ResearchOnline@JCU This file is part of the following reference: Islam, Md. Rafiul (2014) Culture, economy and identity: a study of the Oraon ethnic community in the Barind region of Bangladesh. PhD thesis, James Cook University. Access to this file is available from: http://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/41601/ The author has certified to JCU that they have made a reasonable effort to gain permission and acknowledge the owner of any third party copyright material included in this document. If you believe that this is not the case, please contact [email protected] and quote http://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/41601/ Culture, Economy and Identity: A Study of the Oraon Ethnic Community in the Barind Region of Bangladesh Md Rafiul Islam A Thesis Submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy College of Arts, Society and Education James Cook University Australia September 2014 Statement on the Contribution of Others Nature of Assistance Contribution Names, Titles (if relevant) and Affiliations of Co-Contributors Intellectual Support Editorial Assistance Editorial assistance was provided by: Prof Rosita Henry, Discipline of Anthropology, College of Arts, Society and Education, James Cook University Dr Elizabeth Tynan, Senior Lecturer and Co-ordinator Research Student Academic Support, James Cook University Graduate Research School Ms Rhian Morgan, PhD Candidate, Discipline of Anthropology, College of Arts, Society and Education, James Cook University Financial Support Field Research School Fund, College of Arts, Society and Education, James Cook University Stipend James Cook University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship, April 2011 to September 2014 ii Declaration on Ethics The research presented and reported in this thesis was conducted within the guidelines for research ethics outlined in the National Statement on Ethics Conduct in Research Involving Human (1999) the Joint NHMRC/AVCC Statement and Guidelines on Research Practice (1997), the James Cook University Policy on Experimentation Ethics. Standard Practices and Guidelines (2001) and the James Cook University Statement and Guidelines on Research Practice (2001). The proposed research methodology received clearance from the James Cook University Experimentation Ethics Review Committee: Approval number: H4270 Signature: Name: Md Rafiul Islam Date: September 2014 iii Statement of Access I, the undersigned, author of this work, understand that James Cook University will make this thesis available for use within the University Library and, via the Australian Digital Thesis network, for use elsewhere. I understand that, as an unpublished work, a thesis has significant protection under the Copyright Act and I do not wish to place any further restriction on access to this work. Signature: Name: Md Rafiul Islam Date: September 2014 iv Statement of Sources Declaration I declare that this thesis is my own work and has not been submitted in any form for another degree or diploma at any university or other institution of tertiary education. Information derived from the published or unpublished work of others has been acknowledged in the text and a list of references is given. Every reasonable effort has been made to gain permission and acknowledge the owners of copyright material. I would be pleased to hear from any copyright owner who has been omitted or incorrectly acknowledged. Signature: Name: Md Rafiul Islam Date: September 2014 v Acknowledgements ‘Culture, Economy and Identity: A Study of the Oraon Ethnic Community in the Barind Region of Bangladesh’ would not have been possible without the help of many different people and organisations. I first acknowledge the support and acceptance of my candidature as a postgraduate research student at James Cook University, Australia. I thank the Graduate Research School at James Cook University for nominating me as a postgraduate research student and offering me a James Cook University International Postgraduate Research Scholarship from 2011 to September 2014 to enable a successful completion of my research thesis. This research scholarship has contributed to my professional career that I have been able to pursue through my study abroad. I am also thankful for the support I have received from the school fund at the College of Arts, Society and Education to travel to Bangladesh for my ethnographic fieldwork. I am grateful to all the professors and professionals who contributed to my research study at James Cook University. I thank and express my gratitude to my principal supervisor Professor Rosita Henry. Her support and acceptance of me as a research student of anthropology at James Cook University have marked the insights of this research project. It is she who contributed to my research endeavour and my professional career through the present study. I first contacted her for my research endeavour and it was her response to my interests in conducting this study that engaged me in this research project and led me to travel to James Cook University in the first place. Professor Henry has encouraged me and helped a lot through her cordial supervision of my research project. Her supervision, guidance and enthusiasm have contributed to the accomplishment of this research project within three and a half years. Throughout the entire course of my fieldwork in Bangladesh, I received her unbounded support and advice and kind comments to gather necessary data and information from the research participants. Although I interrupted her through my study, she accepted my interruptions cordially and advised me to accomplish my thesis writing. My non-native English writing required her to read many drafts from vi the beginning of this research project. Her advice and kind comments on my thesis writing were crucial to the whole study. I am also thankful to Professor Ton Otto, who was my co-supervisor throughout the entire period of my research study at James Cook University. Professor Otto has advised and provided me with necessary materials to discuss issues and a few points of my study. His advice, encouragement and comments on my understanding at the beginning stage of this project have contributed to my study. I acknowledge Professor Otto’s advice and help in developing my research project. I also thank and acknowledge Dr Robin Rodd, who was an associate supervisor and contributed to my study strategically. Dr Robin supervised my work while my principal supervisor Professor Rosita Henry was away from the campus for her research projects or anthropology work elsewhere. I am thankful to the faculty members of anthropology, archaeology and sociology at the College of Arts, Society & Education of James Cook University. I mention and thank Dr Mark Chong, Dr Shelley Greer, Dr Anita Lundberg, Dr Nigel Chang, Dr Theresa Petray, Dr Simon Foale and Dr Glenn Dawes, all of whom showed interest in my research project. These academics generously offered support and friendship so that I did not feel lonely at the School. I also cordially thank all my fellow postgraduate students of anthropology with whom I have discussed issues related to my project. I feel at home and like I am with family when I am with them at James Cook University. The comments and suggestions of my fellow students enhanced my understanding in this research study. Here, I also thank Dr Liz Tynan and all the professors who conduct the professional/research skills workshops at the University and helped develop my understanding of academic and thesis writing. I acknowledge my engagement in a professional position at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. I am thankful to all my professors of anthropology at the University of Dhaka, where I work as a faculty member. I am thankful to the administration at University of Dhaka for awarding me the necessary study leave from my regular work and responsibilities at the University to pursue my present study at James Cook University. I acknowledge cooperation from the administration at the University of Dhaka to enable me to accomplish my study. When I returned to vii Bangladesh for my ethnographic fieldwork, I reported to the administration at the University of Dhaka that my fieldwork focuses on Barind, North-West Bangladesh. The administration confidently cooperated with me so that I could accomplish my fieldwork and the necessary data collection in Bangladesh. I acknowledge the support and cooperation from the administration at the University of Dhaka that has contributed to this research study. I also acknowledge the cooperation and encouragement of all my colleagues and friends at home, who wished me success in my research endeavour. The Oraon community of Bangladesh deserves special thanks for their cooperation and support in conducting this research project. The Oraon research participants helped me during the entire course of my ethnographic fieldwork among them to accomplish this study within my limited time and resources. I thank my research participants for their consent and for the time they contributed to this research project. I thank those research participants who provided important books and materials on the Oraon community to develop my research. I acknowledge and thank all my research participants for their time and entertainment, data and information, support and comments. I also thank my parents and my family at home for their support and cooperation. In particular I acknowledge the contribution of my parents and my elder brother. My father and my brother, who look after all my family members and purposes in my absence from home, allowed me to concentrate on my study. I also gratefully acknowledge my mother’s invaluable support which has given me the confidence to study abroad. I thank my sisters, nephews, niece and all my family at home, who have allowed me to stay longer abroad than usual so that I can accomplish my study at James Cook University, Australia. Md Rafiul Islam Townsville, Australia September 2014 viii Abstract Culture, Economy and Identity: A Study of the Oraon Ethnic Community in the Barind Region of Bangladesh concerns identity politics among Oraons in Bangladesh.