The Chakmas; also known as the Changhma; are a community that inhabits the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh and North-East India. The Chakmas are the largest ethnic group in the Chittagong Hill Tracts; making up more than half the tribal population. Chakmas are divided into 46 clans or Gozas. A tribal group called Tongchangya are also considered to be a branch of the Chakma people. Both tribes speak the same language; have the same customs and culture; and profess the same religion; Theravada Buddhism.

Chakmas are Tibeto-Burman; and are thus closely related to tribes in the foothills of the Himalayas. The Chakmas are believed to be originally from Arakan who later on moved to Bangladesh; settling in the Cox's Bazar District; the Korpos Mohol area; and in the Indian states of Mizoram; Arunachal Pradesh; Tripura.