The term Jumma (from Jhum cultivation, ),
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 being converted Christians and Muslims. In addition, they have retained some traditional religious practices.
Ethnicity
Below is the population distribution of the Jumma people in Chittagong Hill Tracts, represented in pie chart. The Chakma community forms the majority, followed by the Marma and Tripura people.
History
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.
More than 40,000 Chakma tribals emigrated to Arunachal Pradesh,
India.
Consequently, the Jummas began a grudge against the government due to their distress.
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
Tridev Roy.
Independent Bangladesh
Between 1978 and 1990, the ruling government saw the Jummas 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.
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.
Due to the outbreaks of violence, communal and social unrest, many Jummas fled to the Indian states of
Mizoram and
Tripura, or to
Myanmar.
In 1996, peace negotiations were initiated by then Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina and a peace accord was finalised and formally signed on 2 December 1997.
Culture
The largest cultural festival of these people is
Baisabi. It's the new year festival of the Jumma people. The name has been taken from first three syllables of the new year festival of three major ethics groups in the Chittagong hill tracts:
Baishu of Tripuris,
Shangrai of Marmas and
Biju of Chakmas. The festival is celebrated for three days and typically fells on 12 to 14 April, along with Bengali New Year.
See also
-
Chittagong Hill Tracts conflict
-
Indigenous peoples of Bangladesh
-
Ethnic groups in the Chittagong Hill Tracts
-
Demographics of Bangladesh
