Papers, chiefly presented at the IBS Seminar on the Tribal Cultures of Bangladesh, held at Rajshahi on Mar. 28-30, 1980.

Little is know about the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh (CHT), an area of approximately 5,089 square miles in southeastern Bangladesh. It is inhabited by indigenous peoples, including the Bawm, Sak, Chakma, Khumi Khyang, Marma, Mru, Lushai, Uchay (also called Mrung, Brong, Hill Tripura), Pankho, Tanchangya and Tripura (Tipra), numbering over half a million. Originally inhabited exclusively by indigenous peoples, the Hill Tracts has been impacted by national projects and programs with dire consequences. This book describes the struggle of the indigenous peoples of the Chittagong Hill Tracts region to regain control over their ancestral land and resource rights. From sovereign nations to the limited autonomy of today, the report details the legal basis of the land rights of the indigenous peoples and the different tools employed by successive administrations to exploit their resources and divest them of their ancestral lands and territories. The book argues that development programs need to be implemented in a culturally appropriate manner to be truly sustainable, and with the consent and participation of the peoples concerned. Otherwise, they only serve to push an already vulnerable people into greater impoverishment and hardship. The devastation wrought by large-scale dams and forestry policies cloaked as development programs is succinctly described in this report, as is the population transfer and militarization. The interaction of all these factors in the process of assimilation and integration is the background for this book, analyzed within the perspective of indigenous and national law, and complemented by international legal approaches. The book concludes with an updateon the developments since the signing of the Peace Accord between the Government of Bangladesh and the Jana Sanghati Samiti (JSS) on December 2, 1997.

Socioreligious and cultural behavior of socially underprivileged classes in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is a young country with an ancient history. Situated on the lush, green, and fertile land of the Ganges delta, the country gained its independence from Pakistan in 1971. It is a land of writers, saints, scholars, and artists, famous for its music, dance, and drama; folklore; festivals and celebrations; and its distinctive culinary tradition. When you first arrive in Bangladesh, you may be overwhelmed by the crowds, the traffic jams, the humidity, and the lack of familiar facilities. However, your perspective will quickly change as you come to know its people. Generosity, honesty, integrity, and good humour are all traits common to this land. Today, 80 percent of the population live in rural areas, and Bangladesh remains for the most part a very traditional society, adhering to customs and norms that go back hundreds of years. As such, an understanding of Bangladeshi culture is critical. Culture Smart! Bangladesh will introduce you to the culture and the people beyond the stereotypes and headlines. It offers clear advice on what to expect and how to behave in different social situations. Whether you are a tourist or you are traveling on business, it will equip you with the tools you need to make the most of your trip. Welcome to Bangladesh! Bangladeshe swagato!

Sheds light on the context, processes, and politics of ending the decades-long armed insurgency and building peace in Bangladesh's Chittagong Hill Tracts.

The history of Santals has been preserved and passed on over the generations by the words of mouth until the Europeans took interest in them and started writing about them. Most of the initial writings were done by hearing from the elders of Santals and translating them. Some Indian writers had written about them as well but only by hearing from others. All of them had their own perspective as they felt appropriate. I have been looking for an authentic book about Santals written by Santals themselves who were born and brought up with them in their villages and hamlets for a long time but was unable to find one. So I decided to write myself after doing some reading of materials written by different people mainly Europeans and some Indian authors. My little book is no different except I am a Santal myself, born and brought up in a santal village and learnt about our belief of creation, customs, traditions, culture, and legends passed on orally by the elders of the villages to the younger generations during regular worship at the various festivals and other special occasions. They are basically a repetition of the same starting from the creation of the earth to the birth of human beings, growing up, marriage, procreation and death and migration. I have lived through them and have managed to come out of this darkness according to Dr W.G Archert I.C.S one of the last deputy Commissioners of Dumka towards the fag end of British Raj and author of many books on Santals including Tribal Law and Justice and managed to reach United Kingdom several years ago. So I have tried to put our history into perspective from my life long experience and readings of different books and hope you find this helpful to understand the real history of Santals.