Description
In 2017, the unfolding Rohingya crisis led to the forced displacement of thousands, including a substantial number of orphans and minors, who have since been growing up in Bangladesh and are now transitioning into adolescence. Each day, between 120 to 130 newborns are delivered within the Rohingya camps, leading to an estimated 280,000 births over the last six years. According to data , the camp population has reached 975,350 individuals, with children making up 52 percent. Among these, 214,577 children, aged between 5 and 11 years, represent the emerging second generation of Rohingya in Bangladesh.
For most of these adolescents, memories of Myanmar are virtually non-existent. Their understanding of their homeland, Arakan (Rakhine), is limited to stories passed down by their parents, making it an elusive concept, more of an idea than a place they truly know. These adolescents grow up confined to the camp boundaries, their lives rooted in the reality of Bangladesh, yet disconnected from their cultural origins.
This generation faces an acute identity dilemma, torn between a heritage they have never directly experienced and a host country that does not fully recognize them. Struggling to reconcile their sense of self with their parents’ recollections and facing limited opportunities within the camp, they endure a complex mix of frustration, confusion, and emotional struggle regarding their identity as Burmese Rohingya.
This article presents primary data examining how Rohingya adolescents perceive their homeland, the nature of their experiences in Bangladesh, their aspirations, and the identity dilemmas they confront. It investigates the sources (or lack thereof) of their emotional connection to their ancestral land, history, and culture. Through ten case studies, the research delves into their dreams of Myanmar, their reflections on identity, and the tensions they feel between life in Bangladesh and their roots in Arakan.
