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Bangladesh's
tribal population consists of about 1 million people,
just fewer than 1 percent of the total population. They
live primarily in the Chittagong Hills and in the
regions of Mymensingh, Sylhet, and Rajshahi. The
majority of the tribal population (778,425) live in
rural settings, where many practice shifting
cultivation. The inhabitants of the Hill Tracts are
mostly tribal. Life of the tribal people is extremely
fascinating. Majority of them are Buddhists and the rest
are Hindus, Christians and Animists. Despite the bondage
of religion, elements of primitiveness are strongly
displayed in their rites, rituals and everyday life. The
tribal families are matriarchal. The women-folk are more
hardworking than the males and they are the main
productive force.
The tribal people are extremely self-reliant, they grow
their own food, their girls weave their own clothes and
generally speaking, they live a simple life. Each tribe
has its own dialect, distinctive dress and rites and
rituals. The common feature is their way of life which
still speaks of their main occupation. Some of them take
pride in hunting with bows and arrows. Tribal women are
very skilful in making beautiful handicrafts. Tribal
people are generally peace loving, honest and
hospitable. They usually greet a tourist with a smile.
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