Rakhain, the vivid and lively indigenous community of Bangladesh

Rakhain, one of the most familiar ethnic communities living in Bangladesh, is well-known for their vibrant and colorful but organized lifestyle. Their water festival charms the people – Bengali, Non-Bengali, whoever he is. In this spectacular event, the Rakhain girls throw water when Rakhain boys come across in different spot with music and dance.  They have freedom to choose their partner or life partner at this festival, if both agree.

 

Though, the history of Rakhaine in Bangladesh is not so primeval like some other tribal nations like Santals or Garo, their name will come when anyone wants to have an overview of the tribal nations in the country, and it’s because of their strong and colorful presence as a unique entity.

The origin of the Rakhains is in Myanmar which belongs to the Bhotbarmi community of the Mongoloids. In the eighteenth century, many Rakhain people migrated from their homeland in Arakan province of Burma because of political turmoil and they gradually settled in different areas of Cox’sbazaar and Patuakhali district of Bangladesh. Besides these two districts, they also live in some isolated hilly areas of Barguna, Chittagong Hill Tracts and Khagrachori. The census of 2001 recorded the number of Rakhain population in Bangladesh at about 15,000.

Rakhains have a long history and culture of several thousand years old. The world ‘Rakhain’ is derived from a Pali word ‘Arakhah’ which means Raksho or Rakshok or (protector). It is believed that they were the inhabitants of ancient kingdom of Magadha and later migrated to Rokhong, Rokhaingpi, Arkhang, Rosang, Rakhainpray or Arakan.

 As a very much festive community, Rakhains celebrate some other festivals like Pailong Poye (boat race and fair), wrestling fair, chariot fair, ceremony organized marking the ear-severing of the children, cultivation festival, harvesting festival, balloon flying festival and new year’s festival.

  

Rakhains had embraced Buddism leaving the worship of nature in 580 BC during the reign of King Chandra-Suriya, the first king who embraced Buddism just after the enlightenment of Gautam Buddha. The major religious functions and festivals of Rakhains are Sampro Poye, Akhagri, Kach Chung Newri Poye (full moon festival), Chapeng poye (a function of recitation from the Holy Book), Wa-Cho (held in rainy season), Wa-Jhoe Poi (probarona purnima), Tachchai-Dai, Kathing Poye and funeral services.

Rakhain women traditionally dress up their hair in 64 different styles. It has also been revealed in the archaeological objects, mainly stone-engraving, discovered in Mrau city. In hair-dressing Rakhain women use flower pin and comb made of gold along with a round shaped comb set. They also like to dress up with ornaments like earnings, both normal and bell-shaped, necklace, chain, bungles, bracelets, rings made of gold and gems.

Rakhain males attire colorful lungi, shirt, turban, unstitched coloured dhuti of 12 feet length, genji (vest), scarf, waistband, belt and crown (only during wedding). Rakhain women cover the lower part of their body with 12 feet long unstitched coloured cloth called a-thongke and thami and wear bra, blouse and colorful modest scarf to dress up the upper portion of the body. They also use belts.

Though Buddhists by religious faith, Rakhains, like other tribes and sub-tribes, believe in superstitions, magic and supernatural powers. They lead very simple lives. The language of Rakhains belongs to the Bhotbarmi group of languages.

Rakhain children start their education at Buddhist primary school or khyangs (monastery). They receive both religious and linguistic education there. 

 

Rakhains are engaged in various professions. Beside the main occupation of farming and fishing, they are engaged in trading, shop-keeping, boat and ship building, weaving etc. Many of them work as artisans with the professional group like goldsmith, blacksmith, carpenter, painter, wood-carver, mason and metallurgical technician. 

 

 

Garos – the community with distinctive culture and lifestyle

The Garos are one of the most familiar indigenous communities of Bangladesh living in the hilly areas of the country, famous mostly for their distinctive culture and versatile lifestyle.   Besides Bangladesh, they are mostly found in hilly areas of India. The Garos are one of the few remaining matrilineal societies in the world.

A substantial number of Garos, about 200,000 are found in greater Mymensingh (Tangail, Jamalpur, Sherpore, Netrakona, Mymensingh) and Gazipur, Rangpur, Sunamgonj, Sylhet, Moulovibazar district of Bangladesh.

The Garos are one of the few remaining matrilineal societies in the world. The individuals take their clan titles from their mothers. Traditionally, the youngest daughter (nokmechik) inherits the property from her mother. Sons leave the parents' house, and are trained in the village bachelor dormitory (nokpante).

After getting married, the man lives in his wife's house. Garos are only a matrilinear society, but not matriarchal. While property of Garo's is owned by the women, the men folk govern the society and domestic affairs and manage the property. This gives a solid security to the Garo women folk.

Among the Garos in Bangladesh, six language varieties are spoken: A'tong, Abeng, Brak, Chibok, Dual, and Megam. Together these are all called the Mandi language.

They are well-known for their colorful and versatile ornaments, which are worn by both men and women, and include elbow rings, conch shells, earrings, beads, ivory and bangles. Generally the Garo are farmers, raising livestock such as ducks, deer, pigs and goats, but rice is the main ingredient in their diet. Bamboo shoots are considered a delicacy by the Garo and they also enjoy crab, fish and prawn.

Generally one finds the similar type of arts and architecture in the whole of Garo Hills. They normally use locally available building materials like timbers, bamboo, cane and thatch. Garos have some different types of establishments for their living and other purposes. 

Nokmong is the house where every A'chik household can stay together. This house is built in such a way that inside the house, there are provisions for sleeping, hearth, sanitary arrangements, kitchen, water storage, place for fermenting wine, the raised platform serves as hencoop for keeping fowl and for storing firewood, thus every need being fully provisioned for in one house.

The house where unmarried male youth or bachelors live is called Nokpante. Nokpantes are generally constructed in the front courtyard of the Nokma, the chief. The art of cultivation, various arts and cultures, and different games are also taught in the Nokpante to the young boys by the senior boys and elders.

In certain areas, in the rice field or orchards, small huts are constructed. They are called Jamsireng or Jamdap. Either the season’s fruits or grains are collected and stored in the Jamsreng or it can be used for sleeping.

 The small house, a type of miniature house, built in the jhum fields is called Jamadal or ‘field house’. In certain places, where there is danger from wild animals, a small house with ladder is constructed on the treetop. This is called Borang or ‘house on the treetop’.

The Garos are very much festive community. Their common and regular festivals are connected with agricultural operations.

Greatest among Garo festivals is the Wangala, usually celebrated in October or November, is thank-giving after harvest in which Saljong, the god who provides mankind with Nature’s bounties and ensures their prosperity, is honored. Other festivals: Gal·mak Goa, Agalmaka, etc.

Beautiful Garo girls known as nomil and handsome young men pante take part in 'Wangala' festivals. The pantes dance with the beat of long drum called dama in groups and play bamboo flute. The 'nomils, with colorful costumes, dance to the tune of dama' and folk songs in a circle. 

Though Christmas is basically a religious celebration, in Garo Hills the month of December is a great season of celebration. The celebration is featured by worship, dance, merry-making, grand feasts and social visits. 

Their main occupation is farming, and many of them farm as day laborers. Known for their integrity and hard-working spirit, Garos are also commonly employed by local NGOs. Some also work in government offices, medical centers, and schools. About 80% of them are at least somewhat literate, and the number of Garos attaining higher education is increasing day by day.