Who Are the Chakma?
The Chakma are a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group primarily inhabiting the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh, with significant populations in India's Mizoram, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh states. Numbering approximately 700,000, they are the largest indigenous group in Bangladesh and one of the few Buddhist communities in a predominantly Muslim nation.
The Chakma possess their own script, literary tradition, and distinctive cultural practices setting them apart from neighboring peoples. Their homeland in the CHT—a mountainous region bordering Myanmar and India—has been contested territory, with the Chakma and other hill peoples facing displacement, violence, and marginalization since Bangladesh's independence.
Theravada Buddhism
The Chakma practice Theravada Buddhism, the same tradition found in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand. Monasteries (kyaung) serve as centers of community life, education, and cultural preservation. Monks are highly respected, supported by lay offerings, and young men traditionally spend periods as novices.
Buddhist practice blends with indigenous beliefs in spirits (devata) inhabiting natural features. Annual festivals follow the Buddhist calendar, with Kathin (robe-offering to monks) and Buddha Purnima (Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death) particularly important. Ceremonies mark life transitions from birth through death, combining Buddhist and traditional elements.
The Chakma Script
The Chakma script (Ojhapath) is an abugida derived from Brahmi, related to other South and Southeast Asian scripts. Traditionally used for religious texts and correspondence, it represents a distinctive marker of Chakma identity. A rich literary tradition includes poetry, folklore, and historical chronicles.
Under colonial and Pakistani rule, Chakma education declined. Post-independence efforts have sought to revitalize the script, with textbooks and cultural materials now produced. Digital fonts and Unicode standardization support modern use, though many Chakma now use Bengali or English for daily purposes.
Conflict and Displacement
Since Bangladesh's independence in 1971, the Chakma and other hill peoples have faced existential pressures. The Kaptai Dam (1962) flooded 40% of CHT's arable land, displacing 100,000 people. Government-sponsored settlement of Bengali Muslims transformed CHT demographics, reducing indigenous peoples from majority to minority.
Armed conflict erupted in 1977 as the Shanti Bahini insurgency fought for autonomy. Decades of violence, human rights abuses, and refugee flight followed. The 1997 Peace Accord promised regional autonomy and land rights, but implementation has been incomplete. Tensions and occasional violence continue, and land disputes remain unresolved.
Weaving and Culture
Chakma women are renowned for their weaving skills, producing distinctive textiles on backstrap looms. Traditional fabrics feature intricate geometric patterns in bright colors, used for ceremonial dress, home decoration, and gifts. Each design has cultural significance, and skills are passed from mother to daughter.
The pinon (wraparound skirt) and hadi (breast cloth) comprise traditional women's dress, though western clothing is now common for daily wear. Music features traditional instruments including the dhol (drum) and flute. The Bizu festival celebrating Chakma New Year in April brings communities together for feasting, games, and cultural performances.
References
- Van Schendel, W. (1992). "The Invention of the 'Jummas': State Formation and Ethnicity in Southeastern Bangladesh"
- Mohsin, A. (2003). "The Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh: On the Difficult Road to Peace"
- Tripura, P. (1992). "The Colonial Foundation of the Chakma Circle"
- International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs: CHT Reports