Bede people
বেদে মন-টং | |
|---|---|
Bede people spotted in Lalmohan Upazila, Bhola District | |
| Total population | |
| 500,000–1 million | |
| Languages | |
| Bengali Thar | |
| Religion | |
| Predominantly Muslim, Hinduism, Animism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Bengalis, Indigenous people of Bangladesh, Doms, Bunos, Romani People and other Indo-Aryans |
Bede (feminine: Bedeni) or Bedey, also known as Mon-tong, is an Indo-Aryan nomadic ethnic group of Bangladesh. The Bede are a nomadic people who traditionally live, travel, and earn their living on the river. Bedes are similar to European Roma. They travel in groups and never stay in one place for more than a couple of months. The Bedes are a marginalized group. Historically the Bedes were unable to vote as they did not own land, nor could they apply for bank loans or microcredit for the same reason. This situation persisted until 2008, when they were finally granted the right to vote.