Indigenous Religion, Language Loss, and Cultural Identity among Ethnic Communities in Bangladesh

Abstract

Religion plays a central role in shaping cultural identity and social life among indigenous ethnic communities, with religious beliefs, rituals, and moral teachings often transmitted through indigenous languages. In Bangladesh, the decline of indigenous languages has raised concerns regarding the continuity of indigenous religious practices and spiritual knowledge. This study examines the relationship between indigenous language loss and religious life among ethnic communities in Bangladesh. Using a qualitative analytical approach based on existing empirical and sociocultural studies, the paper explores how diminishing language use affects religious rituals, oral prayers, spiritual narratives, and communal worship practices. The findings indicate that language loss contributes to the simplification of religious expressions, reduced intergenerational transmission of spiritual knowledge, and weakening of religious identity. The study highlights the importance of integrating language preservation into religious education and community-based spiritual initiatives to sustain indigenous religious heritage. These findings contribute to discussions on religion, culture, and indigenous identity in multilingual societies.