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

“No Justice For Bengali People In CHT”

Bhusanchara Genocide: 400 Bengalis Killed Within Hour

Role Of Tribal Leaders Of CHT In The Liberation War Of Bangladesh

 

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

 

Garo

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

 

KEEP READING

বাংলাদেশে ক্ষুদ্র নৃ-গোষ্ঠীগুলোর আগমন ও আদিবাস

“No Justice For Bengali People In CHT”

Bhusanchara Genocide: 400 Bengalis Killed Within Hour

Role Of Tribal Leaders Of CHT In The Liberation War Of Bangladesh

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