Chittagong - People and Culture

People and Culture

Chittagong has attracted people from around the world. The various waves of settlements left a lasting impact on the language and culture of the city. The origins of the people of the city are diverse and multi-ethnic. The most significant contributors to the population are indigenous Tibeto-Burman people, and traders and settlers of Arab, Afghan and Mughal origin, all of whom had traveled from the North West or to the shores many hundreds of years ago and is known as Chittagongi or Chatga peoople. There are many Tibeto-Burman tribes that have been influenced by Bengali culture also living there, such as the Chakma tribe. The descendants of Portuguese settlers, known as the Firingi, also continue to live in Chittagong, as Catholic Christians, in the old Portuguese enclave of Paterghatta. Here, majority of the urban people are involved in the import-export, trade-commerce and various industrial and business activities along with many other private and government sector occupations like other port Cities of the globe.

Lungi or punjabi-pajama is the most common costume for men and Saree for women. Rice and fish is the staple food of the people. Because of close affinity to the sea, seafood is quite popular. Vegetables commonly found in the market are gourds, pumpkins, various legumes, etc. Fruits include jack fruits, ice-apples, coconuts, bananas, custard apple, etc.Shutki mach/dried fish is a specialty. Chatgaiya songs are one of the top local favorites. Dance is another famous cultural sector of Chitttagong.

Chittagong is the home town of Dr. Mohammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank, the pioneer of Microcredit, who won Nobel Prize in Peace in 2006.