Lesson 3/65 min
The major groups
Chakma
- Bangladesh's largest tribe; Buddhist
- Several villages make a mouza; village head is the karbari, mouza head the headman
- Place of worship: kiyang (Buddhist temple); women wear pinon and hadi
- Religious festivals: Buddha Purnima, Maghi Purnima, Boishakhi Purnima, Kathin Chibor Dan
- Biggest festival Biju: the last two days of the Bangla year and the first of the new year, three days in all
- They have their own script and language
- They live in Rangamati, Bandarban, Khagrachhari, Cox's Bazar and Chattogram; most in Rangamati
Marma
- Buddhist; once called Mog; in Bengal Arakanese pirates were also called Mog
- Three-tier administration: village (roa; head roaja or karbari), mouza (headman), circle (Bohmong chief or Bohmong Raja)
- Biggest festival Sangrai, on Bangla New Year, with a water festival
- Religious festivals: Buddha Purnima, Maghi Purnima, Kathin Chibor Dan
- They live in Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachhari; some in Patuakhali and Cox's Bazar
Santal
- The largest tribe of the plains
- Part Hindu, part Christian
- Main religious festival Sohrai; a notable dance is Jhumur
- The deity is called Bonga or Surya; language Santali; no written script
- Santal Rebellion Day is 30 June
Garo
- Matrilineal; about 99% Christian
- The original religion was Sangsarek; chief deity Tatara Rabuga (Rabuka)
- Main festival Wangala: a symbol of the sun, in honour of Saljong, god of the land's fertility
- Language Mandi; the Achik Khusik dialect is the mother tongue of Bangladeshi Garos
- They live in Mymensingh, Sherpur, Netrokona, Tangail and Habiganj; Birishiri is in Netrokona
Khasi
- Matrilineal; 80–90% Christian
- Deity Ublai Nongthau; a village or hamlet is a punji
- Guests are welcomed with betel leaf and nut; language Mon-Khmer
- They live in Sylhet, Habiganj, Sunamganj, Moulvibazar and Netrokona; in Sylhet on the border Jaintia hills
Watch out: The books differ on the second-largest group: Khandokar gives Marma for the Hill Tracts, Zubair gives Santal. Decide from the options in such a question.
Check yourself
What is the biggest festival of the Marma?
At a glance
- 1
Chakma: Buddhist; village head karbari, mouza head headman; biggest festival Biju; most in Rangamati.
- 2
Marma: once Mog; festival Sangrai; the Bohmong Raja heads the three-tier administration.
- 3
Santal: largest of the plains; festival Sohrai; rebellion day 30 June.
- 4
Garo: matrilineal; 99% Christian; festival Wangala; language Mandi.
- 5
Khasi: matrilineal; the village is a punji; language Mon-Khmer.