Review of the Lifestyle Issues of the Khumi Community

Abstract

The Khumi community is primarily patriarchal and is a notable ethnic group in Bangladesh, India, and Myanmar. They reside in the western part of Myanmar, specifically in the Arakan hill region. Their settlements are found in the hilly areas adjacent to the India-Bangladesh border. The data analysis reveals the comprehensive insights into the socio-demographic, health-related, education-related, income, and livelihood characteristics of the Khumi community in remote hilly regions of Bangladesh. Most of the participants are male, farmers, and Christian. Health issues, such as their eye problems and ankle pain, vary between the genders, with a notable reliance on local pharmacies for their healthcare services. Education-wise, illiteracy is prevalent, and economic and teacher-related obstacles hinder their education accessibility. Monthly and yearly income distributions highlight their economic disparities, with a significant proportion earning between the ranges of 3,001 to 5,500 Taka monthly. Livelihood-related characteristics showcase a heavily reliance on solar power, diverse agricultural practices, and predominantly nuclear family structures. The various challenges in livelihood, including economic, cultural, healthcare, education, communication, and linguistic issues, are addressed through the community-driven solutions. There are various notable efforts focus on water drainage, transportation system improvement, electricity infrastructure enhancement, primary school education, and agricultural training. Therefore, the study concludes that the Khumi community faces various economic vulnerability, educational disparities, and cultural erosion while the recommendations include community-centric development programs, education enhancement, healthcare access improvement, agricultural support, infrastructure development, preservation of culture, social welfare programs, government-community collaboration, research and data collection, and awareness and advocacy efforts. Implementing these numerous recommendations can contribute to the overall development of the Khumi community with addressing their various unique challenges and fostering the sustainable progress.