Introduction:
Chak is one of sub-tribe of Chagmas, who living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) since 9th century. They mostly living in Naikhongchari upazila under the Bandarban district of Bangladesh. The Chaks are considered to be a sub-group of the Chakma (Lewin 1869:65). In Arakan they called them as “Sak” and the “Chak” in CHT. Descended from the same people as the Chakma. The Chaks call themselves “Asak”. The Sak people those who are living in Arakan also calls itself “Asak”. The Chaks are divided into two sects: Ando and Ngarek.
According to Chagma literature, the word “Chak” derive from “Chakki” which means “witness”. During the ancient times, if any disputes or problems arise in the society, usually dispute settle by the Raja or King of the Chagmas. During the judgement, the Chakki played an important role. Even still now, playing an important role in the society when occurred dispute.
It is also found that a town named as “Chak” in ancient India. Its an important town in Shikarpur District, Sindh and a fast growing town with good literacy rate and improving infrastructure. Chak also has an important place in the district politically, socially and economically. People are hard working and industrious . Population is around 30,000 in the town.
The word “Chak” is said to be derived from a Sindhi word “Chakki”(pot wheel) used to make pottery from clay. The clay was obtained from the “Cheeki Matti”, the mud from the “Kacha” area inside the nearby levies Sindhi bordering the town from the Indus River. It is said that there used to live many potters in the area and the town got its name from the “Chakki” used by these people.
Origin:\
They also first people in CHT with Chagmas, who came to settle in 9th century and some groups was migrated in the CHT in 18th century from the upper regions of the River Iravati of Myanmar. We also found that the Chak people living in Myanmar.
Population:
The population of Chaks are very little in scatter in the district of Bandarban of CHT. The total population approximately 10,000 in CHT of Bangladesh and 10,000 in Arakan State of Myanmar. But the population figure is not available recorded in the Government statistics.
Social Structure:
Chaks have their own group leader. The leader play an important role in the society in all respect. The society highly respect to their leaders called “Yeng Do”. They also sub-divided into two sub-groups called “Ando” and “Yarek”. If any disputes arise among the society, the Yeng Do along with his colleagues settled the dispute.
Lifestyle:
Chaks prepared to live in the slopes of the hill and mostly in the river bank. They build their houses with bamboos and trees. The roof of the houses are oval roofing covered by bamboo and banana leaves. The matting platforms is five to eight feet above the ground level and is supported by strong and big timber and bamboo posts. The walls are made with bamboo slate. The house is divided into many rooms.
Livelihood:
Like other indigenous hill tribe in the CHT, agricultural is the main occupation of the Chaks. Jhum system of cultivation is their primary agricultural pursuit. Both males and females take part in agricultural work. They also supplement their food requirement by gathering tree leaves, roots, and tubers from hill forests. The activity of Chak women is weaving. Like Murung, the Chaks were not market oriented in the past and even in the present is very few. Their economic activities and production system were geared to their subsistence. Businessmen, shopkeepers and service holders are rarely found in their society. Child labour is unknown. They also weave and make salt and molasses.
Culture:
The socio-cultural life of Chak is limited and even no any organisation yet founded by themselves. Their culture still at their locality. They are still far from government programmes of development. Because of the indigenous people of CHT unrest in the last three decades, the Chaks village was in isolated position, the working conditions for non-government organisations had not been favourable in their areas.
Language:
Chaks have their own dialect, which has close resemblance and mixed with Chagmas and Tanchagyas. The counting numbers, name of the days, months and years are similar to the Chagmas. They do not have any literature of their own. Riddles, proverbs and folk tales are familiar in the Chak society. Yeng Do as their leader play an important role for the maintenance of traditional education system in the society. From other sources found that their language resembles Kadu which is spoken in Myitkhyina district of northern Myanmar, and also with Andro and Sengmai languages of Manipur district in India.
Food:
Rice and boiled vegetables are major food items of the Chak people. Like the Marmas and Chagmas , “ Seedol or Nappi” a paste of dried fish, is a favourite. They enjoy rice bear and smoke indigenous cigars. Their favourite hobbies to catching fish and hunting animals. Their diet also includes fish and pulses. Pork and dried fish are favourite foods too. They serve decorated cakes and sweet rice porridge on ceremonial occasion.
Education:
The language of Chak belongs to the Chagma group of languages. Chak children start their education at Buddhist Temple called “Hiyangs” . They receive both religious and linguistic education there. The rate of literacy is very low. Compared to other religious groups, the literacy rate among Chak is very low due to proper system of education institute in their village. The Government educational institutes not yet enter in their areas, for which very few boys and girls are able read and write in and outside their locality.
Marriage:
Marriage is a very important part of the social life of Chaks. Inter-tribe marriage is prevalent among them. Cross cousin marriages and monogamy are predominant features of this society. Polygamy is also allowed. Child marriage is practically forbidden. Pre-marriage love is still uncommon. Both men and women have equal rights to divorce although the final settlement is to be made in the court of Yeng Do (village leader).
Religion:
They are Buddhist since immemorial. Like the Buddhists of Chagmas, Tanchayas and Marmas, Chaks are Theravada Buddhists. In religious matters they divided in two groups. They are Monastic and Laity. The Monastic, those who renounced the worldly life and stay in the temple and maintain celibacy, wear yellow robes called them “Buddhist monk” and while the Laity, the lay followers live in the worldly life with their wife, children and relatives and observe the five precepts. The Buddhist monks play an important role in the society too, especially religious occasion.
They believe that their birth, death and reincarnation. Animism is also in practice among them. They perform all the important Buddhist religious festivals and also various rituals and worships to satisfy different gods. Dreams have a very strong influence in decision making in their everyday life.
They observe various Buddhist festivals with great devotion. The birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha is one of their major religious ceremonies. They also observe the Maghi Purnima, Prabarana Purnima, Kathin Chibar Dan and so on. Everybody takes part in this festival. Young boys and girls sing songs and perform dances in groups. The occasions of “Buddha Purnima” or “Kathin Chibar Dan” one sees the monks come out in a queue to receive alms from their lay disciples.
Death Ritual:
Like Chagmas, they also burn their dead body. The funeral ceremony held after seven days from the dead. They invite Buddhist monk for chanting during the funeral ceremony.
Traditional Dress:
Chak women wear a dress called “Nafiyi”, which is like Pinon of Chakma women. It has a black ground with white borders on top and bottom. They also wear “Boidoi Puju” as a blouse on the upper part of the body. It is made of white and black yarn. Chak women wrap around their head a cloth known as “Bankeubang”. Their men wear Lungis and shirts and wrap “Khobong” around their heads. They wear clothes like the Marmas and Chakmas and also share many traits of their character.