Khyang people
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bangladesh4,826[2]
MyanmarUnknown| Total population | |
|---|---|
| ~4,826[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Bangladesh | 4,826[2] |
| Myanmar | Unknown |
| Languages | |
| Asho Khyang | |
| Religion | |
.svg){kind=small} Theravada Buddhism (61.71 %),  Christianity (38.29 %)[3] | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Chin peoples | |
The Kheyang, also known as Asho Khyang[4] or Hyow (খিয়াং) are a group of indigenous people inhabiting in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh and the Rakhine State of Myanmar. Kheyang is the exonym of the Hyow. The Khyang are one of the smallest ethnic groups in Bangladesh with a population of only 4,826 according to the 2022 census.
History
According to Kheyang chronicles, the Khyangs[6] with their king entered Chittagong Hill Tracts[citation needed] when their kingdom in Burma was overrun by the Burmese. But afterwards the king decided to go back to Burma. But his younger queen being pregnant could not accompany him. Hence she was left behind with some followers and kinsmen. The present Kheyang are the descendants of this queen and her retinue. However, the literature of the Burmese history tells that the Kheyang migrated with the Marma from the southern Myanmar in the late eighteenth century.[7][8] The Kheyang have two groups in Bangladesh: Laitu and Kongtu. The Kheyang were Buddhists but many converted to Christianity during the British period. Most Khyang today are under the Mong family or the "Royal Family" which is from Chandraghona, Rangamati Hill Districts in Bangladesh.
Geographical distribution
According to the 2022 Bangladeshi census, there are 4,826 Khyang in Bangladesh.[9] Among them, 2,502 in Bandarban District and 1,670 in Rangamati District.[10][11]
| Upazila | District | Population | Percentage who are Khyang[10][11] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rajasthali Upazila | Rangamati District | 1,420 | 5.10% |
| Bandarban Sadar Upazila | Bandarban District | 1,310 | 1.18% |
| Rowangchhari Upazila | Bandarban District | 652 | 2.35% |
| Thanchi Upazila | Bandarban District | 359 | 1.21% |
| Kaptai Upazila | Rangamati District | 177 | 0.32% |
| Ruma Upazila | Bandarban District | 158 | 0.49% |
| Others | <100 | ||
