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Who are Hajongs?

Birendranathhajong.blogspot, April 25, 2011

The Hajong tribe.blogspot

The Hajong (হাজং) tribe is one of the scheduled tribes of India.They speak Hajong dialect influenced by the Assamese and Bangla language. These ethnic tribal people predominantly inhabit in the plain belts of Meghalaya and sporadically in neighboring places like Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal and in Bangladesh.

It is mentioned by E. T. Dalton (1872) in his book, Descriptive Ethnology of Bengal, that the Hajongs are one of the branches of the Kachari race early settlers of Assam. A. Mitra (author of ‘West Bengal: District Handbooks’, Jalpaiguri, Govt. of West Bengal, 1953) also narrated that the Hajongs belong to the Indo-Mongoloid race and have similarities with other members of Bodo group such as Garo, Kachari, Mech, Koch, Rabha, and others.

Hajongs, like most of the tribes of northeastern India, are of Mongol origin. There first settlement in India was in the Kamrup District of Assam and this was their home for a long time. Following natural calamities a major portion of the tribe settled in areas of West Bengal, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and also in hilly parts of Bangladesh.

Hajongs follow Hindu rites and customs and also take Hindu titles. Every Hajong family has a temple for worship called 'Deo Ghar' and they offer prayers in the morning and evening. Hajong community is patriarchal and father or elder man is the chief of a Hajong family. Hajongs live in groups and the area of a group is called a 'Para' or ‘Gaon'. A Hajong village is like an autonomous Kingdom. Every Hajong man compulsory to takes membership of a 'Gaon.' Hajongs live on agriculture. After marriage, the Hajong bride goes to the bridegrooms' house. Polygamy and divorce is rarely seen in the tribe. Hajongs have close cultural links with the Garos.

ORIGIN: MYTH AND HISTORY

According to a belief, Hajo was the ancestral home place of the Hajongs. The saga tells that Hajo or Hajgoya was a powerful ruler who dominated other Koch Chiefs (Bhuyans) and subjugated the whole of Rongpur and a large portion of the Kamata Kingdom and subsequently a place was selected for the capital of his kingdom. The place was called Hajo after his name for his commemoration. The clan of Hajo were called themselves Hajbongsis and in course of time these Hajbongsis became simply Hajongs.

According to another popularly known legend, the Hajongs are the descendants of Surya and they claim themselves as Kshatriyas. The story narrates that in Abantinagar there was a king named Pusparatha. Parshuram, the enemy of the Kshatriyas, beheaded Pusparatha and the widowed daughter-in-law of Pusparatha Rani Swarupa fled away the Abantinagar kingdom with her followers and took shelter at Kammuni in Kamrup. In course of time Swarupa’s son Padanku brought Hajo kingdom under his control. During the reign of Bhaskar Barman, the last king of the dynasty, there was the downfall of Hajo kingdom and some twelve thousand people migrated from Hajo to Barohajari, a place in present West Garo Hills still known as Barohajari Joar. Those migrated and descended twelve thousand people from Hajo, were known as Hajons or Hajongs.

After their settlement in Garo Hills the Hajongs began to plough the plain land as insects. These group of people became the insect of soil and the Garos called them Hajongs. Because in Garo language Ha.a or a.a means land or soil and jong means insect. (Source : The Hajongs and their struggle).

Anthropometry

In 1901 an investigation and research was initiated by Waddell in physical anthropology of the tribes of Northeast India. Later on researchers accumulated data of these Northeast tribes in different course of time and among these tribes the Hajong tribe has also been analyzed from different angles to establish its ethnic affiliation. The tribes of Northeast India are mongoloid origins who are referred to as Indo-mongoloid. As many of the scholars claim that the Hajongs are of mongoloid group and a branch of Boro or Bodo group, therefore, for further investigation and research an anthropometry table is presented below in comparison to other ethnic groups of Northeast India.

Population

See graphic': Hajong population in India (almost entirely in Arunachal Pradesh) in 2011

Hajong population in India (almost entirely in Arunachal Pradesh) in 2011 ; The Times of India, September 23, 2017

Religion

The Hajongs are Hindus by their religion and predominantly follow their own traditional way of worship.They worship prominent gods and goddesses like Shiva, Parvati, Brahma, Vishnu, Durga, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Kartik, etc. and celebrate puja with ardent fervor. These gods and goddesses are held in high esteem and worshiped in every household. A very unique feature among some of the Hajong clans is that a priest called "Adhikari" who assumes the responsibility for performing all religious rites and other social events such as birth, marriage and death ceremonies. This tradition is held in very high regards and strictly followed by them.

In terms of religious belief Hajongs are close to Hindus. Hajongs worship Durga and other Hindu gods and goddesses. But Lord Shiva is their chief deity. They observe a number of bratas (vows) including the Kartik brata performed in the month of Kartik (October-November). Girls and women dance and sing in brata ceremonies. Hajongs also worship the Brahmaputra river. Like Hindu Brahmins, Hajongs wear paita (the holy thread) on their bodies. Hajongs are believers in reincarnation too.

Dress

Hajong men wear bhiza gamsa and women wear Ranga Pathin and Phula Aagon, a standard size piece of cloth, with broad and medium borders with a typical color combination(with red is the main colour).

Hajong men wear Bhiza Lengti(Gamsa) and women wear Ranga pathin, Plain pathin phula agron prepared by themselves. Hajong men & women are very expert in weaving, they weave pathin, phula agron, gamsa and rumal for themselves and for others too.

Occupation

Like many other aborigines, Hajongs are basically a farming community. At one time they were accustomed to Jhum farming, but now they follow plough farming. Side by side with rice and other crops they grow cotton and make fabrics at home. In addition to these activities, people belonging to the Hajong community collect wood from jungles and do some other kinds of work.

Society

Hajong society is patriarchal. After the death of the father sons inherit his property. Daughters however, are given some money and ornaments at the time of their marriage to start a new family life specially those who are not financially sound. Young men and women marry with their parents' consent. A Hajong man can marry a woman of his own clan as well as of a different clan. After marriage, women put on Sindur (vermilion) mark on their sithi (parting of the hair on the middle of the head). Child marriage is not allowed. Premarital sex is strictly prohibited. Hajongs generally abide by the rules and principles of marital purity. A husband cannot have more than one wife. Divorce is not uncommon and widows can remarry. Rice is the staple food of Hajongs. Fruits, vegetables, mutton, pork, ducks and chicken are other major items of their diet.

Hajongs lead simple lives like Garos. Most families live in thatched houses. Relatively better off families have tin-shed or brick-built houses. Houses are neat and clean reflecting the neatness of their life-style. As modernization is making people's life standard in different turn, more and more Hajongs are dwelling houses in town and cities. Like other ethnic groups, Hajongs build and maintain community houses for social needs as well as for other purposes.

Language

Hajongs have their own language, but do not have an alphabet. Their spoken language is a mixture of local dialects. Speaking in colloquial Bangla is a common practice among them. The Hajong language was originally a member of the Tibeto-Burmese group of languages, but later got mixed with Assamese and Bangla. Modern education is being gradually spread in Hajong society.

In their life-style, Hajong people maintain, to a large extent, their traditional ethos of simplicity, honesty, and hospitality as well as other common plebeian characteristics. False play and deceit are rare in this society. Like Garos, Hajong people have protested vehemently against injustice, oppression, exploitation and persecution in the past and have histories of rebellion against feudal and imperialist forces. They took part in historic movements like the Hatikheda movement, the Tonk Movement, agitations against Zamindars, and the Tebhaga Movement. Hajongs cremate dead bodies. Usually, after 13 days of death the Shraddha(obsequies) ceremony is performed.

Citizenship

Granted Indian citizenship: 2017

Chakma and Hajong refugees - India's new citizens, Sep 18, 2017: The Times of India

Sep 14, 2017: The Hindu

Who are Chakmas and Hajongs?

The Chakmas and Hajongs are ethnic people who lived in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, most of which are located in Bangladesh. Chakmas are predominantly Buddhists, while Hajongs are Hindus. They are found in northeast India, West Bengal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.

If they are indigenous people, why are they called refugees?

The Chakmas and Hajongs living in India are Indian citizens. Some of them, mostly from Mizoram, live in relief camps in southern Tripura due to tribal conflict with Mizos. These Indian Chakmas living in Tripura take part in Mizoram elections too. The Election Commission sets up polling booths in relief camps.

The Chakmas and Hajongs living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts fled erstwhile East Pakistan in 1964-65, since they lost their land to the development of the Kaptai Dam on the Karnaphuli River. In addition, they also faced religious persecution as they were non-Muslims and did not speak Bengali. They eventually sought asylum in India. The Indian government set up relief camps in Arunachal Pradesh and a majority of them continue to live there even after five decades. According to the 2011 census, 47,471 Chakmas live in Arunachal Pradesh alone.

What about Bangladesh?

The Chakmas and Hijongs opposed their inclusion in undivided Pakistan during Partition. They later opposed their inclusion in Bangladesh when East Pakistan was fighting the Liberation War with West Pakistan, on grounds that they are an ethnic and religious minority group. A group of Chakmas resorted to armed conflict with Bangladeshi forces under the name 'Shanti Bahini'. The conflict increased the inflow of refugees to India.

In 1997, the Bangladeshi government headed by Sheik Hasina signed a peace accord with the Shanti Bahini, which resulted in the end of the insurgency. According to the accord, the Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Murang and Tanchangya were acknowledged as tribes of Bangladesh entitled for benefits and a Regional Council was set up to govern the Hill Tracts. The agreement also laid out plans for the return of land to displaced natives and an elaborate land survey to be held in the Hill Tracts.

Bangladesh was willing to take back a section of Chakma refugees living in India, but most of them were unwilling, fearing the return of religious persecution.

Origins

Chakmas and Hajongs came to India from the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan), having lost their homes and land to the Kaptai dam project (Karnaphuli river) mid-1960s. They also faced religious persecution

Religion: Chakmas are Buddhists, while Hajongs are Hindus

Language: Chakmas' is close to Bengali-Assamese; Hajongs speak a Tibeto-Burman tongue written in Assamese Where they settled

Who stayed on...

An estimated 1 lakh Chakma and Hajong refugees are staying in India When they came in 1964, there were about 15,000 Chakmas and about 2,000 Hajongs By 2015, many of the initial group of refugees had died. Only about 5,000 were in the camps In 2010-11, a survey by MHA placed their in Arunachal's three districts at 53,730 In 1987, a new group of 45,000 Chakmas crossed over to Tripura from Bangladesh ...having called India home

To date, Chakmas observe a 'Chakma Black Day', condemning the award of Chittagong Hill Tracts to then east Pakistan in 1947 Neither did they want to be part of Bangladesh when it was formed in 1971 and launched an armed struggle Shanti Bahini for autonomy Fighting the Bangla Army routinely saw Chakmas move into India, moving to Tripura In 1990s, Sheikh Hasina's govt struck a peace deal with the Chakmas, recognizing them as a Bangla tribe But the Chakmas did not return, fearing persecution Can they vote?

In 2005, Election Commission issued guidelines to include Chakmas and Hajongs in Arunachal's electoral rolls. Names of over 1,000 Chakmas appear in Arunachal's electoral rolls

A timeline of their battle in court

Early 1990s: Committee of Citizenship Rights for the Chakmas of Arunachal Pradesh (CCRCAP) formed to fight for citizenship rights

Dec 1994: National Human Rights Commission asks Arunachal government and Centre to provide information about steps taken to protect Chakmas and Hajongs

1995: In face of a deadline set by local tribes for Chakmas, Hajongs to leave the state, NHRC moves SC seeking relief for the refugees

Nov 2, 1995: In interim order, SC directs state government to "ensure that the Chakmas situated in its territory are not ousted by any coercive action, not in accordance with law"

Jan 9, 1996: SC directs govt to expedite their citizenship applications

Sept 2015: SC gives deadline to the Centre to confer citizenship to these refugees within three months

Sept 2017: Home ministry announces citizenship to be given

Why grant citizenship now?

In 2015, the Supreme Court directed the Centre to grant citizenship to Chakma and Hajongs who had migrated from Bangladesh in 1964-69. The order was passed while hearing a plea by the Committee for Citizenship Rights of the Chakmas. Following this, the Centre introduced amendments to the Citizenship Act, 1955. The Bill is yet to be passed, as the opposition says the Bill makes illegal migrants eligible for citizenship on the basis of religion, which is a violation of Article 14 of the Constitution.

The Union government is keen in implementing the Supreme Court directive now since the BJP is the ruling party in both the Centre and Arunachal Pradesh.

The Union Home Ministry cleared the citizenship for over one lakh Chakma-Hajongs. However, they will not have any land ownership rights in Arunachal Pradesh and will have to apply for Inner Line Permits to reside in the State.

Though cleared for citizenship now, they can't own land in Arunachal and will have to apply for Inner Line Permits