Marma
Encyclopedia
The Marma also known as Magh
or Mog
are Arakanese descendants inhabiting the Chittagong Hill Tracts
(CHT) of Bangladesh
since the Arakan kingdom period in the 16th century AD. In the late 20th century, their population stood at over 210,000. Ethnically related to the Myanmar
, they are largely followers of Theravada Buddhism. They are the second largest ethnic minority group in Bangladesh. Most Marmas live in the three hill districts of Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari. The headquarter of the Raja or Chief of the Marma
society is located at Bandarban, CHT. Marmas speak Arakanese dialect and their language is written in Burmese characters. Marma language belongs to the Burmano-Arakan group within the broad classifications of Tibeto-Burman languages. In recent times, Marmas in urban areas and nearby settlements speak the corrupt local language of Chittagongnian.
The word Marma, an archaic Arakanese pronunciation, originates from the Burmese word Myanmar
, which means 'Burmese nationals'. The ancestors of the rulers Rajas
(Chief or Boh Mong/ Bohmong) of the Marma population used to live in Pegu (modern Bago) city of Burma (Myanmar) long before it was invaded in 1599 by King Mong Raja Gree of Arakan
kingdom, where Mrauk U
was the capital city. After the victory, the Arakanese king appointed the nobles from Pegu to rule in newly established circle of Boh Mong Htaung in CHT, by giving the title of "Bohmong/ Boh Mong". The entire population of the circles were Arakanese; and the subordinate rulers to the Arakanese king, were Burmese descendants who called themselves "Marma" in the Arakanese language. There is one point to note that although the chiefs were the Burmese lineage, they did not call their population group of CHT in the Burmese language as "Myanmar", but they call it in Arakanese as "Marma".
The first ruler of Boh Mong circle was Mong Saw Pru who was the son of King Nanda Bayin
of Pegu, Burma. The Boh Mong/ Bohmong Rajas
, the sub-ordinate rulers to the Arakanese kings, who have been ruling the circle since the time of Arakanese kings are as follows. Although the Rajas are the descendants of the Burmese, they speak Arakanese dialect and they took the Arakanese names.
Under the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regulation of 1900, the British Government of India recognizes three hereditary traditional rulers in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT): the Mong Raja in Khagrachari, the Chakma Raja in Rangamati
and the Bohmong Raja in Bandarban who were the vessels to Arakan in the past. The Rajas, also known as circle chiefs, nowadays, exercise limited judicial authority, have responsibility for collection of land taxes in their respective territories and also exercise certain ceremonial roles. The Boh Mong/ Bohmong Raja is the ruler of the Marma society.
Marma men and women typically wear 'thami' (sarong) and 'angi' (blouse). However, the angi used by the men is more a waistcoat than a blouse. Marmas make their own dresses using traditional weaving technology, although many now purchase common Bangali dresses from the market. They usually do not wear shoes, but this tradition, too is not in vogue now thanks to increased association with other peoples. Kitchen utensils in a Marma family are mostly earthen or made of bamboo and wood. Many families, however, use aluminum wares like pots, pans, plates and glasses.
The nuclear family is predominant in the Marma community. Although the husband is the head of the household, the wife also has a significant role in the family. KINSHIP ties are quite strong in the Marma society. Such ties are both affinal and consanguineous. The property inheritance, in general, follows the old Burmese line of inheritance called Thamohada. Both sons and daughters inherit parental properties. The 'auroth' (most favourite) child gets the ownership of the house and has to take care of the parents. In recent times, however, inheritance of landed property follows a rule according to which the property is distributed in the ratio of 2:1 between sons and daughters.
Agriculture is the main occupation of Marmas. Jhum cultivation is their primary agricultural pursuit. They also supplement their food requirement by gathering tree leaves, roots, and tubers from hill forests. Small-scale homestead gardening is also common among them. Other important economic activities of Marmas include basketry, brewing and wage labor. Weaving is a very common activity of Marma women. Marmas were not market oriented in the past. Their economic activities and production system were geared to their subsistence. Only recently have they become involved in trade and commerce. Products of the Marma people are sold mostly through middlemen. Some Marma families now operate small retail stores.
The traditional political administrative system in the Marma community is a three-tier one. Village level administration is headed by a karbari. The mouza level is headed by a headman and the circle level is headed by the circle chief Raja
. The Rajas are the subordinates of the Arakanese king since 16th century. The main responsibilities of the village karbari, the mouza headman, and the circle chief are collection of jhum tax. In addition, each is entrusted with various socio-cultural responsibilities including mitigation of disputes, pronouncing judgements, and maintaining law and order at their respective levels of administration.
Magh
Magh may refer to:* Magi* Magh people, the Arakanese nationalities known in Bengal as Maghs* Maagha, a month in Hindu calendar* Magh * Magh * Magh * Magha , author of Shishupala Vadha...
or Mog
Mog
Mog may refer to:* The Miracle Octad Generator* Mog , the Arakanese descendants living in Tripura in India* MOdified Gravity theory* A domestic cat...
are Arakanese descendants inhabiting the Chittagong Hill Tracts
Chittagong Hill Tracts
The Chittagong Hill Tracts comprise an area of 13,295 km2 in south-eastern Bangladesh, and borders India and Myanmar . It was a single district of Bangladesh until 1984. In that year it was divided into three separate districts: Khagrachari, Rangamati and Bandarban. Topographically, this is the...
(CHT) of Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
since the Arakan kingdom period in the 16th century AD. In the late 20th century, their population stood at over 210,000. Ethnically related to the Myanmar
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
, they are largely followers of Theravada Buddhism. They are the second largest ethnic minority group in Bangladesh. Most Marmas live in the three hill districts of Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari. The headquarter of the Raja or Chief of the Marma
Marma
The Marma also known as Magh or Mog are Arakanese descendants inhabiting the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh since the Arakan kingdom period in the 16th century AD. In the late 20th century, their population stood at over 210,000. Ethnically related to the Myanmar, they are largely followers...
society is located at Bandarban, CHT. Marmas speak Arakanese dialect and their language is written in Burmese characters. Marma language belongs to the Burmano-Arakan group within the broad classifications of Tibeto-Burman languages. In recent times, Marmas in urban areas and nearby settlements speak the corrupt local language of Chittagongnian.
The word Marma, an archaic Arakanese pronunciation, originates from the Burmese word Myanmar
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
, which means 'Burmese nationals'. The ancestors of the rulers Rajas
Rajas
Rajas ) is, in the Samkhya school of Hindu philosophy, one of the three gunas. Of these, rajas, is responsible for motion, energy and preservation...
(Chief or Boh Mong/ Bohmong) of the Marma population used to live in Pegu (modern Bago) city of Burma (Myanmar) long before it was invaded in 1599 by King Mong Raja Gree of Arakan
Rakhine State
Rakhine State is a Burmese state. Situated on the western coast, it is bordered by Chin State in the north, Magway Region, Bago Region and Ayeyarwady Region in the east, the Bay of Bengal to the west, and the Chittagong Division of Bangladesh to the northwest. It is located approximately between...
kingdom, where Mrauk U
Mrauk U
Mrauk U is an archaeologically important town in northern Rakhine State, Myanmar. It is also the capital of Mrauk-U Township, a sub region of the Sittwe District. It was the capital of Mrauk U Kingdom, the most important and powerful Rakhine kingdom from 1433 to 1784.-Geography:Mrauk U lies...
was the capital city. After the victory, the Arakanese king appointed the nobles from Pegu to rule in newly established circle of Boh Mong Htaung in CHT, by giving the title of "Bohmong/ Boh Mong". The entire population of the circles were Arakanese; and the subordinate rulers to the Arakanese king, were Burmese descendants who called themselves "Marma" in the Arakanese language. There is one point to note that although the chiefs were the Burmese lineage, they did not call their population group of CHT in the Burmese language as "Myanmar", but they call it in Arakanese as "Marma".
The first ruler of Boh Mong circle was Mong Saw Pru who was the son of King Nanda Bayin
Nanda Bayin
Nanda Bayin , was the king of the Toungoo Dynasty of Myanmar from 1581 to 1599. Nanda was the first son of King Bayinnaung. He was made the crown prince upon the ascension of his father in January 1551. As the crown prince, he led subjugation of Lanna and the sack of Vientiene in 1565...
of Pegu, Burma. The Boh Mong/ Bohmong Rajas
Rajas
Rajas ) is, in the Samkhya school of Hindu philosophy, one of the three gunas. Of these, rajas, is responsible for motion, energy and preservation...
, the sub-ordinate rulers to the Arakanese kings, who have been ruling the circle since the time of Arakanese kings are as follows. Although the Rajas are the descendants of the Burmese, they speak Arakanese dialect and they took the Arakanese names.
- Mong Saw Pru 1599-1631
- Son Men Rai Phroo
- Son Hari Phroo 1665-87
- Nephew Hari Gneo 1687-1727
- Grandson Koung Hla Phroo 1727-1811
- Son Sathun Pru 1811-40
- Nephew Kong Hla Gneo-1840-66
- Cousin in Mong Phroo 1866-75
- Sana yeo-1875-1901
- Nephew Chow Hla Pru – 1901-23
- Cousin Mong Chow Gneo- 1916-23
- Cousin Kyaw Zan Phroo – 1923-33
- Son Kyaw Zaw San 1933-53
- Brother Maung Shwe Pru- 1959-
- Aung Shwe Pru (currently ruling).
Under the Chittagong Hill Tracts Regulation of 1900, the British Government of India recognizes three hereditary traditional rulers in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT): the Mong Raja in Khagrachari, the Chakma Raja in Rangamati
Rangamati
Rangamati is the Administrative Headquarter of Rangamati Hill District in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. The town is located at 22°37'60N 92°12'0E and has an altitude of 14 metres ....
and the Bohmong Raja in Bandarban who were the vessels to Arakan in the past. The Rajas, also known as circle chiefs, nowadays, exercise limited judicial authority, have responsibility for collection of land taxes in their respective territories and also exercise certain ceremonial roles. The Boh Mong/ Bohmong Raja is the ruler of the Marma society.
Culture
The houses of Marma people are made of bamboo, wild grass and straw. These are built on elevated bamboo or wooden platforms (machang). Every room of the house is a bed room-cum-store. The space underneath the machang is used for various purposes such as keeping livestock, storing fuel wood, or accommodating handlooms for weaving. Some houses, however, are made of mud and built without machangs. Rice and boiled vegetables are major food items of the Marma people. 'Ngappi' a paste of dried fish, is a favourite. They enjoy rice bear and smoke indigenous cigars.Marma men and women typically wear 'thami' (sarong) and 'angi' (blouse). However, the angi used by the men is more a waistcoat than a blouse. Marmas make their own dresses using traditional weaving technology, although many now purchase common Bangali dresses from the market. They usually do not wear shoes, but this tradition, too is not in vogue now thanks to increased association with other peoples. Kitchen utensils in a Marma family are mostly earthen or made of bamboo and wood. Many families, however, use aluminum wares like pots, pans, plates and glasses.
The nuclear family is predominant in the Marma community. Although the husband is the head of the household, the wife also has a significant role in the family. KINSHIP ties are quite strong in the Marma society. Such ties are both affinal and consanguineous. The property inheritance, in general, follows the old Burmese line of inheritance called Thamohada. Both sons and daughters inherit parental properties. The 'auroth' (most favourite) child gets the ownership of the house and has to take care of the parents. In recent times, however, inheritance of landed property follows a rule according to which the property is distributed in the ratio of 2:1 between sons and daughters.
Agriculture is the main occupation of Marmas. Jhum cultivation is their primary agricultural pursuit. They also supplement their food requirement by gathering tree leaves, roots, and tubers from hill forests. Small-scale homestead gardening is also common among them. Other important economic activities of Marmas include basketry, brewing and wage labor. Weaving is a very common activity of Marma women. Marmas were not market oriented in the past. Their economic activities and production system were geared to their subsistence. Only recently have they become involved in trade and commerce. Products of the Marma people are sold mostly through middlemen. Some Marma families now operate small retail stores.
The traditional political administrative system in the Marma community is a three-tier one. Village level administration is headed by a karbari. The mouza level is headed by a headman and the circle level is headed by the circle chief Raja
Raja
Raja is an Indian term for a monarch, or princely ruler of the Kshatriya varna...
. The Rajas are the subordinates of the Arakanese king since 16th century. The main responsibilities of the village karbari, the mouza headman, and the circle chief are collection of jhum tax. In addition, each is entrusted with various socio-cultural responsibilities including mitigation of disputes, pronouncing judgements, and maintaining law and order at their respective levels of administration.