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Indigenous Exclusive, Dhaka (2025)

24/12/2023

Join this awareness project by Desperately seeking Bandarban - DSB and Indigenous Exclusive to create a safe space for the indigenous women in the Hill Tracts.

Desperately seeking Bandarban - DSB in collaboration with Indigenous Exclusive supported by বহ্নিশিখা Bonhishikha - unlearn gender for ‘Women Gaining Ground’ facilitating this awareness project "Don't Click my Picture, without my Permission" to raise awareness against unauthorized photography of indigenous women, a practice disrupting their daily lives.

Our in-person initiative involved placing signboards in Bandarban's tourist areas, guiding visitors on the importance of consent and understanding respectful photography.

Simultaneously, our online advocacy team Desperately Seeking Bandarban, including Indigenous Exclusive, Tourist groups showcased digital contents shedding light on photography issues, consent, and violence against indigenous women. Let's leverage social media to spread awareness far and wide!

From August to December, we partnered with Tourist Police to ensure a comprehensive approach. Thanks to Visual Archive for the video!

Join us on this journey to foster respect and creating safe space for the indigenous women. Together, let's make a difference! 🌏✨

20/11/2023

Have you ever thought how it would feel when you notice your fellow indigenous women’s naked picture showcased in an exhibition? Indigenous women themselves feel so embarrassed that they do not feel safe anymore. Some people laugh without knowing the reason behind it. Some people get the wrong information through the exhibition about indigenous women. Most of the time, content creators take their pictures without their consent.

This illustration depicts the experience of the indigenous women feeling unsafe and embarrassed while looking at the pictures in the exhibition.

Desperately seeking Bandarban - DSB in collaboration with Indigenous Exclusive supported by বহ্নিশিখা Bonhishikha - unlearn gender for ‘Women Gaining Ground’ facilitating this awareness project “Don’t Click My Picture, without my Permission”. Throughout this project, we will highlight the issues faced by indigenous women and provide awareness regarding them.

আপনি কি কখনও ভেবে দেখেছেন যে কোনো প্রদর্শনীতে আদিবাসী নারীর নগ্ন ছবি প্রদর্শিত হলে একজন আদিবাসী নারীর কেমন লাগবে? আদিবাসী মহিলারা নিজেরাই এতটাই বিব্রত বোধ করেন যে তারা আর নিরাপদ বোধ করেন না। অনেকে এর পেছনের কারণ না জেনেই হাসে। কিছু মানুষ প্রদর্শনীর মাধ্যমে আদিবাসী নারীদের নিয়ে ভুল তথ্য পায়। বেশিরভাগ সময়, কন্টেন্ট ক্রিয়েতর সম্মতি ছাড়াই তাদের ছবি তোলেন।

এই চিত্রটিতে প্রদর্শনীতে ছবি দেখার সময় আদিবাসী নারীদের অনিরাপদ ও বিব্রত বোধ করার অভিজ্ঞতা তুলে ধরা হয়েছে ।

Desperately seeking Bandarban - DSB এবং Indigenous Exclusive যৌথযোগে বহ্নিশিখা Bonhishikha - unlearn gender এর ‘Women Gaining Ground’ সহযোগিতায় এই সচেতনতামূলক প্রকল্প “Don’t Click My Picture, without my Permission” পরিচালনা করবেন। এই প্রকল্পের মাধ্যমে আমরা আদিবাসী নারীদের সমস্যাগুলো তুলে ধরব এবং সে বিষয়ে সচেতনতা সৃষ্টি করব।

04/10/2023

Bangladesh’s professional boxer Sura Krishna Chakma defeated Mahendra Bahadur Chand of Nepal on Saturday night, at the Beximco Xcel Boxing Championship 2.0 Fight Night, winning the ABF Super Lightweight Intercontinental Championship title.

With 16 participants from various countries- Bangladesh, Nepal, India, Russia, Turkey and France, InterContinental Dhaka saw 8 bouts in 6 different categories.

The most anticipated match was saved for last, the rematch between Sura Krishna and Mahendra. After 8 suspenseful rounds, Sura Krishna emerged victorious as Mahendra eventually lost in points.

Sura Krishna Chakma has proven himself as one of the best boxers in the country, by making history and becoming the country's first international boxing champion.

We congratulate him on his win and wish him the best of luck.

30/09/2023

In recent times, we have been observing that there are emergence of content creators, photographers and videographers visiting Chittagong Hill Tracts and documenting the lifestyles of the hill people on social media. But, do we realise in how many ways are we assaulting hill people while doing this documentation? Do we keep in mind how hill people might feel getting clicked by a random photographer while they are doing their own daily chores ? Are we asking for their consent before clicking their pictures ?

These are the common questions we should ask ourselves before we start documenting them. Chittagong Hill Tracts is a home to different indigenous communities in Bangladesh. They live in the hilly regions. It is also a tourist destination. Every year, many people visit Rangamati, Bandarban & Khagrachari. Recently, Hill tracts have become the popular topic among the content creators. The more they create videos or click pictures of Hill tracts, the more viewers and popularity they are gaining. But while doing these attempts, indigenous women are sexually assaulted most of the time by these content creators. These content creators do not bother asking for consent from them.

Desperately seeking Bandarban - DSB in collaboration with Indigenous Exclusive supported by
বহ্নিশিখা Bonhishikha - unlearn gender for ‘Women Gaining Ground’ facilitating this awareness project “Don’t Click My Picture, without my Permission” . Throughout this project, we will highlight the issues faced by indigenous women and provide awareness regarding it.

সাম্প্রতিক সময়ে, সামাজিক যোগাযোগ মাধ্যমে আমরা লক্ষ্য করছি যে পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রামে কন্টেন্ট ক্রিয়েটর , ফটোগ্রাফার এবং ভিডিওগ্রাফারদের আবির্ভাব ঘটেছে এবং পাহাড়ি জনগণের জীবনযাত্রা তুলে ধরচ্ছেন । কিন্তু, এসব করতে গিয়ে আমরা কি বুঝতে পারি কত রকম ভাবে আমরা পাহাড়ি জনগণকে লাঞ্ছিত করছি? আমরা কি খেয়াল রাখি যে পাহাড়ি লোকেরা তাদের নিজের দৈনন্দিন কাজ করার সময় একজন অপরিচিত ফটোগ্রাফারের দ্বারা ছবি তলার সময় কি অনুভব করতে পারে? আমরা কি তাদের ছবি তোলার আগে তাদের সম্মতি চেয়ে
নিই কি ?

আমাদের নিজেদেরকে অবশ্যই প্রশ্নবিদ্ধ করা উচিত ৷ পার্বত্য চট্টগ্রাম বাংলাদেশের বিভিন্ন আদিবাসী সম্প্রদায়ের আবাসস্থল। তারা পাহাড়ি অঞ্চলে বাস করে। এটি একটি পর্যটন কেন্দ্রও বটে। প্রতি বছর রাঙামাটি, বান্দরবান ও খাগড়াছড়িতে বহু মানুষ বেড়াতে আসেন। সম্প্রতি, পার্বত্য অঞ্চলকে নিয়ে কন্টেন্ট ক্রিয়েটরদের মধ্যে জনপ্রিয় বিষয় হয়ে উঠেছে। তারা যত বেশি ভিডিও তৈরি করে বা পার্বত্য অঞ্চলের ছবি তোলে , তারা তত বেশি দর্শক এবং জনপ্রিয়তা অর্জন করে। কিন্তু এই প্রচেষ্টাগুলি করার সময়, আদিবাসী নারীরা বেশিরভাগ সময় এদের দ্বারা যৌন নির্যাতনের এবং উত্যক্তের শিকার হয়ে থাকেন । অধিকাংশ সময় কন্টেন্ট ক্রিয়েটররা তাদের কাছ থেকে সম্মতি নিয়ে থাকেন না।

Desperately Seeking Bandarban এবং Indigenous Exclusive যৌথযোগে Bonhishikha এর ‘Women Gaining Ground’ সহযোগিতায় এই সচেতনতামূলক প্রকল্প “Don’t Click My Picture, without my Permission” পরিচালনা করবেন। এই প্রকল্পের মাধ্যমে আমরা আদিবাসী নারীদের সমস্যাগুলো তুলে ধরব এবং সে বিষয়ে সচেতনতা সৃষ্টি করব।

This illustration is done by Nikan Chakma.

18/09/2023

In recent times, news became viral regarding the murder of a college student Sibley Aiman Sadik whose dismembered body was found in a remote hilly area of Doluchori at 9:30 am on Kodolpur-Ranguniaborder. The primary suspect, Umongching Marma was beaten up by the local Bengali population after snatching him from police custody, resulting in his death. However, surrounding the event, many belligerents intentionally spread a rumor regarding cannibalism by inserting false images of dried-up bones belonging to an unidentified man for the purpose of causing communal riots. Even though the actual body was recovered 13 days later, rumors still remained persistent.

On 3 August 2013, Bengali settlers conducted communal attacks in Matiranga, Khagrachari by burning down houses. This attack was also on the basis of a rumour that a motorbiker Md Kamal Hossain was murdered by the ethnic minority. Even going back further, innocent Jumma people were murdered in 1992 during the Logang Massacre due to the alleged murders of 5 Bengalis. Even though it would have been discarded as a general murder case, the incident was made viral simply due to the fact it was committed by members of the Marma community. Not even Chakma, Tripura, and other distinct minorities were spared from this unjust generalization. Adding to the fact of preexisting racist stereotypes, more people believed in the story. Targeted hatred towards minorities has always put them on marginalization. As hatred towards minorities continues to rise, there is a high risk for communal violence to occur in the near future.

We do not condone the murder of an innocent person however bringing ethnic identity to the murder case in order to exacerbate hatred and committing vigilante justice will never bring progress and prosperity to the society. Creating awareness against false rumors will ensure no such incident will ever take place in the near future.

10/08/2023

Non-stop downpour within the past week has left the district in shambles, with much of the businesses, institutions and housesteads submerged over days. The areas impacted most severely include Balaghata, Fajr Ali Para, Chairman Para, Police Lines area, Chaigya Mahajan Para, Horticulture area, Lalmiya Char area, Hafezghona, Armypara, Kashem Para, Stadium, and Keching Para.

Inundated roads have blocked all vehicular transportation, and frequent power outages and signal disruption could mean that thousands of people are unable to communicate via mobile phones. There are claims of many missing family members too. The risk of landslides also prevails, hence the stranded victims are being rescued and others are encouraged to move into the nearest shelter centre where food, medical assistance and other relief items are being distributed. Army members have also been dispatched to tackle the flood.

Bandarban has recorded 668mm of rainfall in the last seven days, and the situation is expected to exacerbate.

To do your part in helping the victims, please check out the following pages for updates and donation links:

https://www.facebook.com/goribergaan/posts/612973600923195
https://www.facebook.com/groups/desperatelyseekingbandarban

09/08/2023

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples Day 2023

On Ninth of August every year, International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples Day is observed. The theme of the year is Indigenous youths as agents of Change for Self Determination.

In article 3 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People ( UNDRIP) it is that, “Indigenous peoples have the right of self determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.”

Indigenous youths are the torch bearers to tackle the ongoing issues. Creating the opportunity, helping them to explore , navigating the ways forward etc needed among the indigenous youths. In perspective of Bangladesh, indigenous people living in the hills and plain lands are still economically, socially and culturally oppressed and discriminated.

In 1982, The U.N holds the first meeting on indigenous people by forming the U.N Working Group on Indigenous populations of the sub-commission on the promotions and protection of Human Rights.

And in 1995, the first international day of the world’s indigenous people was celebrated by the U.N General Assembly.

22/06/2023

C.H.T- Jummo Underground Bands Community is once again ready to rejuvenate with their upcoming concert ‘Lullaby Lounge’ on 30 June 2023 at the premises of Tribal Cultural Institute Auditorium, Rangamati. The show is going to start from 3 PM onwards. X-Metaphor, Thadar, Reminiscence , Larey, Morphine Cloud, Invocation, Reigns, Phor, Ample, Ahouge etc are going to perform and transform your night with a full bunch of experiencing magical sounds and entertainment. If you are in Rangamati at that time, do not forget to miss this concert at all.

C.H.T - Jummo Underground Bands Community is a community of every Jummo musician from the hill tracts of Bangladesh. They work in promoting the Jummo musicians and bands activities , showcasing the talents of the potentiality in music from CHT.

Event link : https://facebook.com/events/s/lullaby-lounge/782881573278377/

19/06/2023

In the context of Garo Women developing leadership in various fields, Garo Women Leaders Conference 2023 was held in Mymensingh for the first time. Participants were mostly from the Mymensingh region. Various Garo prominent leaders from activism, education, and cultural fields gathered in the conference to share their insights to the participants. They were Sanjeeb Drong, Catherine Daisy Gomes, Pinky Patricia Chiran etc. The conference emphasised on women leadership, women’s rights, education etc. It was organised by Mymensingh Catholic Church and supported by Caritas Mymensingh Region. It was held from 15-16 June.

Source : https://www.facebook.com/100057122215175/posts/760191675894899/?mibextid=cr9u03

29/05/2023

On Sunday, 21 May, "Chittagong Hill Tracts Indigenous Womanifesto" by Supporting People and Rebuilding Communities (SPaRC) was held in Rangamati Zilla Parishad conference centre. The CHT indigenous Womanifesto is a creation, guideline and framework built by the indigenous women of CHT arrange

In this assembly, The Chief of Chakma Circle, Raja Devasish Roy, elucidated various customary laws existing within. He said, "Customary laws are created by the society for the welfare of the people and thus can be rectified along with the change and need of time." The Chief of Chakma Circle also said that women's rights regarding marriage, property inheritance, etc can be ensured and implemented with the cooperation and leading role of the indigenous women leaders of CHT.

In this assembly initiated by SPaRC in Zilla Parishad conference centre, the women activists delivered their speeches regarding the prevalent problems mentioning that negotiation with community specific leaders is mandatory for the amends required in customary laws so that the nuances of the effect of prevalent laws can be properly justified and understood. A deep delving conference took place discussing child marriage laws, child custody and maintenance, relation of famale leaders with circle chief, monetary compensation for mental abuse, female inheritance rights, capacity and skill enhancement of women Karbaris, impacts of mental health, impacts of menstrual health, assisting Headmen and regulations, and many more.

05/03/2023

Imagine that it is two in the morning, the night air deep and heavy with slumber and stillness, except that instead of peaceful sleep you are in severe physical and mental distress due to your breathing problems, and your life-saving inhaler has just run out with no means to get new ones by yourself at this time of the day. For many of us, we can only imagine but unfortunately these are very real stories occurring day-to-day around the world. In fact, what I have just laid out happened in Rangamati not too long ago.

Fortunately for the patient, their idea to ring up “First Care Medicine Delivery Service” during this time quite possibly saved their life.

“Their condition was very serious at that time, I think if we didn’t help them a very unfortunate event could have occurred.” recalls the founder, Jibon Dewan, in our interview. “I am glad we could have been of help during times of panic.”

First Care Medicine Delivery Service is currently a two-man foundation that operates round the clock committed to provide emergency medicine to those in need, charged at only TK.50 per delivery. Their journey began on 29th of January 2023. Behind such noble work are Jibon Dewan, founder and managing director, Ujjol Chakma, co-founder and finance manager, and of course the endless support from their friends and family.

When asked about any difficulties they face, Dewan tells us that it is hard to do all the work 24/7 with only two people at the moment. But as the service is still taking its first steps, they have ample reason to be optimistic about its growth.

“We are delivering in only Rangamati at the moment, but we hope to also spread to the rest of the hilly districts, and then the 64 districts of Bangladesh too someday.”

From Indigenous Exclusive as well, we send our best wishes for their endeavours.

To see more about First Care Medicine Delivery Service, check out their page.

https://www.facebook.com/firstcaremedicine

28/02/2023

As the February month proceeds , Indigenous Exclusive is here with the second edition of Project Ningrong.

28th day presents the word “Village”

Ningrong means sunlight. Throughout this Project Ningrong , our aim is to bring light to the indigenous languages in Bangladesh.

In respect of international mother language day 2023, Project Ningrong will be highlighting the words of various indigenous languages in the month of February.

25/02/2023

As the February month proceeds , Indigenous Exclusive is here with the second edition of Project Ningrong.

25th day presents the word “End”
Ningrong means sunlight. Throughout this Project Ningrong , our aim is to bring light to the indigenous languages in Bangladesh.

In respect of international mother language day 2023, Project Ningrong will be highlighting the words of various indigenous languages in the month of February.

24/02/2023

As the February month proceeds , Indigenous Exclusive is here with the second edition of Project Ningrong.

24th day presents the word “Time”
Ningrong means sunlight. Throughout this Project Ningrong , our aim is to bring light to the indigenous languages in Bangladesh.

In respect of international mother language day 2023, Project Ningrong will be highlighting the words of various indigenous languages in the month of February.

23/02/2023

As the February month proceeds , Indigenous Exclusive is here with the second edition of Project Ningrong.

23rd day presents the word “Sun”
Ningrong means sunlight. Throughout this Project Ningrong , our aim is to bring light to the indigenous languages in Bangladesh.

In respect of international mother language day 2023, Project Ningrong will be highlighting the words of various indigenous languages in the month of February.

22/02/2023

As the February month proceeds , Indigenous Exclusive is here with the second edition of Project Ningrong.

22nd day presents the word “Water”
Ningrong means sunlight. Throughout this Project Ningrong , our aim is to bring light to the indigenous languages in Bangladesh.

In respect of international mother language day 2023, Project Ningrong will be highlighting the words of various indigenous languages in the month of February.

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