‘People need to know they exist’
There is an urgent need to document the lives and cultural practices of some of the smallest indigenous communities on the verge of disappearing.
Speakers said this at a book launch event, organised by Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) at the capital's The Daily Star Centre yesterday.
The book, "Indigenous in the Edge", brought out by MJF, documents the lives and cultural practices of 17 indigenous communities.
The communities are Malo, Koch, Hajong, Hodi, Kora, Santal, Munda, Mahato, Mahali, Banai, Barman, Dalu, Garo, Khasi, Oraon, Patro, and Ganju.
Even among the indigenous communities, the attention received by the groups living in the plain lands is disproportionately less. Many small communities are getting homogenised with larger indigenous groups, and thus their culture is getting erased, said speakers.
According to official estimates, there are around 50 indigenous groups in Bangladesh.
"Many of the general population do not even know the names of some of these indigenous groups. People need to know that groups like Ganju and Banai exist," said Sanjeeb Drong, secretary of Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum.
Rashed Khan Menon, parliamentarian and president of Workers' Party, said it is tragic that the indigenous groups are disappearing while the government is debating whether or not the word "adibashi" can be used.
"There needs to be a separate land commission for indigenous people of the plain lands," said Menon. "Because of lack of formal systems, they face eviction from their villages, while their lands and properties are taken away from them."
Artiste Mamunur Rashid spoke about the need to represent the communities in a way that does not exoticise them. "The communities are portrayed as tourist attractions -- with photos of colourful, dancing indigenous women," he said.
"The documentation must also be in their own mother languages. There are no known novels or extensive literature in indigenous languages. These need to be encouraged," he said.
"Our state is afraid of letting indigenous people build their own cultural narratives, lest they begin demanding their rights using that as a medium," he added.
Prof Mesbah Kamal, vice chancellor of Bangladesh University, said the term "indigenous nationalities" should be used instead of "indigenous communities".
Parliamentarian Aroma Dutta also spoke at the event.
Shaheen Anam, executive director of MJF, opened the programme.
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