ABSTRACT
This study identifies three groups of indigenous peoples from the southern part of Asia. These are the Chakma of Bangladesh, the Sherpa of Nepal and the Shan of Myanmar. The identification and selection of these groups considered their recent advancements in terms of economic activity and livelihood generation. This study aimed to reach a generalised meaning of indigenous peoples through definitional analysis. However, the central focus was to outline shifting economic activities and explore the factors responsible. This study mainly relied on a literature review and personal observation, followed by closer engagements with the lifestyle of these peoples. The socio-economic backgrounds were segregated according to evidence of participation in both mainstream and conventional economic activities. The result analysis and presentation pursued social narratives. The study highlights that the Chakma of Bangladesh are more 'pragmatic' and backed by government policy frameworks. The Shan of Myanmar are more 'devout' as a result of having an abundance of agricultural resources and the wider influence of their religion. The Sherpa of Nepal are characterised more as a 'traders' due to their interaction with trade, tourism, and wage earning. The study thus concludes that several actors are functional in accelerating the economic advancements of the Chakma, the Shan, and the Sherpa groups of indigenous people.
