Who are the Indigenous People of the Chittagong Hill Tracts

 

Who Are the Indigenous Peoples of the Chittagong Hill Tracts?

By V.L. Questor

(October 18, 2025)

The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) lie in the southeastern corner of Bangladesh, bordering Myanmar and India—a land of mist-covered hills, bamboo forests, and quiet rivers that hide a deeper story of resilience and identity. This region, though geographically small, is home to some of South Asia’s most culturally distinct and politically marginalised Indigenous communities.

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A Tapestry of Peoples and Cultures

The Indigenous peoples of the CHT—collectively known as the Jumma peoples—comprise more than a dozen ethnic groups, including the Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Mro, Bawm, Lushai, Khumi, Khyang, Pankhua, and Chak communities.

Each group possesses its own language, customs, and traditions, forming a unique mosaic of cultural diversity within the Bangladeshi state. The term Jumma derives from jhum, or shifting cultivation—a traditional agricultural practice that sustains both livelihood and ecological balance in the hill regions.

Despite their differences, these communities share a deep spiritual bond with the land. Their identity is inseparable from the forests, rivers, and hills that have shaped their way of life for centuries.

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An Ancient Land under Modern Pressure

For generations, the CHT remained relatively autonomous and self-governed under traditional chiefs (rajas), who administered local justice and managed communal land. However, British annexation in the late 19th century disrupted this balance by imposing colonial laws, administrative boundaries, and economic pressures that undermined Indigenous self-rule.

Following the partition of British India in 1947, the CHT was controversially incorporated into Pakistan—despite its 97 percent non-Muslim population at the time. This decision sowed the seeds of decades-long alienation, displacement, and cultural erosion.

When Bangladesh gained independence in 1971, the Jumma peoples hoped for recognition as equal citizens with their own identity and autonomy. Instead, they found themselves labelled “tribal” minorities within a state that prioritised a singular national identity.

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The Struggle for Recognition

In 1997, after two decades of armed conflict, the CHT Peace Accord was signed between the Government of Bangladesh and the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), representing the Indigenous movement. The accord promised regional autonomy, demilitarisation, and recognition of traditional land rights.

Yet, twenty-seven years later, implementation remains incomplete. Many Indigenous families continue to face land confiscation, military presence, and cultural assimilation pressures. The slow pace of reform threatens not only the peace process but also the survival of Indigenous heritage itself.

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Why Their Voices Matter

The Indigenous peoples of the Chittagong Hill Tracts are not simply relics of the past—they are living custodians of biodiversity, ecological wisdom, and cultural diversity. Their struggle for dignity mirrors that of Indigenous nations worldwide, from the Amazon to the Arctic.

To stand with the Jumma peoples is to affirm a universal truth: that no community should lose its homeland or identity in the name of development or uniformity.

“We are the hills and the hills are us,” said a Marma elder during a 2023 community meeting in Bandarban.
“If the forest disappears, so will we.”

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A Call for Awareness and Solidarity

Recognising the Indigenous peoples of the CHT is not only a matter of historical justice—it is a test of moral conscience. As Bangladesh continues its journey toward democracy and equality, the inclusion and protection of its Indigenous citizens will determine the integrity of that progress.

The world must listen to the hills.
Their silence carries centuries of wisdom—and their voices, when heard, can guide us toward peace rooted in respect and truth.