| Total population | |
|---|---|
| ~4,826[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Bangladesh | 4,826[2] |
 Myanmar | Unknown |
| Religion | |
.svg) Theravada Buddhism (61.71 %), Christianity (38.29 %)[3] | |
Kheyang is the exonym of theHyow. ThereKheyang or theHyow (খিয়াং), are a group of indigenous people inhabiting in theChittagong Hill Tracts ofBangladesh and theRakhine State ofMyanmar. The Khyang are one of the smallest ethnic groups inBangladesh with a population of only 4,826 according to the 2022 census.
The word "Kheyang" is originated from the term "khlɔng",[4] which meanspersonin the language. The endonym "Hyow" meansChin.
According to Kheyang chronicles, the Khyangs[5] with their king enteredChittagong Hill Tracts[citation needed] when their kingdom inBurma was overrun by the Burmese. But afterwards the king decided to go back to Burma. But his younger queen being pregnant could not accompany him. Hence she was left behind with some followers and kinsmen. The present Kheyang are the descendants of this queen and her retinue. However, the literature of the Burmese history tells that the Kheyang migrated with the Marma from the southern Myanmar in the late eighteenth century.[6][7] The Kheyang have two groups in Bangladesh: Laitu and Kongtu. The Kheyang were Buddhists but many converted to Christianity during the British period. Most Khyang today are under the Mong family or the "Royal Family" which is from Chandraghona, Rangamati Hill Districts in Bangladesh.
According to the 2022 Bangladeshi census, there are 4,826 Khyang in Bangladesh.[8] Among them, 2,502 inBandarban District and 1,670 inRangamati District.[9][10]
| Upazila | District | Population | Percentage who are Khyang[9][10] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rajasthali Upazila | Rangamati District | 1,420 | 5.10% |
| Bandarban Sadar Upazila | Bandarban District | 1,310 | 1.18% |
| Rowangchhari Upazila | Bandarban District | 652 | 2.35% |
| Thanchi Upazila | Bandarban District | 359 | 1.21% |
| Kaptai Upazila | Rangamati District | 177 | 0.32% |
| Ruma Upazila | Bandarban District | 158 | 0.49% |
| Others | <100 |
Every Khyang society has a leader who is called 'Karbari' or 'Headman'. Kheyang society has a patriarchal structure. The father of a family is the master of the house. If a village lacks a headman, the villagers unitedly appoint a leader. The leader solves all the disputes that may develop among the villagers and, thus, helps them live in peace. If a person is accused of any criminal wrongdoing, the headman takes steps in line with customary social laws.[11]
The accused is generally punished or forgiven, and the judgement is passed in front of all after measuring the enormity of the misdeed. Both the male and female of the Kheyang community are very industrious. Men dominate and especially follow the laws of society.[11]
| Indo-Aryans | |
|---|---|
| Austro-Asiatic | |
| Dravidian | |
| Tibeto-Burman | |
| Others | |
| Immigrants and expatriates | |
