The migration of small ethnic groups to Bangladesh and their original habitats
SAYED IBN RAHMAT
The preliminary report of Population and Housing Census 2022 has found 50 non-Bengali/small ethnic communities living in Bangladesh. Apart from this, there are some other communities. But their names were not mentioned. The total non-Bengali/ethnic population size in Bangladesh is 1,650,159, which is 0.10% of the country’s total population.
Again, the total population of the named 50 non-Bengali/small ethnic groups is 1,581,621 (which is 95.85% of the total population of non-Bengali/small ethnic communities) and the population of other communities is 68,538 (which is 4.15% of the total population of non-Bengali/small ethnic communities).
Here are brief facts about some notable communities – concerning their origin, arrival time in Bangladesh, population size, language, and habitats:
Asamese
Population: 2000
Residence: Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachari
Original Residence: Asam, India
Migration to Bangladesh: 1860 AD
Language: Asamese
Khyang
Population: 4,826
Residence: Rangamati, Bandarban
Original Residence: Arakan, Myanmar
Migration to Bangladesh: 1600-1700 AD
Language: Khyang
Khumee
Population: 3,780
Residence: Ruma, Roangchari, Thanchi of Bandarban
Original Residence: Myanmar
Migration to Bangladesh: At the end of the 17th century
Language: Khumee
Gurkha
Population: 100
Residence: Rangamati, Bandarban, Dhaka, Bogra, Kustia, Chattagram, Sylhet, Khulna, Patuakhali
Original Residence: Nepal
Migration to Bangladesh: 1871 AD
Language: Nepali
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বাংলাদেশে ক্ষুদ্র নৃ-গোষ্ঠীগুলোর আগমন ও আদিবাস
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Chak
Population: 3,077
Residence: Naikhongchhari, Bandarban
Original Residence: Pamir Malbhumi
Migration to Bangladesh: At the end of the 16th century
Language: Chak
Chakma
Population: 483,299
Residence: Rangamati, Khagrachari, Cox’sbazar
Original Residence: Champaknagar of India or Myanmar
Migration to Bangladesh: 1660 AD
Language: Chakma
Tanchangya
Population: 45,972
Residence: Rangamati, Chattagram, Cox’sbazar
Original Residence: Arakan, Myanmar
Migration to Bangladesh: 1819 AD
Language: Tanchangya
Tripura
Population: 156,578
Residence: Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachari, Chattagram, Sylhet, Comilla, Rajbari, Chandpur, Faridpur.
Original Residence: 65 AD China’s Yangtze and Huangho river valleys
Migration to Bangladesh: Later Tripura people gradually came to Bangladesh through Assam, India.
Language: Kokborok
Pangkhu
Population: 1,857
Residence: Sajek, Langadu, Bilaichari, Barkal, Kaptai in Rangamati
Original Residence: Myanmar
Migration to Bangladesh: At the end of the 18th century
Language: Pangkhu
Bawm
Population: 13,193
Residence: Rangamati, Bandarban
Original Residence: Chaina
Migration to Bangladesh: 17th century
Language: Bawm
Marma
Population: 224,261
Residence: Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachari
Original Residence: Myanmar
Migration to Bangladesh: 1784 AD
Language: Marma
Murong
Population: 52,455
Residence: Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachari
Original Residence: Myanmar
Migration to Bangladesh: Between the 17th and 18th centuries.
Language: Mro
Lushai
Population: 380
Residence: Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachari
Original Residence: Lushai Hills of India
Migration to Bangladesh: A few centuries ago
Language: Lushai
Koch
Population: 13,702
Residence: Greater Mymensingh, Gazipur, Pabna, Bogra, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Dinajpur, Joypurhat, Naogaon.
Original Residence: kochbihar of India
Migration to Bangladesh: A few centuries ago
Language: Koch
Population: 76,846
Residence: Greater Mymensingh, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Gazipur.
Original Residence: Garo Hills of India
Migration to Bangladesh: 9th-10th centuries.
Language: Mande
Hajong
Population: 7,996
Residence: Sherpur, Netrokona, Sunamganj, Gazipur.
Original Residence: The Huangho River Valley in China
Migration to Bangladesh: 17th centuries.
Language: Hajong
Khasi
Population: 12,421
Residence: Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj.
Original Residence: Asam
Migration to Bangladesh: About 500 years ago.
Language: Khasi
Manipuri
Population: 22,978
Residence: Sylhet, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj.
Original Residence: Manipur of India
Migration to Bangladesh: 1819-1825 AD.
Language: Manipuri
Rakhine
Population: 11,195
Residence: Chattagram, Cox’sbazar, Patuakhali, Barguna.
Original Residence: Arakan of Myanmar
Migration to Bangladesh: 1784 AD.
Language: Rakhine
Sources: banglapedia, nrigostisanad.gov.bd, wikipedia, Bangladesher Adibashi: Ethnographio Gobeshona, The preliminary report of Population and Housing Census 2022.
Picture Sources: Internet.
Sayed Ibn Rahmat: Journalist and Researcher about Chittagong Hill Tracts
email: sayedibnrahmat@gmail.com
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বাংলাদেশে ক্ষুদ্র নৃ-গোষ্ঠীগুলোর আগমন ও আদিবাস
“No Justice For Bengali People In CHT”
Bhusanchara Genocide: 400 Bengalis Killed Within Hour