Title of the PhD project: "Survival strategies of indigenous Tanchangya farmers in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh".
This dissertation project examines the survival strategies of indigenous Tanchangya farmers in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh. The main focus of the study is on the flexible strategies of resistance and adaptation that Tanchangya farmers use to negotiate with state and market actors in the spaces embedded in their everyday lives. To uncover the tensions involved in negotiating spaces of everyday interactions, the research project examines the case of the farmers of Meyachara, a coriander-growing Tanchangya village that maintains a strong community solidarity, even in the context of the rapid expansion of the market economy, and continues to maintain a 'strategic distance' from conflict while the CHT region remains an epicentre for violence. I argue that while strong community solidarity provides coriander farmers with protection in times of hardship and scarcity, the use of non-violent and flexible everyday strategies is their main method of survival.
Approach and milestones:
This study is based on ethnographic approaches with the aim of providing perspectives from the community while taking into account the researcher's subjective political position. Although based on localised ideas, it intersects with emerging global forces. The researcher pays particular attention to relational and reciprocal aspects in his engagement with research partners. The six-month ethnographic fieldwork conducted in 2019 is the main basis of this project. Central instruments of data collection are interviews, informal conversations, observations and participation in everyday as well as extraordinary rituals. At least three scientific papers based on the collected data will be the content of this cumulative dissertation.
Contact:bablu.chakma(at)rub.de, bablu_du2004(at)yahoo.com
Curriculum Vitae:
- Research and Development Policy (IEE), Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany.
- study focuses on survival strategies, social movements and identity politics of indigenous peasants
- belongs to the Chakma indigenous group.
Awards
- Australian Development Awards (ADS) from the Australian Government for completing the Master of Human Rights at Curtin University, Australia 2012-2013.
PhD project commenced:
since 2018
Scholarship:
Development-oriented scholarship from Bread for the World
- Chakma, Pallab and Bablu Chakma (2020) Bangladesh in "the Indigenous World 2020", edited by Dawayne Mamo, International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA), Copenhagen, Denmark [ISBN: 978-87-92786-98-2].
- Chakma, Bablu (2019) Madhabilata Chakma: An Unsung Hero of Indigenous Peoples in "HerStory 4: Struggles and Successes: Indigenous Women Voices and Perspectives", edited by Sushila Kumari Apa Magar, Nele Dewilde, Tizinana Uliano, Adrian Marbaniang, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), Chiang Mai, Thailand [ISBN: 978-616-7898-38-4].
- Chakma, Bablu (2019) Waters and Tanchangya Belief Systems in a Globalized World, paper presented at "8th SSEASR Conference" entitled "Rivers and Religion: Connecting Cultures of South and Southeast Asia" held on 13-16 June 2019 at University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- Chakma, Pallab and Bablu Chakma (2019) Bangladesh in "the Indigenous World 2019", edited by David Nathaniel Berger, International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA), Copenhagen, Denmark [ISBN: 978-87-92786-93-7].
- Chakma, Bablu (2018) Bangladesh in "the Indigenous World 2018", edited by Pamela Jacquelin-Andersen, International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA), Copenhagen, Denmark [ISBN: 978-87-92786-85-2].
- Chakma, Bablu (2019) Situation of the Rights of Youth, Child and Education in "Human Rights Reports on Indigenous Peoples in Bangladesh 2018", edited by Prof. Mong Shanoo Chowdhury, Kapaeeng Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh [ISBN: 978-984-34-7092-8].
- Chakma, Bablu (2016) Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and Indigenous Peoples in Bangladesh: How Have We Come? Edited by Mangal Kumar Chakma, Kapaeeng Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh [ISBN: 978-984-34-1898-2].
- Chakma, Bablu (2016) Situation of the Rights of Youth, Child and Education in "Human Rights Reports on Indigenous Peoples in Bangladesh 2015", 159-178, edited by Prof. Mong Shanoo Chowdhury, Kapaeeng Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh [ISBN: 978-984-33-8964-4].
- Chakma, Bablu (2015) Situation of the Rights of Youth, Child and Education in 'Human Rights Reports on Indigenous Peoples in Bangladesh 2014', 177-194, edited by Prof. Mong Shanoo Chowdhury, Kapaeeng Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh [ISBN: 978-984-33-8964-0].
- Chakma, Bablu and Andrew Sholomar (2015) Save People, Save the Environment of Tahirpur: Urgent Action Required, 133-140, in "Solidarity" edited by Sanjeeb Drong, Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum, Dhaka, Bangladesh [ISBN: 984-300-002346-1].
- Dhamai, Binota Moy, Mangal Kumar Chakma and Bablu Chakma (2015) State of UPR Progression 2014: Bangladesh's Indigenous Peoples' Perspective edited by Prof. Mong Shanoo Chowdhury, Kapaeeng Foundation and ActionAid Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- Chakma, Bablu (2014) Bichitra Tirki in 'HerStory Retold: A Collection of Personal Essays by Indigenous Women', 32-39, edited by Tanya Lutvey, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), Chiang Mai, Thailand [ISBN: 978-616-7898-07-0].
- Chakma, Bablu (2014) Education and Child Rights in 'Human Rights Reports on Indigenous Peoples in Bangladesh 2013', 181-202, edited by Dr Dalem Chandra Barman and Mong Sing Neo, Kapaeeng Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh [ISBN: 978-984-33-6367-1].
- Chakma, Bablu and Manik Soren (2014) Breaking the Silence: Situation of Indigenous Children in Bangladesh" in Survival Under Threat: Human Rights Situation of Indigenous Peoples in Bangladesh", 119-132, edited by Mong Shanoo Chowdhury, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) and Kapaeeng Foundation, Chiang Mai, Thailand [ISBN: 978-616-7898-05-6].
- Chakma, Bablu (2012) Education and Children in "Human Rights Reports on Indigenous Peoples in Bangladesh 2011", 185-204, edited by Dr Dalem Chandra Barman and Mong Sing Neo, Kapaeeng Foundation, Dhaka, Bangladesh [ISBN: 978-984-33-2321-7].