#illridewithyou: Bijoy Dibos in CHT
by Kabita Chakma for AlalODulal.org.
Perhaps the spirit of Bijoy Dibosh can rekindle the hearts of millions of Bangladeshis to do what is honourable. Continue reading “#illridewithyou: Bijoy Dibos in CHT”
Category: Indigenous
First Chakma Film: Mor Thengari
By Debdulal Munna, translated by AlalODulal
The name of the movie is ‘Mor Thengari’. The language is Chakma. Continue reading “First Chakma Film: Mor Thengari”
Bravo my Santhal, Orao and Munda brothers and sisters!
Bravo my Santhal, Orao, and Munda brothers and sisters!
by Ahmed Badall for Alal O Dulal
[Translated by the Alal O Dulal Editorial Collective]
For ages now the ‘civilized’ Bengali gentry have been grabbing lands from the Santhals of Dinajpur. Hundreds and hundreds of Adivasis today are landless and evicted from their homesteads. Continue reading “Bravo my Santhal, Orao and Munda brothers and sisters!”
Do you #SupportCHT?
by Nalifa Mehelin for AlalODulal.org
The distance between Bangladesh and Palestine is 3384.95 miles. Continue reading “Do you #SupportCHT?”
The Survivor
The Survivor
by Ukhengching Marma for AlalODulal
This is the story of an 8 year-old Marma girl, who loves to go school, likes to play with her friends, and lives with her family in a small remote village in Rangamati in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Continue reading “The Survivor”
আমাদের নানু সুষমা বালা চাকমা : এক শহীদের মা
আমাদের নানু সুষমা বালা চাকমা : এক শহীদের মা
By Samari Chakma, Originally published in ThotKata
আচ্ছা নানু তোমার বয়স এখন কত?
‘জানিনা। আমাদের জন্মের বছর তারিখ কি মা বাবারা লিখে রেখেছিল? তবে মনে হয় আমার বয়স হবে এখন আশি বা তার বেশী।’
Continue reading “আমাদের নানু সুষমা বালা চাকমা : এক শহীদের মা”
Apsari Chakma: Life in the School Room
When I was very little my mother used to tell me all kinds of bedtime fairytale stories. I used to think that the fairy princesses from these stories were supremely happy and content. You could say, my life now is the exact opposite of their lives.
Life in the School Room
by Apsari Chakma, translated by Tibra Ali for AlalODulal.org Continue reading “Apsari Chakma: Life in the School Room”
My Own Private Palestine
My Own Private Palestine
by Naeem Mohaiemen for AlalODulal.org (originally published under a pen name in Daily Star)
Imagine a country where troubles started with British rulers. Drawing lines, separating people, making “country.” Continue reading “My Own Private Palestine”
When Rapists Are Bengali, When Rape Is A State Weapon For Ethnic Cleansing
“Our struggle for self-determination and autonomy, meaning the struggle since 80’s decade, rape has been used by Bengali military and civilian men / administration / state as a weapon. Continue reading “When Rapists Are Bengali, When Rape Is A State Weapon For Ethnic Cleansing”
Tandra Chakma: Justice for Sabita and some related issues
Justice for Sabita and some related issues
By Tandra Chakma. Translated by Tibra Ali for AlalODulal.org
According to UN Women 25th of February is “Orange Day.” Every year this day is observed around the world as part of the campaign calling for end of violence against women. Continue reading “Tandra Chakma: Justice for Sabita and some related issues”
আদিবাসী শিশু পড়বে নিজ ভাষাতেই
একুশের সংবাদ: আদিবাসী শিশু পড়বে নিজ ভাষাতেই
by Biplob Rahaman for AlalODulal.org
কিছুদিন আগে বিশিষ্ট আদিবাসী গবেষক, চাকমা রাজা দেবাশীষ রায়ের সঙ্গে আলাপ-চারিতা হচ্ছিল আদিবাসী শিশুর মাতৃভাষায় লেখাপড়ার বিষয়ে। Continue reading “আদিবাসী শিশু পড়বে নিজ ভাষাতেই”
সুপ্রিয় তালুকদার: মায়ানমারে চম্পকনগরের পথে
মায়ানমারে চম্পকনগরের পথে
সুপ্রিয় তালুকদার for alaodulal.org
[ বংশানুক্রমে জানা যায় যে চাকমারা চম্পকনগর নামক স্থান থেকে পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রাম ও তৎসংলগ্ন অঞ্চলে এসেছে। কোন চম্পকনগর থেকে এসেছে তা নিয়ে মতভেদ থাকলেও নৃবিজ্ঞান, বিখ্যাত গবেষকদের মন্তব্য, প্রাপ্ত নির্ভরযোগ্য তথ্য এবং মায়ানমারের ইতিহাস বিশ্লেষণে আমি নিশ্চিত ছিলাম যে চাকমারা মায়ানমারের চম্পকনগর থেকে এসেছে। Continue reading “সুপ্রিয় তালুকদার: মায়ানমারে চম্পকনগরের পথে”
Thine Kingdom Is Mine
by Ikhtisad for AlaloDulal.org
***
Nazrul died today, newspaper says,
Spelt his name wrong, common mistake:
Unimportant, not an op-ed or commentary,
What does it matter anyway?
Father is well and mother survives,
My abode keeps me warm –
Veritable ivory tower, for far away
It is from the damned land.
Continue reading “Thine Kingdom Is Mine”
The Quest for Indigenous Identity in Bangladesh, 1993-2013
“Historically, the so called ‘tribal’, non-Bengali ethnic groups – i.e. those who wish to be known as indigenous peoples (IPs) – of Bangladesh have been at the forefront of various struggles against feudal and colonial forms of subjugation, oppression and exploitation. However, the emergence of the post-colonial nation-states – first Pakistan, and then Bangladesh – did not necessarily lead to the emancipation of the IPs.” Continue reading “The Quest for Indigenous Identity in Bangladesh, 1993-2013”
The “Peace” Accord that led nowhere: 16 years ago, today
16 years ago
1997. Shantu Larma and Sheikh Hasina let go a peace dove into the sky to celebrate the 1997 CHT “Peace” Accord. Continue reading “The “Peace” Accord that led nowhere: 16 years ago, today”
Prashanta Tripura: Open letter to Prof. Anisuzzaman (‘nrigoshthi’ debate)
‘Even you, sir?’: On my open letter to Professor Anisuzzaman
by Prashanta Tripura for AlalODulal.org
I. Background: A Seminar
‘The Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University urges increased intercommunication’ would be an English translation of part of the headline of a Banglanews24.com report on a seminar held at the premises of DU on October 26, 2013. Continue reading “Prashanta Tripura: Open letter to Prof. Anisuzzaman (‘nrigoshthi’ debate)”
তন্দ্রা চাকমা: তাইন্দং মাটিরাঙ্গা, সাবা এবং কিছু অনূভুতি
তাইন্দং মাটিরাঙ্গা, সাবা এবং কিছু অনূভুতি
তন্দ্রা চাকমা
ঘটনাটা ঘটেছিল ৩রা আগষ্ট ২০১৩ তে। প্রথম জেনেছিলাম ফেসবুকের মাধ্যমে। কি ঘটেছিল? বিডি নিউজ ২৪ এর মাধ্যমে জানা যায়: গত ৩ অগাস্ট মাটিরাঙ্গা উপজেলার তাইন্দং এর ক্রসিং এলাকায় কামাল নামে এক বাঙালিকে অপহরণরের গুজব ছড়িয়ে পড়ার ঘণ্টা-দুয়কেরে মধ্যে একদল বাঙালি সংঘবদ্ধ হয়ে কয়কেটি গ্রামে হামলা চালায়। ওই হামলায় ৩৫টি বাড়ি ও একটি বৌদ্ধ মন্দির পুড়িয়ে দেয়া হয়। ভাংচুর করা হয় আরো প্রায় তিন শতাধিক বাড়ি, লুটপাট করা হয় মূল্যবান সামগ্রী ও টাকা।
Continue reading “তন্দ্রা চাকমা: তাইন্দং মাটিরাঙ্গা, সাবা এবং কিছু অনূভুতি”
The Step-children of Bangladesh
The Step-children of Bangladesh
by Hana Shams Ahmed for AlalODulal.org
Taindong union in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh has recently come under attack by ruthless land-grabbers, the Government-cum-military sponsored settlers in this hilly region of the country. With this attack it has become clear for the nth time that the ‘Peace’ Accord in 1997 signed between the government and the Shanti Bahini (peace force) rebels has failed to bring peace for the Jumma people of the three hill districts. Continue reading “The Step-children of Bangladesh”
Is it Eid today in Matiranga?
Is it Eid today in Matiranga?
By Tibra Ali for AlalODulal.org
Is it Eid today? Is it the end of Ramadan?
I remember when I was a child what excitement it was to spot the sliver of new moon at the end of Ramadan that would spell Eid the next day! For a Bangladeshi Muslim child there couldn’t be a more fun day than Eid. Continue reading “Is it Eid today in Matiranga?”
Bangladesh is not ours
“I feel fortunate to be a member of the Chakma community, a minority group of Bangladesh, but when such attacks occur, I sometimes feel unfortunate to be a Bangladeshi.”
Continue reading “Bangladesh is not ours”
Tears of a Pahari Woman
“If today, forty years after the atrocities of Pakistani soldiers and their Razakar collaborators in the Independence war 1971, there can be our rallying cry for justice amongst the people of Bangladesh, a cry heard across the world, then why cannot the Pahari people demand the same justice and equality for themselves today? Why, in this Independent Bangladesh, do some citizens have to withstand military rule imposed indefinitely?”
Continue reading “Tears of a Pahari Woman”
An Adivasi speaks: What brings me to Shahbag, what pulls me back from it
The first time I visited Shahbag, I was disturbed by a few slogans, such as, “Tumi key, ami key – Bangali, Bangali” (“Who are you, who am I – Bangali, Bangali”). I love the first part of the slogan “Tomar amar thikana, Padma Meghna Jamuna” (Your address and my address, Padma, Meghna, Jamuna – referring to the largest rivers of Bangladesh), but not being a Bengali, I am unable to chant the second half of the slogan. As an advocate of the rights of the indigenous (Adivasi) peoples of Bangladesh it is impossible not to be bothered by this slogan. Continue reading “An Adivasi speaks: What brings me to Shahbag, what pulls me back from it”
Shahbagh: Who are you? Who Am I?
Who are you, who am I?/ Chakma, Marma, Bangali.
Who are you, who am I?/ Garo, Saontal, Bangali.
In Surya Sen’s Bengal/ no space for racism
In Pritilata’s Bengal/ no space for ethnic hate
In Titumir’s Bengal/ no space for fascism
In Rokeya’s Bengal/ no space for patriarchy
In Lalan Fakir’s Bengal/ no space for fascism
In Freedom Fighter’s Bengal/ no space for Rajakars
In Freedom Fighter’s Bengal/ no space for Looters
Continue reading “Shahbagh: Who are you? Who Am I?”
Shahbag slogans: inclusion of diversity
শাহবাগের আন্দোলন শুরু হয়েছিল মাত্র কয়েকজনের …
Photo : The bloggers who called for the Shahbag protest . source: facebook
Shahbag slogans: inclusion of diversity
– Muktasree Sathi Chakma
The Shahbag protest, demanding the death sentence for the war criminals of 1971’s independence war, began on February 5, 2013. The protest welcomed diverse groups, despite their distinct identities and, through its inclusive nature, demonstrated that the sun is finally rising on Bangladesh. Continue reading “Shahbag slogans: inclusion of diversity”
The male gaze: ‘Hey, it’s a girl! and it’s a hilly chick!!’
Ever since I had taken admission to the university, I could feel dozens of eyes were following me. Be it while I walk down the corridors of the university library, or loitering around the faculty buildings. The eyes were gazing at me with an expression that they found something peculiar.
Many of the girls, of course Bengali, said they have nearly same experience for being a girl. But, my experience was totally different from them. ‘Hey, it’s a girl! and it’s a hilly chick!!,’ whispered the eyes among themselves. Moments after, the eyes get voices in commanding physiques. And the sentence remain almost the same to each of the voices, ‘I want to be a friend of yours. Cause I am very much interested about “upajatis”.’
Continue reading “The male gaze: ‘Hey, it’s a girl! and it’s a hilly chick!!’”
Untouchable, 2012
2012: In an unprecedented manifestation of hatred, the lawyers of Joypurhat Bar Samity asked Jatiya Adivasi Parishad (JAP) to replace 26 water glasses which some Adivasi people used to drink water on Thursday.
Lawyers unleash unprecedented hatred against Adivasis
Continue reading “Untouchable, 2012”
Sathi Chakma: After Rangamati, Questions that need to be answered
Questions that need to be answered
by Muktasree Sathi Chakma (Sep 24, 2012)
While my 68 years old father and my 65 years old mother remained awake for the last two days in fear that some of the Bengali settlers (who can kill people only for the reason that you are indigenous) would attack our house, I am attending a Human Rights training and learning how to be a human rights activist. What an irony, isn’t it?
Continue reading “Sathi Chakma: After Rangamati, Questions that need to be answered”
Rangamati Race Riots: Bengalis attack Jumma
The Waste Land of May
The Waste Land of May
by Prashanta Tripura
(With apologies to T. S. Eliot)
April is no longer the cruelest month, at least
Not for me,
Not in the hills of Chittagong
Where May is the new month of maximum cruelty, mixing
Memories of despair and desolation,
And desires for freedom and liberty, breeding
Hatred out of the scorched land, stirring
Deep roots of sorrow, pain and longing.
Continue reading “The Waste Land of May”
CHT Peace Accord: waiting and still waiting
পার্বত্যচুক্তি বাস্তবায়ন : আবার অপেক্ষার পালা
by Hari Kishore Chakma on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at 1:46pm ·
প্রথমেই পার্বত্যচুক্তি বাস্তবায়ন কমিটির আহ্বায়ক সংসদ উপনেতা সৈয়দা সাজেদা চেৌধুরীর পার্বত্যচুক্তি বাস্তবায়ন নিয়ে দেড় বছরের ব্যবধানে দুইটি বক্তব্য :
১. পার্বত্যচুক্তি বাস্তবায়নের আলোচনা একদম শেষ পর্যায়ে। এ নিয়ে অনেক আলোচনা হয়েছে। এবার আমরা ফলাফল চাই। (সূত্র: প্রথম আলো, শেষ পৃষ্ঠা, ২৭ ডিসেম্বর ২০১০ ইং, স্থান : খাগড়াছড়ি)
২. সরকার ত্ত জনসংহতি সমিতির (জেএসএস) মথ্যে চুক্তি বাস্তবায়নের বিষয়ে কোনো মতভিন্নতা নেই। আমরা একই লক্ষ্যে পেৎৌছাতে চাই।সেই উদ্দেশ্যে আলাপ-আলোচনার মাধ্যমে আমরা একেবারে শেষ পর্যায়ে পেৎৌছে গেছি। (সূত্র: প্রথম আলো, তৃতীয় পৃষ্ঠা, ২৯ মে ২০১২ইং, স্থান: ঢাকা) Continue reading “CHT Peace Accord: waiting and still waiting”
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