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.