Illustration: Manan Morshed
Every year we celebrate International Mother Language Day with much
pomp and ceremony. However, in the very heart of Bangladesh, the mother
languages of the indigenous communities have become victims of
politico-cultural authoritarianism. With the increasing cultural
dominance and lack of preservation effort, many of these rich languages
are on the edge of total obliteration. This week, the Star Weekend goes
on a bicycle ride with Rubayet Hossain, a cyclist who rides in and
through the districts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, the home of
numerous indigenous communities, to learn about how these rich languages
and cultures are being wiped out.
To know more, check out this week's
spotlight
