Socio-economic Profile of Indigenous Koch Community: A Study in Gazipur District, Bangladesh

Bangladesh, a densely populated country, situates in South-Asia holding approximately forty-five indigenous communities from the very beginning of human civilization. Among different indigenous communities, the Koch is one of them which has been considered as the most morphemes one, prevailing multiple variations. Based on historical account that the Koch community has been residing in Bangladesh since one thousand and three hundred years ago in various places especially, in Rangpur, Dinajpur, Naogaon, Netrokona, Mymansingh and largely in Gazipur district. In contrast to other indigenous communities, the Koch community is deeply found as vulnerable, distressed, illiterate, impoverish with physical and mental disorder. Almost, all the Koch communities are habited to face with unhygienic environment as well as rustic social values living in Gazipur district. They are regarded as the Koch community only by birth and they are totally deprived of getting proper education, cultural practice, political involvement, economic and social status including healthcare and cure. They are also totally unable to raise their voices because of having different obstacles. The aim of the study was to know the socioeconomic profile of the Koch community in different segments of their lives and livelihoods. We used household survey along with in-depth interviews of thirty participants to collect primary data along with reviewing some specific literature related to the topic. The findings of the study revealed that Koch indigenous people are getting gradually marginalized, underprivileged, under pressured, disadvantaged, bearing backward sociocultural practices, lack of fundamental human rights and family needs and necessities, impoverish health status as well as curing practices. Their present socio-economic and cultural conditions do not deserve their own history and heritage. They are socially excluded to survive for their lives and livelihoods because of illiteracy, lack of awareness, traditional knowledge and customs, in comparison with other communities.