traditional society consisting of

families or communities linked by social, economic,
religious, or blood ties, with a common culture and
dialect, typically having a recognized leader.

In the popular imagination, tribes reflect a way of life

that predates, and is more natural than that in
modern states.

Tribal People of Bangladesh and

Their Culture

Bangladesh has many tribal people, ethnic

population groups of Bangladesh is estimated at 27

Majority lives in the Chittagong hill tracts area.

Others in Sylhet Division, Rajshahi Division and

Mymensingh District.

Total population was estimated to be over 2.3

million in 2013.
Each

tribe is unique in their own way

Chakma Tribe

Largest tribe of Bangladesh

Chakma have their own script in which their ancient

religious literature is preserved in palm leaves

Chakma are almost 100% Theravada Buddhist

Chakma women wear an ankle length cloth around

the waist which is also calledPhinonand also
aHaadiwrapped above the waist as well as silver
ornaments.

Bamboo shoot is a traditional food of the chakma

people.They call it "Bajchuri".And Shrimp paste is
their traditional ingredient of cooking.They call it
"Sidol".

Marma Tribe

Second largest ethnic community in Chittagong Hill

Tracts

Marma Peoples are over 210,000 Population just

within Bangladesh.

Marma language is soft and poetic

Introduction of primary education in the Marma

language is believed to be a necessary step for the
progress of education among the Marma.

Marmas are great lovers of music and drama

Monipuri Tribe

Manipuri peopleare ofMongolian descent

They speak a language called Meithei

Most of the Manipuri peoples are farmers

According to their custom, they do not eat meat,

but they do eat fish.

People must find a spouse from another clan

because they may not marry within their own clan

They are famous throughout the world for their

beautiful expressive dances, which are closely tied
to their religion.

Garo Tribe

Garos are matrimonial ethnic community

They worship sun, tree, fire, stone, water or rain

They depends on Joom cultivation

They call themselvesAchik Mandewhich literally

means "hill people

Garos are one of the few remaining matrilineal

societies in the world

Garos are mainly Christians

Santals Tribe

The Santhals speak the Santali language, one of the

Tribal languages.

Santhal religion worships Marang buru or Bonga as

supreme deity

Santhals are an agricultural tribe but also are well

versed in the art of hunting

Santhali culture is depicted in the paintings and

artworks in the walls of their houses.

They love to sing their traditional songs and dance in

groups.

Takeaways

Bangladesh is a land of cultural heritage

Home of 27 tribal (indigenous communities)

Each one is more unique than the others

They have their own sets of believes, norms, rites, rituals,

religion etc.

Self reliance within their community is exemplary for us.