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The Impact of Development Intervention on Oraon Ethnic Community in Northern Bangladesh: A Sociological Study.
By Md. Rafiqul Islam, M.S.S Student, Department of Sociology, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
The Oraon is the 2nd largest ethnic communities of Natore district who live with own district traditional language and culture. This paper attempts to make an ethnographic study among Oraon with a particular emphasis on social organization and changing forces that molds the present life style of these people. In order to reveal the social organization and social changes that documents their historical background, Cultural profile, Demographic aspects, Economic condition of Oraon Community, Educational attainment of Oraon Children, Health care services,, Enriching the cultural heritage and tradition, Traditional political organization of Oraon community, Marriage system, Life cycle, Rituals and belief systems of Oraon community. All the information collects through field work from the village named Dobarpara under study area of Natore district.
The Oraon finds to live in Natore district of Barind migrates from Chotonagpur of India at different times during British period. From racial point of view the Oraon belongs to pre-Dravidian racial speaks Kuroki and Sadri. They live in Bangladesh since early 19th century. The past and present history and the culture of Oraon reveals in the thesis taking reference from available empirical papers on this ethnic community.
Traditionally, Oraon as well as other ethnic communities’ socio-culturally self-reliant. Now Oraon are socio-culturally isolated larger society and their traditional culture is now admixture of Hinduism. However, due to modernization and outside intervention on their way of life, food habit, treatment practices, agricultural systems, hunting gathering tradition, educational institutions, dress and ornament, social networks, social integration, tradition administrative systems as well as social norms and values have been changed now days.
Bangladesh is a small country of only about 147570 square kilometers (BBS, 2010) but her social and cultural life is so varied here that, the land can be termed as a paradise for scientists. In particular the country belongs to a good number of ethnic groups with their age-old traditions and culture. These ethnic groups have distinct culture of them, which is very much different from that of the plain land society. But because of pressure of both internal and external forces, such as modernization, urbanization, industrialization and globalization their apparent peaceful life is being threatened. One of such major ethnic groups is Oraon in Bangladesh.
The various ethnic groups of the country belongs are like Oraon, Hajongs, Chakmas, Murangs, Khasis, Lusais, Tripuras, Bombs, Marmas, Santals, Ko Chs, Dalus, Mughs, Paharias Mizas Pankhos, aks, Taungehanyas, Brongs, Shendus, Manipuri’s and so on (Sattar ,1991,p-12).As an indigenous state, they have their nationality, same identity, called as a Bangladeshi people. Among the numerous aboriginal tribes inhabiting different areas of the world, the Oraon as a parietal society has maintained it’s distinctive and individuality even to this day.
Members of other societies have been greatly interested in the history of Oraon, their social organization, religious beliefs, marriage customs, inheritance system, laws etc. the number of Oraon in Bangladesh will be around 97041. (Survey report on Oraon, Kispotta, 2007). The Oraon is one of the major ethnic Oraon inhabiting in our country for hundreds of years. They live in North Bengal especially Natore. Rangpur, Dinajpur districts etc. this indigenous people have their distinctive identity, social structure customs and tradition, inheritance rules, laws and sanctions, religious beliefs etc. With the contact of modernization and globalization their unique identity is on the way of transition and declination.
The problems of these ethnic groups are yet to be tackled or solved either through the government or voluntary organization. A thorough investigation is needed about these people their way of living and their social condition that reflect their actuality. The present research is an attempt to know their socio-religious condition. It is an in depth study in order to provide an image profile of the community. It is to observe the process of changes among them, a study of the process of social change from the sociological point of view of the ethnic groups living in Bangladesh. It is also an attempt at understanding the agents of social changes vis- a-vis interaction with the urbanization, modernization, and Christianity, Hinduism particularly the Oraon living in the cities and towns having a direct contact with the urban way of living, what influence and impacts they are going through in their social, economical. Cultural, religious life is primary focuses of this present study.
The exact figure of the Oraon population can not be mentioned clearly. This census also recorded some of the Uriya” community which has no existence, but they are actually Oraon However, a private survey of HRDF (Human Research Development Foundation) recorded 85,000 Oraon people inhabited in Bangladesh. CARITAS recorded at least 90,000 Oraon people lives in Bangladesh. In Rangpur district 11,665 Oraon people live in 2932 household. [HRDF, 1985]. At present near about 3097 Oraon people live in Natore and most of them are in Dobarpara under Nazirpur union of Gurudaspur Thaana. (Survey reports on the Oraon community of Bangladesh, 2007, Kispotta).
In Bangladesh most of the Oraon live in Barind tract especially Natore district. It is said that the Oraon are hailed from the hilly region of Orissa, Chotonagpore and Rajmohol hill of India. Some Sociologists hold that their ancient habitat was ”Horroppa civilization”. Where, they came from Asia Minor. By the emergence of Arya they had fled away and took shelter of Mundas of Bihar. Finally, they scattered in various part of this sub-continent. Some of them came to the Natore district for several of political and historical turmoil.
