MRO- CHA a hub for MRU indigenous people promoting the MRU: retaining their ethnicity

Abstract

There are different ethnic groups reside in the Chittagong Hill Tracts(CHT) speaking different languages , practicing different religions, and following different cultural rules. Living mostly in the hills of Banderban, the “Mru”; are one of these ethnic groups, facing challenges of discrimination not only from the Bangali people, but also from other tribes. They are very isolated from other tribes, because of their topographical location and some other problems causing them utmost poverty. The “Mru” tribe is currently aspiring to become socio-economically solvent. They are greatly influenced by the development of their neighboring tribes and local Bengalis, and their desires come at the expense of their rich culture, language, traditions, customs and religion. This community is at a transitional point and there is a great chance that their aspiration might derail them. What they fail to realize is that their own culture, language and religion can fulfill their aspirations if they are nurtured properly. For this a descriptive research method and field study are done with the “Mru” people and organizations (N.G.O.), professionals dealing with them and a project based on a bottom up approach has been proposed. This project aims to give the “Mru” tribe a direction in which they might evolve without forgetting their roots. Moreover, they have already been able to move forward religiously by getting rid of certain taboos, introducing texts and preventing other religious influences. Their development is engraved within their own culture and the possibilities are immense only if they can realize it before it is too late. The juxtaposition of both knowledge and creativity of this community with the little help of training and awareness can lead them to build an ideal community where they will not have the feeling of isolation ,social negligence and influence of other society, but they will have the courage to promote themselves in tems of their unique culture, language and religion.