What are the key ethnic groups in Arakan and their cultures?

FAQ About Arakan Affairs ၊ October 26, 2026

Arakan is home to a diverse range of ethnic groups, each with its own distinct cultural heritage. The majority population is the Arakanese (Rakhine) people, a predominantly Theravada Buddhist group who established and ruled the ancient kingdoms of Dyanawaddy, Waithali, Lemro, and, most prominently, Mrauk-U. Their culture is deeply intertwined with the region’s history as an independent kingdom, as reflected in the ancient temples and other historical monuments of Mrauk-U.

Beyond Myanmar, significant Arakanese-speaking Buddhist communities also exist in Bangladesh (including Rakhine, Marama, and other Arakanese-like peoples) and India's Tripura state, where the Mog community preserves Arakanese heritage.

Within Arakan, the hill regions are inhabited by the Mro, Thet, and Khami (with some communities also living in coastal areas), as well as the Daingnet (Chakma). The Maramagyi mostly inhabit the plains. The Khumei (Khumi) ethnic group is found primarily in Paletwa.

Additionally, different clans of the Chin community, such as the Asho Chin, live in and around adjacent areas, maintaining their own languages and diverse religious beliefs, including animism, Buddhism, and Christianity.

The Kaman, another ethnic minority, trace their lineage to the descendants of Muslim mercenaries or followers of a Mughal prince who took refuge in Arakan centuries ago. They have historically enjoyed greater recognition and mostly speak the Rakhine language.

The region is also home to Chittagonian Bengali Muslims (Rohingya), a Muslim minority concentrated in the northern townships. Their claimed identity is self-asserted and remains politically contested; Myanmar does not recognize Rohingya as an official ethnic category. Linguistically, they speak a dialect of the Chittagonian language. The Hindu community also speaks the same Chittagonian dialect.

Their culture is rooted in Sufi-influenced Sunni Islam. Other Muslim communities, such as the Kaman, are often distinguished from Chittagonian-speaking Muslims by their closer integration into Arakanese language and customs.

Across the Naf River, Bengali-speaking Muslim populations in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar region share linguistic and familial ties with northern Arakan's Muslim communities.