Rakhaine an ethnic community inhabiting the coastal areas of Patuakhali, Borguna and Cox’s Bazar, have migrated to Bangladesh from Myanmar before the formation of these two contemporary countries. Only a small fraction of the Rakhaine population is in Bangladesh where the major portion of them are in our neighbouring state Myanmar.
The Rakhaine community migrated first in the late 18th century.
The world 'Rakhain' is derived from a Pali word arakhah which means Raksho or Rakshok or (protector). It is believed that they were the inhabitants of ancient kingdom of Magadha and later migrated to Rokhong, Rokhaingpi, Arkhang, Rosang, Rakhainpray or Arakan. These immigrants were known to the local people as Magadhi or Magh. The word was referred by a saint named Assang Nagiddha about three thousand years back in a stone inscription discovered in Arakan.
The Rakhaine language is closely related to and generally mutually intelligible with Burmese. The modern Rakhaine script utilizes the Burmese alphabet. The Rakhaine community and the local Bengali population developed a unique dialect through which they could communicate. The Rakhaine people were able to preserve their culture, language and religion here.
Water festival is observed by the Rakhaine community. The boys and girls splash water on each other. The biggest community festival of Rakhaine is “Sangrai”.
The Rakhine population in Cox’s Bazar is decreasing due to the oppression and land grabbing of local influential people. Also people are forced to leave their ancestral home due to the threats of Rohinga criminals. With a Rohingya refugee camp set up on their ancestral land in Dadundagya Rakhine Para, they are now living a tough life in Chowdhury Para Beri Badh area of Teknaf. They live in houses made of plastic sheets with no proper toilet facilities. They do not have safe drinking water either.
Written by Souradeep Chakma
designed by Aradhya Chakma
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