The term Jumma (from Jhum cultivation, Bengali: জুম্ম),[1] also called Pahari (Bengali: পাহাড়ি, lit. 'Hill people') by Bengalis,[2] usually referred to the minority tribal group of people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts region of Bangladesh, who used to claim a separate state called Jummaland.[citation needed] They include the Chakma, Arakanese (Rakhine), Marma, Tripuri, Tanchangya, Chak, Pankho, Mru, Bawm, Lushai, Khyang, and Khumi.[3][4]
With the exception of the relatively well-integrated Chakma and Tanchangya, most of the peoples referring themselves Jumma are native speakers of Tibeto-Burman languages, unrelated to the Bengali language spoken by ethnic Bengalis. They are religiously and culturally distinct as well, with most being Buddhists, some Hindus, and some are converted Christians and Muslims. In addition, they have retained some traditional religious practices.[5]
Ethnicity
Full chart of ethnic people of Chittagong Hill Tracts
History
 | This section needs to be updated. (October 2024) |
Pakistan Period
During the construction of the Kaptai Dam, more than 18,000 families and 100,000 tribal people were evicted by then Pakistani president Ayub Khan without appropriate resettlement facilities or compensation.[7] More than 40,000 Chakma tribals emigrated to Arunachal Pradesh, India.[8][9] Consequently, the Jummas began a grudge against the government due to their distress.[10]
Bangladesh Liberation War
In 1971, most of the Jummas were neutral or in support of Bangladeshi independence, with the exception of the majority of the Chakma people, who were against the independence of Bangladesh under the leadership of Chakma circle chief Raja Tridev Roy.[citation needed]
Independent Bangladesh
Between 1978 and 1990, the ruling military junta government saw the Jummas (including Chakmas) as traitors and a potential risk for an independent Bangladesh. Allegedly, 400,000 Bengali homeless people were relocated in the Chittagong Hill Tracts with homes, arable land, and food rationing.[11] It causes tension between Bengali settlers and tribal groups. Between 1979 and 1997, over 15 major conflict took place between Bengali settlers and minority tribes where government agencies have allegation to support Bengali settlers.[11] Due to the outbreaks of violence, communal and social unrest, many Jummas fled to the Indian states of Mizoram and Tripura, or to Myanmar.[11]
Peace negotiations were initiated in 1996 by prime minister Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League, the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The peace accord was finalized and formally signed on 2 December 1997.[12]
References
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