Rohingya
They call themselves ruáingga
A stateless Muslim community from Rakhine State, Myanmar, now mostly displaced
The Rohingya are a Muslim Indo-Aryan group from Rakhine State in western Myanmar. Numbering around 1.7 million, most now live as refugees in Bangladesh and other countries after mass displacement and persecution in Myanmar. They are known for their long history in Arakan and for facing severe restrictions and violence.
Who are the Rohingya?
The Rohingya are an Indo-Aryan Muslim community with deep roots in the coastal region of Rakhine State, Myanmar. They share a common language, Rohingya, and a strong sense of identity shaped by their history in Arakan and their Islamic faith. The community is held together by shared traditions, family ties, and collective memory, especially in the face of repeated displacement and discrimination. Today, most Rohingya live outside their homeland, but they continue to maintain their language, culture, and religious practices wherever they settle.
Where do the Rohingya live?
The traditional homeland of the Rohingya is the northern part of Rakhine State, a coastal region in western Myanmar along the Bay of Bengal. This area, historically known as Arakan, has long been a crossroads between South and Southeast Asia. The land features coastal plains, river deltas, and hills, and was once home to independent kingdoms and diverse communities. Today, the majority of Rohingya have been forced to leave this region, but it remains central to their identity.
What language do the Rohingya speak?
Rohingya is an Indo-Aryan language closely related to Chittagonian, spoken in southeastern Bangladesh. It has its own script and is used in daily life and community affairs. Many Rohingya also speak Bengali or other regional languages, especially in exile. The language remains a key marker of identity, though its use is threatened by displacement and restrictions on education in Myanmar.
How do the Rohingya live?
Traditionally, the Rohingya have made their living through farming and fishing in the fertile lands and rivers of Rakhine State. They cultivated rice and vegetables, raised livestock, and fished in local waters. In exile, many now rely on humanitarian aid, informal work, or wage labor in refugee camps and urban areas. Their traditional skills and crafts are often disrupted by displacement and lack of access to land and resources.
How is Rohingya society organised?
Rohingya society is organized around extended families and village communities. Family ties are strong, and social life centers on religious and communal gatherings. Marriage is usually within the community and often arranged by families. Elders and religious leaders play important roles in decision-making and conflict resolution. Despite displacement, these social structures help maintain cohesion and support.
![Mosque? Akyab Island, Burma, 1945 [from a collection of prints mounted on airmail that were used to ship photos home to the U.S.; contact sheet 16]. Subject: mosque](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/Possibly_a_Burmese_Mosque_%28BOND_0531%29.jpg)
What do the Rohingya believe?
Most Rohingya are Sunni Muslims, and Islam shapes daily life, rituals, and community events. Religious leaders guide prayer, education, and social matters. Mosques are central to community life, though many have been destroyed or are inaccessible in Myanmar. Some Rohingya minorities follow Hinduism or Christianity. Traditional dress and customs reflect both local and Islamic influences, and oral traditions preserve their history and values.
The history of the Rohingya
The Rohingya trace their roots in Arakan (now Rakhine State) back over a thousand years, with influences from Arab, Mughal, and Portuguese traders and settlers. The region was once an independent kingdom and a center of trade. Under British colonial rule, migration and shifting identities shaped the community. Since the mid-20th century, the Rohingya have faced increasing discrimination, denial of citizenship, and violence in Myanmar. Major crackdowns in 1978, 1991–92, and especially 2016–17 led to mass displacement, with most Rohingya now living as refugees in Bangladesh and other countries. International bodies have described their treatment as ethnic cleansing and possible genocide.
Rohingya life today
Today, most Rohingya live in refugee camps in Bangladesh, with smaller communities in Myanmar, Malaysia, Pakistan, and elsewhere. In Myanmar, those who remain face severe restrictions and are often confined to camps. The community lacks citizenship and basic rights in Myanmar, and faces uncertain futures in exile. Despite these challenges, Rohingya continue to seek recognition, safety, and the right to return to their homeland.
Questions people ask about the Rohingya
Where do the Rohingya live?
The Rohingya live in Bangladesh, Myanmar, Pakistan, Malaysia, India and Saudi Arabia, in the Rakhine State, western Myanmar (historical Arakan coast).
How many Rohingya people are there?
Our sources give the Rohingya population as about 1.7 million (Wikidata, 2026); over 1.5 million in Bangladesh (March 2025); about 300,000 in Myanmar (May 2025). Counts of peoples vary with who is counted and when.
What language do the Rohingya speak?
The Rohingya speak Rohingya, which belongs to the Indo-Aryan family of languages.
How do the Rohingya make a living?
The Rohingya are known for settled farming, fishing and the sea and towns and wage work. Like most peoples, they combine several ways of making a living, and these have changed over time.
Sources and further reading
- Rohingya people on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
This page was written with AI assistance from the sources above and checked automatically before publishing. It may contain mistakes, and it is no substitute for hearing from the Rohingya themselves. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-02.
