1.2 Name of the element, as used by the community or group concerned
Marma Religion - Buddhism
1.3 Short, maximally informative title (including indication of domain(s))
Religion and rituals followed by Marma people (in Bangladesh) which is Budhism (while many of them are getting converted to other religions)
1.4 Community(ies)/group(s) that recognize the element as part of their cultural heritage
Chakma, Marma, Tanchangya, other Jumma people living in chittagong hill tracts.
1.5 Physical location(s) of the element/how often it is practiced
Chittagong Hill Tracts : Bandarban, Khagrachari and Rangamati Hill Districts. Some Marmas live in Bangladesh's coastal districts of Cox's Bazar and Patuakhali.
1.6 Short description (max. 200words)
The Marmas are mostly Buddhists in faith, yet animism is also in practice. They participate in important Buddhist religious festivals, as well as perform various rites and rituals to satisfy different gods. The Marmas speak an Arakanese dialect, with their written language making use of intricate Burmese script.
Marmas mostly depend on agriculture, traditionally practicing slash-and-burn cultivation on the hills. Their belief in Theravada Buddhism, with an emphasis on ritual practices in deities.
Marmas follow the Burmese calendar. They celebrate the New Year, called Sangrain, which begins on the first day of Bohag. They make sangraimu, which is a form of traditional cakes.
They have established the Bohmong and Mong Circles.
The Marmas are subdivided into 12 clans, named after the place from where they migrated.
They celebrate the New Year, called Sangrain. Other major religious festivals include, Buddha Purnima, Parbana Purnima,
Pushpa puja, Pradip puja, paniyo puja,
They have adong soaing as breakfast and moindiye soaing as lunch during the festival days.
In temples they have liquids foods after 12pm.
After death, Marma elderlies are cremated, while younger deceased Marmas are buried
1.7 Domain of the element (select one or more/suggest alternative domain)
2. Characteristics of the element
2.1 Practitioners(s)/performer(s): roles, age, gender, social status, and/or professional category etc)
Almost anyone can practice the rituals and everyone can play every role of the rituals. Usually, women tend to play greater role, as they usually organize everything. Marma people do not have the cast system and they do not divide themselves depending on social status during any ritual. They also do not divide themselves based on gender or age or any external fact.
2.2 Other tradition bearers (individuals/groups and their roles)
Usually tradition bearers are the people who practice the religion and the language from their temples, which is known as "Bihar" or "buddha bihar". They gather knowledge from the senior religious practitioners about mythologies, the language and also the rituals and practices, by spending a greater amount of time at the temples everyday; and sometimes staying there for religious cause and following the rules and regulations of the temple.
Marma is a member of the Lolo-Burmese branch of the Tibeto-Burman language family. It is considered one of the dialects of Arakanese, along with Ramree and Sandowa. Marma is written with a version the Burmese alphabet.
2.4 Associated tangible elements ( if any)
Lifestyle of Marma people. Their clothing and the traditional weaving technology. Their usage of natural utensils. Use of bamboo, wild grass and straw, wood to build house and also the architecture.
2.5 Associated intangible elements (if any)
Marma Language.
2.6 How are women and people of other genders associated with this ICH element
This ICH element is for everyone. hence, everyone including women and other genders play same role, equally.
2.7 Division of labour during the practice of aforementioned ICH element
Although, women tend to organise everything and cook for everyone. But there is no division of labour hence everyone can play every role.
2.8 Customary practices governing access to the element or to aspects of it
Practices done by other Buddhist communities and communities living in the same region.
2.9 Modes of transmission
The "Buddha Bihar" or the buddhist temples situated in the places where Marma people are living, i.e. Bandarban, Khagrachari and Rangamati Hill Districts. Some living in Bangladesh's coastal districts of Cox's Bazar and Patuakhali.
2.10 Organizations concerned (non-governmental organizations and others)
Can not find any local NGO concerned and general Marma people are not aware of any such NGO.
3. State of the element (viability)
3.1 Threats to the enactment (if any)
Other religious extremists that are situated in Bangladesh who tries to convert Marma people to their religion.
3.2 Threats to the transmission (if any)
No threats.
3.3 Threat to associated tangible elements and resources (if any)
No Threats.
3.4 Viability of associated intangible elements (if any)
3.5 Safeguarding measures in place (if any)
No safeguarding measures taken yet. (not known to the general people).
4. Data gathering/documentation, Consent and preparation of inventory entries
4.1 Consent of community/group/individuals concerned for data collection with a view to inventorying
Concent form is attached.
4.2 Restrictions, if any, on use of data collected
Not known yet.
5. Resource Person
5.1 Persons/groups, including community representatives
Kongchai Mogh Marma
5.2 Date(s) and place(s) of data gathering
Date : 2020-05-26 Place(s) : Over Telephone call.
6. Safeguarding techniques
6.1 Existing safeguarding techniques in the community for the safeguarding of the ICH element
Practicing the religion and the language from their temples, which is known as "Bihar" or "buddha bihar". Gathering knowledge from the senior religious practitioners about mythologies, the language and also the rituals and practices, by spending a greater amount of time at the temples everyday; and sometimes staying there for religious cause and following the rules and regulations of the temple.
6.2 Suggestions for safeguarding of the ICH element from the community
Create books with the basic knowledge on the language and the stories behind the rituals which will influence young people to know about the culture and practices.
Conduct seminars where the importance of the practices and lifestyle will be discussed and influence young generation to learn and maintain their own practices and hence proudly carry their identity.
Advertisements promoting their culture and practises which can be streamed through television and internet or social media.
7. References to literature, discography, audiovisual materials or archives
7.1 References to/in literature
Proper Books about rituals and practices can be found in their temples.
"Study of Vaikalyakara Marma with special reference to Kurpara Marma"
"Concept of Vitapa Marma" - A Conceptual Review Article
7.2 Audiovisual materials or archives
Proper audionvisual materials or archives about rituals and practices can be found in the temples for marma people.
7.3 Discography or archives
Can be found in the temples for marma people.
8. Modalities for updating the information contained in the inventory entry
8.1 Persons/groups, including community representatives, who compiled the inventory entry
Kongchai Mogh Marma
8.2 Consent of community/group/individuals concerned for data collection with a view to inventorying
Attached
8.3 Date of community consent to include the entry on an inventory
2020-05-26
8.4 Present condition of the cultural element
Becoming less
9. Community suggestions
(a)Brief description of suggestions for safeguarding of the element by community members/experts/holders, if any
Creating books for kids, and conducting seminars.
(b)Brief description of restrictions on use of data collected, if any