Orientation Guide to Bangladesh and the Bengali Culture: Religion, Traditions, Family Life, Urban and Rural Populations, Geography, History, Economy, Society and Security

Bangladesh, meaning “Bengal country,” is home to the Bengali people who have their ancestral roots in eastern India. They remain linked to Indian Bengalis through their language, Bangla (or Bengali), which is related to Sanskrit. Although Bengalis in both countries are also connected by deep cultural traditions, this report will focus on those in Bangladesh. Here, they form 98% of the population and are nationally referred to as Bangladeshis. Most support themselves through agricultural work, yet they must contend with annual cycles of drought or flooding which disrupt their lives and livelihoods. In addition, Bangladesh is severely overcrowded, with 150 million people living in an area slightly smaller than the state of Iowa. These problems exist alongside weak governance and political tensions over suspended elections and ongoing extremist militancy. In spite of all the problems, the people of Bangladesh continue to support a democratic political system as the best way to build their future.
This book, produced by Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC), provides comprehensive information about Bangladesh and the Bengali Culture. Chapter topics include religion, traditions, family life and differences in the lifestyles of urban and rural populations as well as detailed discussion of geography, history and their economy, form of government, society and security and much more.
81 pages; dozens of photos, illustration and charts in full color.
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