Paw Kha

Amidst one of the most complicated and difficult contexts for peacebuilders to be found anywhere in the world, four fellows from the European Union-funded ALLY project are shining a spotlight on the art and culture that still flourishes there. With financial and technical support from ALLY, four fellows in Bangladesh – Sumaya Rahman Kanti, Farhana Shanaz, Fahmid Khan, and Najia Nuray Jarin – designed their Social Action Plan (SAP), “Paw Kha” (White Flower).

Through the conflict in Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) officially ending with a peace accord in 1997, indigenous communities continue to experience widespread discrimination, violence, and abuse. Violent conflict persists between and within the religious and ethnic majority and minority communities. Indigenous communities are particularly vulnerable in CHT and commonly report instances of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), the deprivation of rights, and violations of religious sites among other human rights violations.

“We utilized the “soft power” approach in our Social Action Plans to increase community cohesion and trust by fostering interactions within these two parties – the Bengalis and the ethnic communities – who have shared their home for decades but still remained distant. We wanted to dismantle this inherent “otherization” and celebrate diversity through our activities.”

– Farhana Shahnaz

Paw Kha began in November 2021 with a baseline survey in the target communities of Champajhiri Para, Lama, Alikadam, and Bandarban in CHT. In December, the fellows brought together 20 youth from the target communities for training on Preventing Violent Extremism and Compassionate Integrity. They based their training on “Youth Waging Peace” by UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development – the same materials that ALLY used to initially train the fellows in the summer of 2021. Following the training, the fellows worked with the 20 youth (5 female) to conduct an Art Camp and Cultural Fair.

The Art Camp was a celebration of their cultural identity, and the 40 students who took part expressed their feelings in every stroke of their brush. They drew hills and jumm ghor (special houses made of bamboo and wood), some of them drew the national flag of Bangladesh and their school, some drew their local festivals.

The cultural event brought dance performances from 6 different tribal groups, serenading of tribal songs, and a dance to cover on a patriotic song and poem, which left the audience of around 150 very thrilled.

“We named our art and cultural festival ‘Together for Peace’ because only togetherness can bring something fruitful and peaceful. I am happy that we received so many positive responses and some future change-makers who will bring our effort into success.”

– Naijia Nuray Jarin

Bengalis were as much a part of the festival as the ethnic communities. The communities shared their grievances with ALLY fellow Sumaya during the training.