CHITTAGONG HILL TRACTS

The Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) [map] is situated in the southern part of Bangladesh. The area is covered with lush green hills, innumerable scattered fountains and hundreds of mountain streamlet. It is bounded in the east by the Arakan (Southern Chin State) of Myanmar, Mizoram state of India, in the north by Arakan state of Myanmar, in the west by Chittagong District, and the southern boundary is delinated by the Cox's Bazar district in Bangladesh, rising as high as over 4000 feet in places, the hill ranges contain limited cultivable lands that are distinct from the very fertile multi yielded alluvial plains of Bangladesh in terms of fertility. The CHTs, now comprising three districts (Rangamati, Banadarban, Khagrachari), are situated between 21⁰25’ and 23⁰45’ nort latitude and between 91⁰45’ and 92⁰50’ east longitude. It has a total land area of 13,181 square kms (5,089 sm) and is by surface the largest district in Bangladesh.The districts comprises seven main valleys formed by the Feni, Karnafuli, Chengi, Myni, Kassalong, Sangu and Matamuhuri rivers and their tributaries, and numerous hills (Kiukarotlang, Chinchirmawitlang, Chimbuk), ravines and cliffs covered with dense vegetation (trees, bush, creeper jungles etc.) which are in complete contrast to most other districts of Bangladesh, which consist mainly of plain alluvial lands. 

Fauna and Flora:

Once upon a time the Bawmram (now called Chittagong Hill Tracts) was famous enough in the country in terms of flora and fauna. It was known as the hunting ground of the Kuki-Chin nation. A wide variety of mammals, carnivores (boars, foxes, weasels, wolves, jack, etc), insectivores (wild bears, gayals, cattle), rodent (flaying squirrels, baboons, porcupines, flaying lemurs) are found in deep forests and primates are now hardly or frequently found. Tigers, leopard, rhinos and elephants are found mainly in the deep forests across the borders of Myanmar and India. There are a large number of reptiles viz. Gharial, Python and Cobra. The forest cover of Bangladesh is only 17%. The deepest forest in the country located in Bawmram (*Bawmram is generally considered as the Bawm inhabited region).The forest is neither coniferous nor grassland like the selva or savanna rather it is fluffy and hilly forest that enrich the mountains with greenish scenic beauty throughout the year. Since the forests in this area provide hiding places for praying, most animals that live here are sharp-sighted and fast moving.

There are eleven ethnic multi-lingual minorities in the greater CHTs. They are Bawm, Pangkhua, Lushai, Khumi, Mro, Khyang, Chakma, Marma and Tripura. They have been divided in to three groups. The Bawm, Pangkhua, Lushai, Khumi and Mro, Khyang are Kuki-Chin or Kuki group. The Tripura, Riang are Tripura group and the Chakma, Marma, Tonchangya, Chak are Arakanese group. These groups differ from each other in terms of languages. Customs, religious belief and patterns of social organization.The population of the hill people in the CHT are devided as many as 3groups who the numerically superior ones are Arakanese group and the second are theTripura group. The Kuki group are the third in numerical strength.

The Kuki group (Bawm): Kuki group, are called themselves as Tlangmi or hill people ( they are Bawm, Pangkhua, Lushai, Khumi, Mro, Khyang). They are known as Chin in Burma and Mizo in India.The Kuki group linguistically and culturally differed from other valley-living people or Jumma (Arakanese and Tripura groups). They belong to the Kuki-Chin branch of the Tibeto-burman language family.They are unbriddled freedom nation.They live on the ridge of hills. They even used to choose different habitats for themselves for living from the early days of their community-life. So British administrator Captain T.H.Lewin designates them as ‘Tongtha’(child of hill). They are the earliest inhabitants in the hill tracts (see the settlement history).The Bawm(Kuki group) are Christian.Some of them are animist.

Tripura and Arakanese Groups: The Arakanese and Tripura groups are now called themselves as ‘Jumma’. They are living in the low land. Most of them till today are concentrated in the low land or on the bank of river. Cap. T.H. Lewin, therefore, gave them the designation of Khyangtha (Child of River). The Chakma, Marma, and Tripura are, on the other hand, valley-dwellers who will settle in higher regions only when pressed for lack of land (loffler.P.39). Although they prefer to call themselve as Jumma, they principally concentrated in the low land and on the bank of rivers. They hardly dwell in the hilly region.According to Lewin the Arakanese group moved in the hill areas in 17th century during Burmese war. They came in the hill areas from the plain land of Ctg. Until the beginning of the 18th century Chakma Chiefs still sought to have their position confirmed by the Arakanese king; and only at that time did an ancestor of the present chiefly line, who was coming from exile in Arakan, move his residence as far north as Rangunia on the Karnafuli (Loffler 1986).Accordingto Prof. Bessaignet, among the arakanese group, the Marma came in the CHT leaving the plain areas in 1826. The Tripura came in the CHt from the Tripura state of India. They are dependent tribes and British subjects. They pay tax-money or tributes to the British. Chakma (Tanchangya), Marma, Chak are buddist. Tripura (Riang) are Hindu.

The Bawm Life Style:

The Bawm people have been living in the hill regions by practicing a kind of agriculture on the hill-slopes known as ‘Lotuah’(sifting cultivation). They depend on ‘Lotuah’ for their subsistence. So Lo(cultivable hill) cultivation is absolutely vital for the economy of the indigenous people which others are dependent on gardening and horticulture. They produce ginger, papaya, banana, guava, black-berry, cashewnut, jactfruit, mango., etc. As a consequence of improper decisions and programs implemented by the government administration deforestation became the ultimate result. The soil are sterile and eventually it terminates to mountain (unferlite-soil on draught) that brings out famine in these areas inhabited by the most underprivileged Bawms (Pang, Lushai, Khumi, Mro and Khyang). Moreover, the 1997 peace accord, signed by the Bangladesh Govt. and the JSS (Jana Samhati Samity) for bearing political stability or calm situation in the CHT area, could not bring any kind of gain for the Bawm population at large.

THE BAWMS AND THEIR SETTLEMENT HISTORY:

A brief history of the CHT:

Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) had been a terra incognita to the Aryan people or the plainsmen till the Mughal period and the invasion of British colonial rulers. The hill dweller and unbridled freedom Kuki-Chin nation or Kuki group (Bawm, Pangkhua, Lushai, Khumi, Mro, Khyang) had too remained as unknown aboriginal to the so-called plain people. Before the coming of the kuki group, the inhospitable land remained undefiled, unploughed and unpeopled. The kuki group, who were fascinated by the wild beasts gathered hills and jungles, lush green valleys and numerous rivers and streams, first came and discovered the terrain. They, afterwards, settled and inhabited the entire tracts. Till British invasion, the entire regions of the hills were predominantly inhabited by the kukis. In an initial period of their settlement, the CHT was known as ‘Hunting ground’ of the kuki-chin that means the land of the kuki-Chin nation. The Bengali historian Shree Gopal Halder also substantiated this reality in his book 'History of Bengali Literature’ in page 141 that… the CHT is the land of the Kuki-Chin nation. During British annexation, the CHT was also known as 'Karpas Mahal' by the Bengal and the British administration. According to the Bangladesh government Chittagong was definitely incorporated into the Mughal empire in 1666. Although Shaishta Khan, the Mughal governor of Bengal, incorporated in 1666, the empire could not penetrate into and bring the CHT under its control. CHT was, at that time, under the control of freedom Kuki group and the land remained ultra vires till British invasion. On 1st august,1860, accordingto Bengal Government Actxxii 1860 the hill area was seperated from the Chittagong district due to the Kukis rebellion and ceated the new district( W.W. Hunter,p.7 & Satter,P.135). Bengal was incorporated into the Mughal empire in1576, it was ruled independently of the central government within ten years of the death in 1707, of the last significant Mughal emperor, Aurangajeb. By that time, the wealth of the region had attracted the interest of the European powers, which had begun their penetration of India in1757. The British India Company annexed Bengal in 1760 until the independence of India and Pakistan. The CHT, historically, is a segment of Chin National Territory (Chin-Lushai Land) which was ruled British India Joined the India government till 1947. The British ruled Chin Territory together with India and Burma till 1937 from British India. In 1937, the British divided its administration into two parts, known as British Burma and British India for its administration convenience. Thus, one part of Chin Territory was ruled from British India and another part fell under the rule of British Burma. This has separated Chin Territory into tow parts. Again, on 15^th August in 1947 the CHT had, due to the partition of sub-continent on the basis of tow nation theory, been completely segregated from the main stream of the territory. And the CHT was, thus, incorporated into the East Pakistan without the informed consent of the Kuki people. Since the Bangladesh gained its independence, they have been considered part of that country's territory. The Chin National Territory (Chinland) is, today, situated in western part of Burma (now Chinland), northeastern part of India (now Mizoram), and southeastern part of Bangladesh (now CHT). Before British annexed it in 1890, Chinland was an independent country with its own administrative structure, religion, and culture since time immemorial.The Chin people call the Chin hill of Burma as Lairam, while the Bawm people call (called) the CHT as Lairam (now Bawmram). Again, by 18th century both Lushai hills (now Mizoram) and the CHT were known as Kukiland by the plainsmen. It is evident that the CHT had, once, been a part and parcel of the Chin heartland.

 The Bawms (Kuki group);

The Kuki group in the CHT are, today, known as Chin in Burma and Mizo in India. The Mizo hills are inhabited by a group of tribes including Lushais, Hmars, Pawis, Lakhers, Paihtes and Raltes. They are generally known as Mizos. Although Mizo is a generic term meaning a high Lander (A.Biswas 1985). All the Chin or Mizo groups are known as Kuki by the Aryans. According to R.Vanlawma 'The Mizo group of people who occupy the hill areas between India and Burma are called by Burmese as Chin and by the Bengalese or Indian as Kuki. Chin or Mizo people in the CHT are consist of six tribes introducing themselves as various names viz. Bawm (Lai), Pangkhua, Lushai, Khumi, Mru, Khyang. In the recent past, all the Mizo or Chin people in the CHT were known as Kuki by the Bengali and the Chakma. Although they have, in course of time, been split into various septs and segregated from the main heartland, they still live closely with each other in harmony. The Bawm people always comprise of all Kuki group( Sunthla and Panghawi). According to them (Bawm), the Bawmzo or Bawm comprised of all the Kuki group or the ethnic group people who belong to Chin  or Mizo and who are linguistically described as Kuki-Chin. An ancient historical noted that the similar tribes of Lai, Pang, Lushai, Mro, Khumi, Khyang are belonging to  both Sunthla and Panghawi clans. So, the Bawm  has been comprised of tow main clan of Sunthla and Panghawi .The term 'Bawm' means unity or united tribes and 'Zo' means highland. The term Bawmzo, therefore, means the united people of highland. In fine, The people of highland who have, from various septs belonging to the Chin, become in oneness or in unity are, in fact, called Bawmzo or Bawm. The all tracts of the Bawm populated or dwelling region are (were) known as Bawmram (former Lairam) or Bawmland by the Bawm people.  The Kuki tribe scattered throughout the CHT, but a majority of them live in Bandarban district. Most of the Kuki group can now be found in the upper most and the eastern most hill region of the entire CHT such as Kiukarotlang (Keokradong), Chimbuktlang, Chinchirmoitlang (Tajindong), Sippitlang (Ramjumpahar), Tatpawngtlang, Sajek Valley and etc. The hill dwellers include the Lushai, the Pangkhua and the Bawm. They are never attracted to the valleys and their villages are nearly always found on the hill tops and the spurs of hll. The Mro, The Khumi, the Khying are generally found in the traditional areas on the lower crests of hills (Loffler,1986).The Kukis were in the past, wandering about one tract to another in search of the fartile land and to get rid of mautam famine. The Bawm litterateur Pu Zirkung Shahu designated them as forest wandering tribe. The Kukis are designated as free hill tribe, Bawm, Pangkhua, Lushai are particular by Lorenz G. Loffler and as Tongtha (child of hill) by Cap. T. H. Lewin. they were also known as head hunting tribe by intruders. They never pay the tex that levied by the British administration. Lewin mentioned that Mru and Khumi pay tribute to Bohmang. But The reports of the British administrator like T.H.Lewin and his successors in the hill areas contained several ethnographic errors regarding the minority Kukis. Since the British could not contact directly and had no good relation with the Kuki group, The administration tried to contact with the Kukis through the majority group so-called Arakanese group and their chiefs. So, Lorenz G. Loffler asserts that both authors (T.H. Lewin & Hutchinson) dealt mainly with the larger groups residing in the major valleys: The Chakma, the Marma, the Tripura. Less information is offered on the smaller groups: the Mru and the Khumi, the Bawm and the Pangkhua, the Khyang and the Sake.

Settlement history of the Bawms (kuki group):

Zo (Chin) people migrated from western China-Tibet to the Valley of Chindwin and Irrawaddy and then to the Kalay-Kabaw-Myittha valleys. The earliest people Kuki group (Mizo or Chin), moved into the hill tracts around 14th century. According to the book 'The Structure of Chin Society' written by F.K. Lehman, a senior professor at the Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, U.S.A, in chapter 1, A.D 1397, we areas around in 14th century from the Chin hill first hear of the Shan fortress city of Kalay (the Burmese Kalemyo)….we do not know , of course whether the Chin of these plains were ,as LUCE has suggested, pushed up into the hills. Though he could not ascertain how and when the Mizo group (Chin) were pushed up in the hills, it appeared that the Shan occupied the area after the Mizo group left the areas. So, we can presume that the Mizo groups enter in the hills in or about 1400 A.D. (R.Vamlawma: Zalen Cabin) It is very obvious from the opinions of the Chin historians like F. K. Lehman and LUCE that the Mizo group movement in the up hill regions seem to have been around 14th century. It can be presumed that the Chin people moved into the Lushai hills and CHT around 14th century. It is assumed that the movement of the Kuki groups in the CHT was not in synchronization. According to other English writer the Bawms(laimi) came to the CHT in the month of October in 1338 from Chin Hills. Anthropologist Lorenz G. Loffler delineated in his map that the Bawms (Lai) and the Lushais moved to the CHT via Mizoram from the adjoining areas of Haka (capital town of Chinheartland). The Khumis and the Mrus came from Kaladan of the northern Arakan (Lower Chinland) in 17th century. T.H. Lewin wrote in 1870 that the Mru and Khumi came to the Chittagong hills District two generations ago. The Masho (Mro) settled in the north arakan-southern Zo country during 11th century. One Mro was king of arakan during the 14th century, which suggest that they were powerful.The Lakher came in the CHT around 17th century. The Kuki’s movement in the CHT was thought to have been in three phases. At the very early of their movement, they (the eastern hunting and sylvan tribes Bawm, Panghkua, Lushai) came and occupied the tracts by hunting wild beasts and collecting fruits and roots around 14th century. In the second phase, due to Mautam and thingtam famine, they moved to the fertile land and cultivable deep forest of the hill with a view to settle by practicing Lotuah (sifting cultivation) and domestication. In the third phase they (Khumi, Mro) poured into the hills along with the Arakanese group (Chakma, Marma) around 17^th century during Burmese war. But Hutchinson opined that they are(Mro and Khumi)  the earliest inhabitants in this district. Among the Kuki group, the movement of the Khyang in the hill areas is not certainly known, but many rivers in the hill areas signified in Khyang language namely- Kassalong, Assalong, Massalong, Suvolong, Kyasolong, Only the Khyangs call the river as 'Long'. So, it is presumed that they moved in the hill areas earlier than those of the Arakanese and Tripura groups. It is presumed from the thesises of some Bawm degree holders, the Bawm movement lasted till 17th century. To their statements a few number of Bawm entered in the hill tracts areas even in the 17th century. They mentioned some Bawm enterd in the CHT led by Liankung Bawi or Chief. Z. Hmunga wrote, Van Hnuai thlirh, the father of Liankung Bawi or Chief, the successor of Bawm came from Chin Hills of Burma and settled in CHT, Bangladesh inhabiting 'Uiphum tlangdung'. According to Aryan people (Bengali), most of the tribal people migrated from areas now in Burma between 15th and the middle 19^th centuries. Bengali annalists and writers like Dr. Abdur Rab, Professor of the Department of Geography and environment of the University of Dhaka and Dr. Mizanur Rahaman Shelly, Chairman of Center for Development Research, Bangladesh (CDRB) and Editor of ASIAN AFFAIRS, hold a firm substantiation as to the earliest settlement of the Kuki group in the hill region in the book of 'Oh Hill! Oh Chittagong!! : the souvenir of the CHT issue. .To their statements it is evident that before the Aryans and the plain tribal groups intruded and settled, the easterly hunting and forest wandering sylvan tribes belonging to the Kuki group had already settled in the rugged terrain of the hill tract. t As they have assumed the Kuki group movement have been aruond 13th or 14 th century. The plain people started to contact with them in Mughal period around 17th– 18th century. In addition to the Kuki group, all the other tribal people are comparatively new settlers in the hill areas. The plain people who could merely penetrate in the hills, were known as novus homo and intruder to the Kuki group. After being contacted, the plain people coined them as ‘Kuki’ which they meant 'ferocious' or 'savage'. But it is not certain as to the coinage of the term Kuki and whether it really meant 'savage'. Because, the term or ward 'Kuki' is neither of Bengali nor Chakma. But anthropologist and linguist Dr. Grierson noted that ‘the term kuki is of Assam use or Bengali origin of some antiquity’.

As historical facts have deduced ‘the earliest people to move into the area seem to have been the kuki group (viz. Bawm, Pangkhua, Lushai, Khumi, Mro, Khyang).The second phase was opened by the movement of the Tripura group (viz. Riang, Tripua tribes), and the last movement was made by the Arakanese group (viz. Marma, Chakma tribes).According to Prof. Perrie Bassaignet, Head of Sociology Department of Dhaka University and Hutchinson 'the different tribes belonging to the kuki group appear to be earliest arrivals in the area now known as the CHT. They yielded to and were driven to north-east by the invasion of the Chakma who had gained settlement in the southern portion of the district of Chittagong, but who, during the time of the Burmese wars, were ousted by the Marmas from Arakan and forced to enter the Hill Tracts, while their former possessions were absorbed by the Marmas'. Analysing the historical records of the CHT, it is known that the Kukis were driven or pushed up by the Arakanese group by the assistance of British ruler and the then Administrations. For instance, Chakma chief Harish Chandra, with the collaboration of Captain T.H.Lewin, fought against the Kuki people in 1871-72. In reality, the kukis had to move in the uphill regions of the CHT with the invasion of the British which was historically known as Chin-Lushai Expedition. According to the historical facts, the Kukis, after being settled in the CHT, had never been driven or conquered by other valley-living tribal peoples or Bengalis. But they fought each one another for clan supremacy. For this reason, they were, in the recent past, known as internecine groups in the CHT. The Bengali movement began in the later 17th century. According to Dr. Shelly The Bengali movement into the CHT date back to the 17th century when braving the natural disadvantages, a small number of Bengal’s made their abodes in the inhospitable terrain of the region on an invitation of the Chakma chief. So, it is perspicuous that the Kuki group in the CHT are the first inhabitant and autochthon of the CHT. The others are, according to various Bengali writers and historians, new comers or intruders.