The first ever book on the heritage, customs and languages of the country’s more than forty ethnic communities, ‘Bangladesher Adivasi: Ethnography O Gobeshona’, was launched in Dhaka on Wednesday.
Most of the contributing researchers, who themselves belong to the ethnic communities included in the book, however, boycotted the launching programme complaining that the organisers failed to properly coordinate the ceremony.
Former caretaker government chief adviser Justice Mohammad Habibur Rahman unveiled the book published by Utsa Publishers with research work by representatives of each of the respective ethnic minority groups.
Publication of the book comprising three volumes has been supported by OXFAM–GB, an NGO.
Speaking at the launching programme at the Sufia Kamal Auditorium of the National Museum, Habibur Rahman said history and culture bear witness that the way of living of the ethnic people is closely knitted with the nature and soil.
Bangladesh Adivasi Forum general secretary Sanjeeb Drang had referred to the existing anomalies between the related data provided by the different government entities.
Dhaka University teacher Mesbah Kamal said, ‘If Bengalis are intent on finding out their roots, they have to go back to the ethnic people. Denying their existence in the country and in the constitution is not only a mistake but a crime also.’
Courtesy of New Age
