Daily Star, 9 August 2002
Jerome Sarkar
The 9th of August is the International Day for Indigenous People. Prime aim
is to create awareness about tribal people. They need attention by the government
and the people at large. We must remember that we owe a lot to the tribals.
Many of us have grabbed their lands and properties. If they are poor and backward
today, we are also responsible for it. We must now give them their due. The
observation of the day should make us aware and stimulate us to repay our debts
by sharing our assets with our tribal brothers and sisters.
Tribal minority communities live in small groups across Bangladesh. Not long ago, the indigenous people called Adibashis lived in peace and harmony with the nature of this once a very lush green landscape. With the ever increasing population and rising demand for lands, the tribal people such as Garos, Santals, Oraons, Rajbangshis, etc. have lost much of their pristine habitats or lands, trades, culture etc. to the over stretching pressure of majority communities. They have become a vulnerable section.
A baseline study was conducted by RDRS Bangladesh on Adibashis' life and living
condition within its working area in Rangpur-Dinajpur region in northwest part
of Bangladesh. The survey results obtained through on-the-spot study indicate
that the Santals, the Oraons, the Rajbanshis are the major indigenous communities
living in the area.
Education and training: Tribals lag behind others in education and vocational training. Recommendations, therefore, emphasised the need primarily to improve their living condition by creating sources of income for their sustainability, scope for education and vocational training. With this end in view, the 'Education and Training Programme' was launched by RDRS in 2001. 'Group Approach' was adopted to bring the people together, raise awareness and motivate them for their stronger fraternity and sense of unity. The tribal adults have realized and accepted the premise that without unity they cannot rise above the line of poverty and survive as respectable human beings. The idea of small group formation was therefore readily accepted.
Income generating activities: On 7 June 2002, we set off on a journey to visit the RDRS projects for Adibashis and get a first hand picture of the progress of the programme. An inter-active session with a female group of Adibashis namely 'Chotta Chowlia Golapzal Mahila Group' in Bhognagar village of Birganj Upazila under Dinajpur District was organized. From discussion, it was gathered that the Group consisted of 18 female members and their group saving stood at Tk.3,603/=. Three members had already taken loans for investment in farm production.
Martha Murmu, Lolita Soren and others narrated their history that their forefathers owned vast stretches of lands but now their land ownership is rapidly shrinking. They now live and work on lands of others. The womenfolk were seen harvesting maize in one crop field while another group of womenfolk was seen transplanting crop seedlings. Male members are either labourers or self-employed. Nearby one elderly man was weaving a fish net and another was making bamboo baskets. These were their ancestral trades. Handicraft was one of their prime professions but now it is dwindling away very fast.
We visited another Group, namely 'Krishnopur Adivashi Mohila Group' in Thakurgaon, formed in early January 2002. Some group members have joined Adult literacy course. Many of them now can at least write their names. A team of 15 members was attending a sewing class at B.D. Hall, Thakurgaon. It was a 90-day tailoring course. At the end of the course, the trainees would become owners of sewing machines. As per proviso, the members who attended the classes regularly would be eligible to get sewing machines free of cost. The trainees in another class expressed their keen interest to acquire the skills of making jute handicraft items. A strong enthusiasm was visible -- basically to increase their skills for furthering their source of income.
We also visited a Mechanical Training class where a team of 11 Adibashi boys
from different areas of Thakurgaon district were undergoing training at RDRS-run
Training Centre. Mechanical training included motorcycle and bicycle repairing.
The boys also suggested for power-tiller repairing training course, which they
said, would open up another area of opportunities for them. A power-tiller machine,
as they reported, can be adopted to serve as "autorickshaw" "speed-boat"
and "wheat crushing machine", etc.
depending on and matching with seasonal needs. This indicates their verve, spirit and urge to learn and open up scopes for further income generation and upgradation of living condition.
Traditions and culture: Continuity and promotion of cultural norms and values
is an inalienable urge of any race or society. Tribal culture is rich but is
fading away fast due to neglect, isolation, lack of opportunities, scope and
support. Tribals on their own cannot do anything significant to enrich and maintain
their cultural heritages. They need assistance of others. To foster and revitalise
their traditions, culture and values, a 4-day training course was organized
by RDRS Atowari Training Centre, Panchagarh. Eighteen Adibashi participants
from different areas attended the course during the first week of June 2002.
The training invigorated the participants with hopes and aroused their spirit
to revive the almost forgotten and dying culture. The participants were back
with a fillip to form groups to sustain positive values and enrich their culture
inheritances. By promoting their folk songs, traditional dance with the playing
of traditional musical instruments, an attempt was made to revive and preserve
their lost heritage. Participants categorically stated that at any cost Adibashi
culture should be preserved for true existence of Adibashis. In order to retrieve
and enliven the cultural heritage of Adibashis, their cultural activities may
be audio and video taped and broadcast more and more on Radio and Television
by the government agencies, private commercial entities and NGOs.
Dissemination of information: Orientation programmes on primary health care, establishment of vegetable gardens, practice of homestead farming, use of safe drinking water and sanitary latrines, efficient use of micro-credit facilities, employment and other income generation activities are to be organised.
We came across another Adibashi (Santal) village in Birganj. All were serene and peaceful. Air was so refreshing. Houses were surrounded by green trees. Fields were filled with maize crop. The maize grows well in the locality. Sugar cane fields were also seen. A discussion session was initiated with a group of Adibashis. Interestingly, no sex abuse exists among tribal people, no tortures/oppression of women was reported. However, it is sad to admit that sometimes the tribal females become victims of sexual harassment of some sadist members of majority community. In a tribal community, women are independent at home and outside. They have no dowry system. So there exists no violation against women.
In case of sickness, they depend on traditional herbal medicines. They cannot afford to buy medicines marketed by commercial pharmacists. This has rather become a boon for them. They derive their healthiness from Mother Nature.
Where do they stand? So far, very little has been done by the government and the NGOs for the tribal people. But whatever little opportunity came their way, tribals took full advantage of it. They are keen to improve their lot but they do not have resources. They need help of others. A lot is to be done. Tribals are still a very backward community. The government and NGOs, therefore should take some practical measures to improve the lot of the tribals. Tribals are peace loving. By promoting their interests, we shall virtually promote peace and serenity for ourselves too.
Suggestions: a) The Adibashis need to be involved in the mainstream development
activities; b) Training on awareness, advocacy, legal rights, human rights,
etc. be imparted to them; c) Efforts to build up confidence, courage and diligence
in tribal people should be made; d) Time to time, fair (mela) or similar festive
activities should be encouraged and organised where Adibashis and non-Adibashis
can publicly participate to bridge the existing gap between them with brotherhood,
mutual co-operation and respect.