Life stories from Bangladesh and Colombia

Brian Thomson

This is Farms. Food. Future. – a podcast that’s Good for You, Good for the Planet, and Good for Farmers. Brought to you by the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

Welcome to Episode 87 - I’m Brian Thomson.

Michelle Tang

And co-presenting this edition, I’m Michelle Tang.

Brian

This is our second Life Stories episode… and a DOUBLE‑feature!

Michelle

With Pallab Chakma from the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh.

Brian

And Dayana Domicó from the Emberá community in Colombia.

Michelle

We’ll be talking land, identity, and hope.

Brian

And about the deep connection they share to their ancestral traditions.

Michelle

As always we want to hear from you – what you think about our stories and who you want us to be talking to – so please get in touch with us at podcasts@ifad.org.

Brian

You can also subscribe to this podcast via your favourite podcast platform and please don’t forget to rate us.

Michelle

Coming up, let’s meet Pallab Chakma from Bangladesh.

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Brian

You’re listening to Farms. Food. Future. with me Brian Thomson and Michelle Tang. Our first story is about Pallab Chakma, Executive Director of the Kapaeeng Foundation and a committed indigenous rights activist from Bangladesh.

Michelle

Pallab grew up in the Chittagong Hill Tracts – a place once described as “inhabited by tribals… this beautiful land” – before getting caught up in decades of conflict, displacement, and attempts to erase its people and traditions.

Brian

For over 14 years, he’s defended land rights, culture, and education. He holds a Master’s degree in Mediation and Conflict Resolution from the University of South Australia, and focuses on building bridges between communities and governments.

Michelle

In: 2023

Brian

His childhood was shaped by conflict. He shared some of his memories with our reporter, Rosa González.

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Rosa González

So, Pallab, growing up in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh, what was your childhood like? What do you remember?  

 

Pallab Chakma

So, I was born in the: 1980

 

And that's why, at one stage, the Bangladesh government took some assimilation policy, including a militarised region and also settling down 400,000 non-indigenous people on the land of indigenous peoples. There was fighting between the Indigenous People’s army and Bangladesh government’s security forces.  

 

On the other hand, there was a clash between the Bangla settlers against the indigenous peoples. 

Those innocents who were brought to the indigenous peoples’ land, they were also helpless. The security forces, they used those 400,000 people as human shields. So, that’s why they were also victims, as the indigenous peoples that were also victims.  

 

Our people were compelled to displace from one place to another because there was some counterattack. On the other hand, they were burning down our villages. And during that time, nearly 70,000 indigenous peoples were bound to take refuge in India.  

 

So, my childhood was just moving from one place to another for a secure place. So, my family was bound to move one place to another, we became their internally displaced persons, and that's why I was counting how many primary schools I have admitted during my primary school time. In four to five years, it was eight schools. So, in my childhood I saw this type of conflict, and also killing, torture… We saw the villages after villages were burning.  

 

Rosa  

And you had your family with you at the time, right? You were travelling around with them. 

Do you have any brothers and sisters? How many were you? 

 

Pallab  

others and my parents, but in: 1989

 

My mom was also seriously injured because she was also attacked by the settlers. And in that massacre, almost 30 people were killed, but we didn't even get the dead bodies. These are the sad things.   

 

And most of the villages were burned down. I was one of the witnesses. Yes, our indigenous peoples were killed but we didn't even get any justice of those killing.  

 

Rosa  

I'm so sorry. I can't even imagine how you deal with something like that.  

You did manage though, to return to Chittagong. When did you finally manage to go back to your town?  

  

Pallab  

Okay, then we were in Langadu, another subdivision, and later we came to the district headquarters, shifted to there, and I started my studies there. 

 

So, at one point the Indigenous Peoples’ Political Party who was fighting for their rights declared the ceasefire to open the political dialogue with the government.  

 

At the very beginning, the government took the conflict issue as an economic issue, and therefore, they wanted to take some economic development measures, but then totally ignored that this was a political issue, not an economic issue.  

 

litical Party and finally, in: 1997

 

There were some rights of indigenous peoples recognised, for example, the land problem is the main problem in Chittagong Hill Tracts. So, the land problem would be resort at a Land Dispute Resolution Commission and the internally displaced persons will be reinstated.  

 

And also Chittagong Hill Tracts would be demilitarised. The government established more than 400 temporary military camps, so the Accord mentioned that those temporary military camps would be withdrawn gradually, and there would be a ministry for Chittagong Hill Tracts and the minister must be from indigenous community. So, in the Ministry, Regional Council, District Council, all institutions would be headed by indigenous persons.  

 

There are 11 indigenous groups in Chittagong Hill Tracts, so all should be represented in the Council.  And we were very hopeful, because it actually ended two decades of conflict. 

 

Rosa  

And now you work to ensure indigenous peoples land rights. So, is this what sparked your passion for activism?  

  

Pallab  

Yeah, you know, as I told you, since my childhood, I went to this type of conflict. I saw the conflict, how people would suffer and how our land was grabbed, how our rights we're not respected, right?  

 

During my study at the university, I realized we should work for our cause. So, if we don't raise our voice, who will do it for us? 

 

That's why I was associated with different organisations, and also with my organisation, Kapaeeng Foundation. And also, at the same time, Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum. 

 

Rosa  

And talking about your foundation, the Kapaeeng Foundation, what accomplishment are you most proud of? 

 

Pallab  

ame a member of this Forum in: 2009

 

On the other hand, we are very much connected with advocacy and community mobilization. And I can give you an example.  

 

In the global South, most of the governments are reluctant to produce community data. And similarly in Bangladesh we do not have the ethnicity wise information and data, government data. That's why we were requesting how to produce data, and then finally with the help of the European Union, we together with ILO, we produced community data from more than 30 indigenous groups, including the education and cultural rights, land rights or fundamental freedoms, this type of information from the community. So, previously there was none, but now anyone can access this community data. And the different community organisations are now applying for their development projects, they are developing their project proposal, and they are including those data.  

 

Rosa  

Are there any of those traditions that you helped recollect that you'd like to share? Maybe some food that reminds you of home? Some traditional indigenous foods that you like?  

 

Pallab  

Well, yeah, there are some traditional foods. And then currently I'm also involved in one such entrepreneurship in in my hometown. We are promoting eco-tourism and authentic food of indigenous peoples, not the fusion one [ha ha], the authentic one. And we usually like some food cooked in bamboo tubes. Bamboo chicken. So, chicken cooked in bamboo tubes, and also fish cooked in bamboo tubes. So, this is very popular, and I personally like ot very much. So now we are promoting all these foods locally.  

 

Rosa  

Mhm. That's fantastic. And what do you hope for the future of Chittagong and for the indigenous peoples in Bangladesh? 

 

Pallab

 

Okay. Suppose in last August 5th there was a revolution right in Bangladesh. And through the revolution we got one change scenario. So, the previous government was pulled out actually from the power, so now new government came, and this government is trying to reform processes.  

 

So, previously our political party fought for their rights, if our rights, if our identity was not recognised in the Constitution, and now this new government constituted ten reform commissions and now we indigenous peoples are also approaching to those commissions to put our recommendations to those commissions so that our aspirations will be reflected in new Bangladesh.  

 

From our indigenous perspective, we are raising our voices, we are trying hard to reach out to the policymakers. At the same time, we need partnership. So, we need partnership at local level, national level, international level. So, on behalf of us, if someone in some organisation, some interest group raised our voice globally, it is very helpful for us. Suppose if Amnesty International issued a statement for us, which is very helpful for us. So, this is how we need international partnership so that our rights will be recognised in the country.  

 

And we are very hopeful that this new commission, new Bangladesh will recognise indigenous peoples’ rights, and they will respect indigenous peoples' rights and we will get an inclusive Bangladesh, where this is Bangladesh will recognise the marginalised people, indigenous peoples, ethnic minority and religious minorities. This Bangladesh will be for all people. That's why we are very hopeful, but the problem is still going to be militarisation, internally displaced persons, and our land rights, our land problem isn’t resolved yet, so these problems will be addressed, and our rights will be recognised. We hope so.  

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Michelle

Thank you, Pallab and Rosa. To find out more about Pallab’s Foundation, you can visit www.kapaeengnet.org. That’s K – A – P – A – double E – N – G – N – E – T dot org.

Brian

And don't forget to check out also our latest episodes!

Michelle

Yes! Episode 84 might just change the way you think about fashion – with sustainable bio-leather from Shiringa trees in the Peruvian Amazon, and orange-peel fabrics made in Italy.

Brian

Then in episode 85 we explore extreme climates—from Mongolia with IFAD’s Recipes for Change chef Si King to South Africa with award-winning pomegranate farmer activist Jack Lewis.

Michelle

And in episode 86 we tell you all about what’s next for development finance.

Brian

Coming up now, from Bangladesh to Colombia, we meet Dayana Domicó, a young Emberá woman carrying forward her community’s farming traditions while stepping into a new generation of leadership.

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Michelle

You’re listening to episode 87 of Farms. Food. Future. with me Michelle Tang and Brian Thomson.

Our second story comes from Colombia, where we meet Dayana Domicó – a young leader from the indigenous Emberá community.

Brian

Dayana grew up in the village of Choromandó, in the middle of the mountains – where her mornings began with gathering plantains, hunting, fishing, and planting alongside her family.

Michelle

Dayana grew up in the village of Choromandó, in the middle of the mountains – where her mornings began with gathering plantains, hunting, fishing, and planting alongside her family

Brian

and later, to take on a leadership role within Colombia’s National Indigenous Organization, ONIC.

Michelle

She’s now a teacher, a farmer, and an advocate – working with her community to defend their rights and promote sustainable practices.

Brian

Dayana has also faced displacement – three times. She spoke to our reporter Kat Velastegui about how those experiences shaped her and where her journey’s taking her next.

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Kat Velastegui

Welcome, Dayana, to Farms. Food. Future. It’s great to have you with us. To start, could you tell us a bit about where you grew up and what life was like in your community? What did a typical day look like?   

Dayana Domicó

Thank you very much for the invitation. 

My community is located in Alto San Jorge, in Córdoba, Colombia – It’s good to situate ourselves. It’s an indigenous reserve of the Emberá people. A typical day there is waking up very early, and the routine usually involves gathering around the fire, at least for the women. Then, my mother would always take me with her, saying, “Let’s go cut plantains, or let’s go fishing, or let’s go hunting, or let’s go do some planting activity.” Another thing that always comes to mind is the fruit seasons, like the mamoncillo – Spanish lime – or mango seasons. 

We didn’t have many toys or anything like that growing up. I didn’t grow up with many toys, and the toys we had were animals like little pigs or kittens. We would have competitions among the kids. We’d place a mango in front, take the little pigs, and the pig that reached the mango first would win. I have memories of that, and it’s part of the everyday life there – the family’s daily activities. Planting is always a family activity, whether with my mother, father, or maternal uncle, who is like a father to us. It’s part of the routine to go bathe in the river, if it’s nearby. 

Kat

That sounds so full of life and connection. And those moments with the little pigs – what a beautiful memory. Are there other memories from your childhood that have stayed with you over the years? 

Dayana

I think the memory of the little pigs is the one I hold closest to my heart and in my memory. The simple fact of being able to play with certain animals, and the little pigs were very special because it was a game we played as children. Another memory is that I always wanted a backpack, but since our weaving is different, the backpacks were much heavier, and as a child, I would end up tearing them. I made my own backpack using rice bags. When I opened it, it looked like a little bag, and that was my favorite backpack. I used it to collect all the mamoncillos or Spanish limes. It was a special opportunity to share those moments with my grandmother. When I was very young, we kids weren’t allowed to climb trees much because we could fall, so those moments are very unique and memorable for me. 

Kat

It’s beautiful how those small things hold so much meaning. And what about food? Was there something you ate growing up that really brings back those memories? 

Dayana

Well, there are many dishes in my community because we are hunters. We eat food from the forest. Something I always remember is the iguana. We eat iguana, armadillo, wild boar, fish, but there are many dishes I can recall that hold a lot of meaning. One is corn, which is a fundamental food for our lives. During harvest season, you have the opportunity to make many things with corn: you can make chicha – a traditional fermented corn drink – for a celebration, to welcome visitors, or for the family. It’s very versatile and usually accompanied by other types of food. It’s the sustenance of the family. Corn can never be missing, nor can plantains. It has a lot to do with our connection to specific foods.  

Kat

Yeah... It’s so clear how deep that connection to food and land runs. And you’ve also mentioned your leadership journey – so, what led you there? Were there moments or challenges that really shaped that path? 

Dayana

I found out at 23 why, at that time, I was already the leader of a national indigenous organization, the O-N-I-C that stands for National Indigenous Organization of Colombia. I had many questions. Why was I in an environment with so many elders, and I was the youngest? Because it had always been like that. 

It was then that my grandmother sat me down and told me, “What’s happening is that there’s a process you need to know about.” 

Personally, I’ve been displaced three times due to armed conflict. My family has experienced even more. After part of my family was killed due to the armed conflict, or due to spiritual reasons, and because of certain dynamics happening at that time, the elders decided to instill in someone the ability to, in the future, defend their people and their family. That’s when “Dokera”, my traditional name, Dokera Domicó, emerged. My grandmother had already begun to pave that path. 

Despite all that, the issue of conflict was always present. My grandmother, my family – and specifically my mother, my uncles – were displaced, and that also led to the emergence of leadership. My grandmother began to learn more about other communities. From generation to generation, there was formation, and when it reached my time, that’s when I realized, at 23 years old specifically, why I had started an organizational process at the age of 14. 

It was then that my grandmother sat me down and said, “Look, the community is going through this, we’re displaced again, we don’t have someone who knows and speaks Spanish well.” I learned to speak Spanish at 14 years old, and at that time, I was also the first woman to enter a university. 

So it was like, “You have a path that was made for you,” but it comes with that lineage and that process from before. 

Kat

And looking ahead, what are your hopes for young people and indigenous communities? 

Dayana

I want to focus on what’s most tangible for me. Ultimately, what does it mean to be Emberá? What does it mean to be part of your community? What does your law of origin say? How does an Emberá woman emerge? How does an Emberá man emerge? 

But above all, how did the creation of the world come about? If people know how the world was created and how we the Emberá People emerged, why we dress differently, why we have different weavings, why we speak differently, why we eat differently... When you understand that as a child or young person, you’ve already won part of the organizational process. But above all, it’s about ensuring there’s a generational shift because it’s not just about being a leader; leaders have to be spiritually planted, rooted – and that planting happens at a certain time. The idea is that leaders are preserved through spirituality, through their law of origin, but above all, they’re preserved by giving advice to other generations. 

That’s my hope – that young people can go beyond political or organizational leadership, that they can understand it more spiritually and culturally, and also in terms of their identity. 

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Michelle

Thank you Dayana and Kat. For more “Life Stories” you can check out Episode 79 of this podcast, based in Suriname and Ethiopia.

Brian

And that brings us to the end of this episode.

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Brian

Thanks as always to our producers and editor here in Rome, Rosa González, Francesco Manetti, Francesca Primavilla, to our reporter Kat Velastegui and to Silvia Massimi.

Michelle

But most of all thanks to you for listening to this episode of Farms. Food. Future. brought to you by the International Fund for Agricultural Development.

Brian

We’ll be back in two weeks with Chef Ana Villota and Sabrina Elba.

Michelle

And don’t forget to join us on the second Monday in August to celebrate Youth Day!

Brian

Time to trade your work shoes for flip-flops, so make sure you take some time to soak up the sun and remember – youth is a state of mind.

Brian and Michelle

Stay tuned!

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Brian

 

This is Farms. Food. Future. – a podcast that’s Good for you, Good for the Planet, and Good for Farmers.  Brought to you by the International Fund for Agricultural Development.     

 

You can find out more about all of our stories at www.ifad.org/podcasts  

 

Remember we want to hear from you – what you think about our stories and who you want us to be talking to – so please get in touch at podcasts@ifad.org. Send us your voice or text messages to this address and we'll be happy to play you out in the next show.   

 

Also, don't forget to subscribe to this podcast via your favourite podcast platform and please rate us.  

 

And once again, we'll be trying to be Good for you, Good for the Planet, and Good for Farmers.  Brought to you by the International Fund for Agricultural Development.     

 

Until then from me, Brian Thomson, and the team here at IFAD.  

 

Thanks for listening.