Play store
The International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is being observed today, August 9, to raise awareness of the rights, cultures, languages and contributions of Indigenous communities worldwide.
The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1994 and has been observed annually since 1995.
The date commemorates the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations, held in Geneva on August 9, 1982.
Indigenous Peoples number an estimated 370–500 million worldwide and represent thousands of distinct cultures and languages.
In Bangladesh, the day is marked by Indigenous communities and rights groups with various programmes highlighting cultural identity, land rights, dignity and recognition.
The observance also draws attention to continuing challenges faced by Indigenous communities, including marginalisation, poverty and human-rights concerns.