Reimagining the Munda Homeland: Tracing the Migration from Southeast Asia to the Sundarbans Coastline

Abstract

This paper reimagines the historical trajectory of the Munda people, tracking their migration from Southeast Asia to the Sundarbans coastline of the Bay of Bengal over a span of 3500 years, from 2000 BCE to the present day. It seeks to reconstruct the socio-cultural dynamics, environmental adaptations, and the evolving identity of the Munda community during their journey and settlement in the Sundarbans region. Sixteen interviews were conducted in Munshiganj, Shyamnagar, documenting the lived experiences and oral histories of diverse participants related to migration, language, and culture. An intensive literature review, including the Bonbibi Johuranama, as well as archaeological evidence, linguistic analyses, institutional records, and historical sources, was conducted. Linguistic analyses focus on the evolution of Munda languages, establishing connections with Southeast Asian linguistic roots and discerning linguistic shifts over time. The paper argues that the Munda migration is not a linear narrative but a complex interplay of environmental factors, cultural exchanges, and internal developments. Reimagining the Munda homeland through a comprehensive temporal lens, it aims to contribute to an explicit understanding of migration patterns in the Bay of Bengal region and shed light on the resilience and adaptability of the Munda people in their continuous journey across centuries.