Int'l Day for World's Indigenous Peoples

(Clockwise from top-left) Indigenous women in colourful traditional attire (Mymensingh). The Garo, Koach and Barmon people, cheerful in the colours of their tradition (Tangail). Photo: STAR

Hundreds of indigenous people from different parts of Mymensingh region joined the day-long celebrations for International Day of the World's Indigenous People on Thursday in Mymensingh town.
Marking the celebrations, indigenous people from different areas of Mymensingh region gathered in Mymensingh town and joined the day's programmes in colourful traditional indigenous attire.
Greater Mymensingh Adivasi Development Committee, Bangladesh Garo Chhatra Sangathan, Garo Students Union, Bangladesh Garo Chhatra Sangathan, Joyenshahi Adibasi Parishad, Garo Women Association and Adibasi Sangskritik Goshthi jointly organised the programme.
A cultural function was held at Mymensingh Zila Shilpakala Academy auditorium in the afternoon. Indigenous Garo artistes joined the cultural event and performed traditional songs and dances, enthralling the huge audience. Through the songs and dance sequences, the artistes depicted the traditional lifestyle of the indigenous people.
Mahua Hajong and Mithu Hajong led the dance sequences. Sumi Marak led the rendition of songs. The team was assisted by Sohagh Chiran on tabla.
Suranjon Raksam, joint-secretary of the celebration committee; Lupa Mrong and Lipa Dibra presented the cultural programme.
Earlier, a colourful rally was brought out from Mymensingh Gymnasium. Traditionally attired indigenous people of all ages joined the rally.
Suvash Gengsum, an indigenous writer and researcher, inaugurated the rally.
As part of the celebrations, a discussion titled "Indigenous Media : Empowering Indigenous Voices" was held at Zila Shilpakala Academy auditorium in the afternoon.
Mayor of Mymensingh Municipality Md. Nazrul Islam was the chief guest. President of Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Oikya Parishad advocate Bikash Roy, advocate Emdadul Haque Millat, Regional Director of CARITAS, Mymensingh Theofil Nokrek, secretary general of Tribal Welfare Association central unit Swarnakanta Hajong, divisional director of World Vision, Mymensingh Pintu Areng, president of Bangladesh Mohila Parishad Ferdous Ara Mahmuda Helen and president of Lawyers and Journalists Forum advocate Probir Kumar Majumder were the special guests.
Tribal Welfare Association Sadarupazila unit president Hillol Nokrek chaired the discussion.
The speakers said that many indigenous people took part and laid down their lives in the country's War of Liberation in 1971. Therefore they have every right to get their constitutional rights.
The indigenous leaders noted that some 25 lakh 'plainland' indigenous people live in the country and to give them a better deal the government should establish a separate ministry.
The leaders also demanded a 5 percent quota in government services for indigenous people. They also urged the government to celebrate the day with due respect.

Mirza Shakil, Tangail
The Garo, Koach and Barmon people of Madhupur Garh region observed International Day for World's Indigenous Peoples on August 9 on the theme of “Indigenous media, Empowering Indigenous Voices”.
Various programmes, including a cultural function, colourful rally and a discussion were organised here to mark the day.
The Garo, Koach and Barmon people of Madhupur and adjacent areas brought out a colourful procession in Madhupur upazila headquarters with their traditional musical instruments and traditional weapons.
An eye catching cultural function was held at the premises of a local high school at Jalchhatra where Garo girls wearing colourful dresses performed their traditional songs and dances.
The cultural function was inaugurated with 'Dhoop Aroti' as part of the old tradition of the Garo people. It was presided over by 'Khamal' (priest) Dosin Nokrake of Joinagachha.
A group of Garo veterans performed music with their traditional instruments, while girls performed inaugural songs on the same stage.
Earlier, a discussion was held.
Madhupur Upazila Parishad Chairman Abdul Gafur Montu and Vice-chairman Jostina Nokrake addressed the discussion as chief guest and special guest respectively.
Speakers at the discussion demanded constitutional recognition of the indigenous people as 'Adivasia' and the resolution of land issues through the formation of a separate land commission.
They also urged the government to preserve their rights and observe International Day for World's Indigenous Peoples in the future.
Several stalls were set up by the Garo people at the same venue, with various traditional items, including handicrafts, cloths and food items on display.