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AN INVESTIGATION INTO SELECTED DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF

THE MARMA TRIBE OF RANGAMATI HILL DISTRICT

Article · January 2002

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62 Bangladesh Political Studies
21. For details see, Hakim, M. A., The Shahabuddin "Interregnum,
Dhaka: University Press Ltd., 1993, pp. 41-66.
22. For the failure of parliamentary democracy in the new states see,
Chowdhury, Siddique A., "Failure of Parliamentary Democracy
in the New States: A Theoretical Analysis," Chittagong Univer­
sity Studies (Social Science), Vol. XI, No. 2, 1990, pp. 137-146.
23. Maniruzzaman, Talukdar, "The Fall of the Military Dictator: 1991
Elections and the Prospect of Civilian Rule in Bangladesh,"
Pacific Affairs, Vol. 65, No. 2, 1992, p. 223; Hakim,M. A. The
Shahabuddin Interregnum, op. cit., p. 75.
24. For details see Hakim, M. A. The Shahabuddin Interregnum, op.
cit., pp. 73-82.
25. Ahmed, Nizan U., "Parliamentary Politics in Bangladesh," Jour­
nal of Commonwealth and Comparative Politics, Vol. 32, No. 3,
1994, p. 374.
26. Ibid., pp. 369-371.
37. Ibid., p. 379.
28. Ahmed, Kamal Uddin, "Parliamentary Democracy rn
Bangladesh," Chittagong University Studies (Special Issue), Arts
Vol. IX, June, 1993, p. 192.
29. When political stalemate reached its pick by the end of 1994, at
one stage Commonwealth Secretary General's Special envoy Sir
Stephen Ninian came to Bangladesh to negotiate the issue among
the conflicting parties. But his efforts failed and he left for home
after an abortive mission. See, The Bangladesh Observer,
November 21, 1994.
30. The Bangladesh Observer, November 26, 1994.
31. For details about the elctions see, Dhaka Courier, February
16, 1996.
32. See Robbar (Bengali wekkly) Dhaka, March 31, 1996.
33. For full text of the 13th amendment of the Constitution see,
The Bangladesh Observer, March 28, 1996.
Bangladesh Political Studies
Vol. XVII, 2002
AN INVESTIGATION INTO SELECTED DEMOGRAPHIC
CHARACT ERISTICS OF THE MARMA TRIBE OF
RANGAMATI Hill DISTRICT
Md. Millat-e-Mustafa *
MossbberAhmed Siddiqui **
NiazAhmed Khan***
Md. Shah Newaz ****
Introduction
The Rangamati Hill District is a serene rendezvous for diverse
aboriginal communities. These communities have their own dis­
tinct culture, art, religious beliefs, customs, farming practices
and attire. The Marma is one of the major aboriginal tribes dwell­
. andarban and partly
ing in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, mostly {�...�
.
in Rangamati.The tribe has a population of 40886, which is 18.3%
of the total tribal population of the district (BBS 1997). They
originally migrated from Arakan and even, according to some
accounts, from as far south as Talaing or Pegu (Ishaq 1971) The
distinct demographic characteristics of the Marma have great
effects on the management of surrounding natural resources.
However, very little attention has so far been paid to study the
demographic status of this tribe in this region. In general, re­
search on the Marma is few and far between. In this context, the
present study is conducted in order to generate selected demo­
graphic and associated information on the Marma tribe in the
study area.
* Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University of Chittagong.
** Social Forestry Programme, Proshika Centre.for Human Development, Dhaka.
*** Department of Public Administration, University of Chittagong.
II<*** Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, University ofChittagong.
 64 Bangladesh Political Studies An Investigation into Selected Demographic 65

Methods and Materials
/ Rangamati Hill District comprises ten thanas (sub-districts).
Among these the population of Marma is higher (about 70% of
the total tribal population) in Kaptai thana (BBS 1997). There­
fore, Kaptai thana was selected purposefully for the study. From
this thana, the study village Hapchori was selected randomly
using a multistage sampling technique. The geographical loca­
tion of the study area is 22 ° 30' N latitude and 92 ° 14' E longi­
tude. The area is environmentally diverse and situated on a long
south and south-east facing slope with an elevation ranging from
31 m to 63 m.
The research is based on a ethnographic fieldwork in the study
area. The instruments used for this survey were a semi-struc­
tured questionnaire, worked out in advance and pre-tested for
intelligibility, and intensive personal observation. The survey was
designed to gather quantitative information relating to: house­
hold composition, educational status, total annual income, oc­
1
cupation of the respondent, total area of land holdings and their
acquisition processes. Based on the total income, farmers were
categorized into three groups as follows :
eighteenth century make frequent references to the Marma refu­
gees who were driven out of Arakan by the Burmese invaders
during 1983-84 (Rajput 1965). Their language is Maghi, an off­
shoot of the Arakanees-Burmese dialect, usually written in Bur­
mese characters. In addition, they often speak Bengali.
Family Size
The total population of the study area is 306, comprising 71 farru­
lies. Household size varies from a minimum of three to a maxi­
mum of seven, averaging 4.3 members. 59% of the total popula­
tion are male, and the remaining, female. Of the total household
members, 31% are less than 15 years old, 37% are �15<30, 13%
are �30<45, 13% are �45<60 and only 6% are older than 60
years (Table 1). The average age of the household head is 42
years (ranging between 32 and 63 years), with only two farmers
interviewed being over 60. Wives are on an average a minimum
of seven years younger than their husbands.
Table 1 : Age group distribution of the Marma tribe in the
study area
Sex Age group

Rich: With an annual income more than Taka (Tk) 50,000 <15 year �15 <30 year :2'.30 < 45 year :2'. 45 < 60 year :2'. 60 year
Medium : With an annual income between Tk. 36,000 Tk. 50,000 . Male 64 68 20 22 -7
Poor: With an annual income less than Tk. 36,000 N=181 (35) (38) (11) (12) (4 )
(USD 1 = 58 Taka approx.) Female 33 4 5 19 17 11
N=125 (26) (36) (15) (14) (9)
The whole village was surveyed for the study. The house­
Total 97 113 39 39 18
hold heads were the respondents of the study and they took help .
N=306 (31) (37) (13) (13) ( 6)
in responding to our survey from other members of the famjly
when felt necessary. Notes: N = Total population
Results Figures in parenthesis indicate percentage values
Distribution and Language r.'ducational Status
A total of 12625 Marmas live in Kaptai, who account for 20.98% The male and f�male literacy rates are estimated to be 44% and
of the total population and 70% of the total tribal population of 4% respectively, giving a figure of 40% for the population as a
Kaptai (BBS 1997). This tribe appears to have migrated from whole (Table 2). The percentage is higher than figures given for
the Arakan hills, as both Burmese and English accounts of the lhe whole district and the country which are, respectively, 37.7
66 Bangladesh Political Studies An Investigation into Selected Demographic 67

averaged for the district and 32.40% averaged for the country are also common among the rich and medium farmers. A typical
(BBS 1997). 27% of the population have received primary edu­ house is divided into compartments according to the require­
cation, while another 13% attained secondary education. 60% ments of the family members, especially the married members.
have no formal education. In the front of the house is the verandah, which is divided into
Table 2 : Educational status of the Marma tribes in the study area two parts by a mat partition for the use of the male and female
Age group Education level members of the household separately. In front of the verandah
Sex Illiterate Primary Secondary lies a large open space of raised platform, used for various house­
hold purposes. Small compartments are erected on this space for
<15 Male (n�38)a 23(60)b 12(32)b 3(8)b
the storage of grain, cotton, or household effects, but as a rule
N=61 Female (n=23) 9(39) 13(57) 1(4)
the grain is stored away from the house for safety in case of fire.
�15<30 Male (n=68) 36(52) 16(24) 16(24)
A rough step-ladder provides access to this space and forms the
N=113 Female (n=45) 28(62) 15(33) 2(5) entrance of the house.
�30<45 Male (n=200 10(50) 3(15) 7(36)
Land Holidng pattern
N=39 Female (n=19) 12(63) 7(37)
�45,60 Male (n=22) 12(55) 5(23) 5(23) The extent of the jhum (shifting cultivation) land varies consid­
N=39 Female (n=l 7) 16(94) 1(6) erably among farm categories (Table 4). Mean size of the jhum
lands owned by a rich farmer ranges from a minimum of 6 ha to
�60 Male (n=7) 6(86) 1(14)
a maximum of 9 ha, averaging 8.2 ha. Corresponding figures are
N-18 Female (n-11) 11(100)
3.8 ha (range: 2 ha to 6 ha) for the medium and 2.2 ha (range: 1
Total Male (n=155) 87(56) 37(24) 31(20)
ha to 4 ha) for the poor farmers respectively. Like the jhum land
N=270 Female (n=115) 76(66) 36(31) 3(3) holding, agricultural land holding also varies with the farm size
Combined 63(60) 73(27) 34(13) category : the larger the farm, the greater the agricultural land
Figure holding. Mean homegarden size, however, did not vary with re­
Notes : Only the children of school going age (>5 years) 1s spect to farm categories.
conside�ed. for this age group.
a Figures in parenthesis indicate total population. Table 3 : Types of houses of respondents in the study area
b Figures in parenthesis indicate percentage values Farm Housing material
Category Bamboo and Mud wall with Mud wall with
Housing Pattern
wood (Machang) sungrass roof C.G. I. Sheet roof
Houses of the Marma are generally located in the top slope of Rich 3 7 2
the hill. Most houses (as much as 84%) in the study area are N=12 (25) (58) (17)
made of locally collected bamboo and wood with a machan (plat­ Medium 21 2
form) floor raised some six feet above the ground (Table 3). The N=23 (91) (9)
floor and walls are made of bamboo split and flattened out; the Poor 36
numerous crevices give free access to every breeze, and render a N=36 (100)
hill-house one of the coolest and most pleasant of habitations. All 60 9 2
The roof is also made of bamboo cross-pieces, thatched with N=7l (84 ) (13) (3)
sungrass. Mud houses, thatched with sungrass or C. G. I. sheet Note: ures in parenthesis indicate percentage values
 '
68 Bangladesh Political Studies An Investigation into Selected Demographic 69

Table 4 : Total land holdings of the respondents in the Table 5: Mean annual income of the Marma tribes in the
study area study area
Farm Frequency Mean annual
Farm Housingmaterial
Category Jhum land Crop land (Flat) Homegarden Category income (in '000')
Rich 12 68
(Hilly)
Rich 8.2 0.4 0.02 N=12 (17) a (52-90)b
N=12 Medium 23 41
(6-9) (0.25-0.6)
N=23 (32) (37-49)
Medium 3.8 0.22 0.02
N-23 Poor 36 19
(2-6) (0.16-0.38)
Poor 2.2 0.08 0.02 N=36 (51) (12-36)
All 41
N=36 (1-4) (0.04-0.12)
All 0.02 N=71 (12090)
3:2 0.2
N=71 (1-9) (0.04-0.6) Notes : Figures in thousand Taka
Note : Figures in parenthesis indicate range of values, a Figures in parenthesis indicate percentage values
minimum to maximum b Figures in parenthesis indicate range of values, minimum
Mean Annual Income and Income Sources to maximum.
T he mean annual income of rich farmers is Tk. 68000 with a Table 6: Occupation of the respondents in the study area
minimum of Tk. 52000 to a maximum of Tk. 90000 (Table 5). Contribution to
Occupation
Mean annual income of the medium farmers·ranges from a mini­
total income
mum of Tk. 37000 to a maximum of Tk. 49000, averaging Tk.
41000. The corresponding figure for the poor is Tk. 19000, which Farm Primary Secondary (in%)
ranges between Tk. 12000 and Tk. 36000. Category (]hum) Business Others Primary 2ndary
Jhum (shifting) cultivation is the primary occupation of all the Rich 12 8 80 20
respondents irrespective of farm categories (Table 6). Two third n=12 (100) (66)
of the rich farmers and almost half of the medium farmers are Medium 23 11 7 92 8
engaged in business as secondary occupation. The poor farmers
temporarily migrate to the nearby district town during the lean n=23 (100) (48) (30)
seasons and sell their labor in agricultural fields. Most of the Poor 36 36 60 40
farmers own livestock (poultry birds and pig), but it was consid­ n=36 (100) (100)
ered to be of minor importance. Fishing, although common in
the village, is primarily meant for home consumption. Note : Figures in parenthesis indicate percentage values
70 Bangladesh Political Studies
Dress and Jewellery
The Marma men wear lungi, a turban of white cloth and a white
or black short jacket. The women wear petticoat of cotton or silk
and a home-spun cloth about ten inches in width which is worn
tightly round the bosom. Women also wear lungi and have a
liking for saree. They wear gold or silver bracelets and neck­
laces and hollow cones of silver through the lobes of the ear.
Food Habit
The ordinary food of the Marma consists of rice, fish, vegetable,
oil, salt and chilli. They also eat all flesh -- be it bird, beast or
reptile. They are very fond of park and they tend their swine
with great care feeding them regularly with excellent food. Pan
(betel leaf) and betel nut are also very popular. The men are ad­
dicted to alcohol (home made intoxicating liquors), opium and
tobacco. The women are also as inveterate smokers as the men.
Religion
The religion of the Marma is Buddhism, but it is greatly inter­
mingled with animism. They propitiate a great variety of ma­
levolent and evil spirits, which are believed to have the power of
influencing their life and actions. They seem to take religious
matters quite seriously, for example, they never cut jokes on such
matters or make any irreverent allusion to their priests·. They do
not, however, rigidly follow the Buddhist principles in matters
of eating and drinking.
Marriage
As commonly observed in the study area, the girls marry around
the age of sixteen and those men who can afford it, will marry
before reaching the age of twenty. Incidents of marriage before
attaining the age of puberty are rare and found amongst the com­
paratively affulent families.
Village Economy
The economy of the village is on a subsistence level, they pro­
duce to satisfy their own needs. Besides cultivation, they prac-
An Investigation into Selected Demographic 71
tice other arts that meet the needs of life other than those imme­
diately connected with food. They build their own houses, make
their looms, weave their dresses, manufacture their household
utensils, agricultural implements, beverages and so on. Weaving
once used to be very widespread, and even today, almost every
household has a loom. However, the recent development of com­
mercial activities in the area has tended to introduce new sources
of income for the local people. Some educated members of the
community work for the government while others are engaged
in industrial projects along the Karnafuli river, or work for the
contractors who recruit them for factory labour.
La,w of Inheritance
The society in the study area is patriarchal, where the father is
the head of the family, and in matters of succession the property
is passed on to the eldest son. But when there is a division of
property among several sons, one half portion goes to the eldest
son, one quarter to the next son, and the other sons share the
remaining quarter among them. The daughters are totally ex­
cluded from paternal property. The above arrangement only holds
well where the parent has made no assignment of his property
during his lifetime. In the event of there being no direct male
heirs, the succession follows in the female line.
Conclusion
The life of the Marma people and their socio-economic activi­
ties in Rangamati are centered around the hills and the surround­
ing resources. They manifest distinct demographic characteris­
tics and practices, which are ultimately geared towards meeting
and sustaining their subsistence-oriented life style. Increased
research on this interesting community, as well as other ethnic
groups in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region, is the urgent need of
the time, as our current state of knowledge in this regard is clearly
insignificant.
 72 Bangladesh Political Studies
REFERENCES
BBS (Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics), 1997. Bangladesh Statis­
tical Yearbook, Ministry of Planning, Gov(lmment of the
Peoples' Republic of Bangladesh, Dkaka.
Ishaq M. 1971. Bangladesh District Gazetteers: Chittagong Hill
Tracts, Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, Government of the
People's Republic of Bangladesh, Dhaka.
Millat-e-Mustafa, M., Ahmed, F. U. and Azad, A. K. 1997. 'Socio-eco­
nomic Factors and Farm Size Category: The Case of Bangla­
desh', Dhaka University Studies (Social Science) [In press].
Rajput A. B. 1965. The Tribes of Chittagong Hill Tracts, Pakistan
Publications, Karachi.
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Bangladesh Political Studies
Vol. XVII, 2002
THE DECLINE OF POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY?
AN INQUIRY
Mohammad Mozammel Hoque *
Shamsun Nahar **
Introduction : Now a days it is often said, especially in the Eng­
lish-speaking world that political philosophy is dead or dimin­
ished in importance.1 We shall argue in a professional interest in
assuming it still alive and is likely to remain so as any other
subject as long as humans continue to be a speculative and en­
terprising animals. The apparent uncertainty in political philoso­
phy does not mean the death of political philosophy. Logical
positivists and their successors seem to have shown that many
of the problems which excersised the great political thinkers of
the past were spurious, resting on confusion of thought and the
misuse of language. The belief that political philosophy is dead,
rests on several misconceptions. In the past, political theory has
often been a mixture of two activities to explain how govern­
ment functions or how it arose or why it is obeyed, and it _has
also put forward opinions about what government should aim at
and how it should be organized to achieve those aims. These
two quite different activities have not always been kept distinct.
It is also said of political philosophy that it not only pretends to
give us knowledge but also stands in the way of our getting it.
Further, what has gone by the name of political philosophy in
the past has been shown to be remarkably confused. Political
philosophy, they (the logical positivists) say, is properly the analy­
sis of political concepts. And the great variety of theories about
what government should aim and how it should be organized
* Department of Philosophy, University of Chittagong.
** Department of Philosophy, University of Chittagong.