Features - Editor - 17 June 2008
Chakma – An Ancient Tribe in a Modern World
The Chakma tribe, also known as Changmas, are considered to be the largest tribe occupying the Chittagong Hill Tracts region of Bangladesh, as well as in India, where they have been settled for many generations. They have their own unique historical traditions, culture, folklore and language of Eastern Indo-Aryian origin, with the vast majority of Chakmas being followers of the Hinayana sect of Theravada Buddhism. Traditionally ruled by a king, these days the position of Chakma king – currently Devasish Roy - is more of a symbolic nature.
