'We Were Told We Did Not Belong': Biharis in Bangladesh

Words by Shaima Rahman

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This map is a digitally rendered topographic representations of Bangladesh (printed in 2D). In order to create these maps, Digital Elevation Data (DEM) is obtained from NASA's Shuttle Radar Topography Mission and is processed and digitally rendered to create a highly detailed elevation profile of Bangladesh and printed on a flat surface. Different hypsometric colours, based on the flag and national colours of Bangladesh, are used to highlight the difference in elevation, creating this beautiful artwork. (Available as print)

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Why Don’t My Friends Know My History?

Settler Genocide in Bangladesh’s Tribal Lands

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'We Were Told We Did Not Belong': Biharis in Bangladesh

Biharis in a refugee camp in Dacca - 1971.

I’ve always thought of people like onions - made of layers - all of which could be peeled, layer by layer, revealing an innermost core that connects it to its root. We have a core, connecting us to our roots and we form the layers over the years - with experiences, joys, achievements, loss, pain and everything life puts us through. And I knew and believed that the raw core of my existence, down to my roots: I am Bangladeshi. I was 8 years old when I was told to my face that I was not a khaati (pure) Bangali.