🔥 Our Ethnic Friends

Clsss 8: Unit One, Lesson 3: Our Ethnic Friends

B. Now, read the text

Bangladesh is home to more than 54 Indigenous groups, including the Chakma, Marma, and Tripura, with most living in the northern and southeastern flatlands, and the rest in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. They have distinct lifestyles, economic practices, and belief systems. These groups speak at least 35 distinct languages, adding to the country's cultural richness.

However, many of these languages are endangered, as the dominance of Bangla and modern societal pressures push them towards extinction, a global issue known as language death. The UN warns that many Indigenous languages are disappearing, with one dying every two weeks.

During the British colonial rule, indigenous communities played a significant role in resisting oppression. Leaders like Sidhu and Kanu led uprisings, such as the Santhal Rebellion, highlighting their contributions to the anti-colonial struggle.

Despite this legacy, Indigenous people in Bangladesh today face challenges in preserving their languages and culture. The efforts to include Indigenous languages in preschool education face hurdles like a lack of trained teachers and resources for higher education.

Additionally, the 1957 construction of the Kaptai Dam, funded by USAID and built by the Pakistani government, displaced thousands of people in the hill tracts, submerging their homes and farmlands under the Karnaphuli River, disrupting their livelihoods and cultural connections to the land.

C. True or False?

1. Bangladesh is home to more than 54 indigenous groups, including the Chakma, Marma, and Tripura.

True False

2. Indigenous groups in Bangladesh speak only a few languages, with most of them being well-preserved.

True False

3. The dominance of Bangla has helped preserve indigenous languages in Bangladesh.

True False

4. Sidhu and Kanu were leaders of uprisings during the British colonial period.

True False

5. The Kaptai Dam, built in 1957, displaced thousands in the hill tracts, disrupting their connection to the land.

True False

D. Ask and Answer the Questions (Accordion)

1. In which part of Bangladesh do most indigenous groups live?

Most indigenous groups live in the northern and southeastern flatlands, and in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

2. How many distinct languages do Indigenous groups in Bangladesh speak?

They speak at least 35 distinct languages.

3. What global issue is related to the decline of indigenous languages?

The global issue is called "language death".

4. What organization warns that many Indigenous languages are disappearing?

The United Nations (UN).

5. What has made it difficult for indigenous people to preserve their languages today?

Dominance of Bangla, societal pressures, and lack of trained teachers and educational resources.