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B
Balouch
Pakistani language spoken in the eastern Pakistani province of
Istan.
Banana
Avoid (slang). Pejorative reference used by Asian Canadians when
referring to Asian Canadians who identify more with whites than
with other Asian Canadians. It means yellow on the outside and
white on the inside. Use only in direct quotes.
Bangladesh (one word)
Formerly the eastern section of Pakistan (known as East Pakistan),
Bangladesh became independent after a civil war in 1971. Capital:
Dhaka. Population (1996 census): 123 million. Official languages
are Bangla (Bengali) and English. Major religions: Islam (83%),
Hinduism (16), Buddhism, Christianity, others (1%). Ethnic
groups: Bengali (98%), Jumma tribal (1) Bihari (0.2%).
Literacy: 38%.
Bangalore
The fifth largest city in India and the fastest growing with a
population of more than 5 million. It is the capital of the South
Indian state of Karnataka. Known as the "Silicon Valley of
India," Bangalore is the hub of the electronics/computer
industry. The name Bangalore is the anglicized version of Bengalooru,
which is derived from the original name "Bendakaalooru"
(the town of the boiled lentils), given by its founder Kempe Gowda.
Banzai
A celebratory chant, like "HIP, HIP, HOORAY," used by
Japanese. To be distinguished from "BONSAI," a miniature
potted tree.
bhangra
Dance and music style originating in the Indian state of Punjab.
Now often refers to a blend of western pop and traditional Punjabi
music when performed in the West.
Bharat
The official Sanskrit name of India.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Political party in India often characterized as a "HINDU
FUNDAMENTALIST PARTY." "HINDU NATIONALIST" is more
accurate. Its credo equates Hinduism with Indian culture.
Bhutan
A mountainous South Asian kingdom located along the eastern ridges
of the Himalayas (official name, Drukyul, means "land of
the thunder dragon"). Capital: Thimpu. Population (1999 est):
2 million. Size: 18,150 square miles. Official language: Dzongkha,
Sharchopkha, Nepali. Major religions: Buddhism 75%, Indian-
and Nepalese-influenced Hinduism 25%. Ethnic groups: Bhutanese
of various types (65%), Nepalese (35%).
bidi or beedi (pronounced "beedee")
The Hindi name for a type of small, cheap, unfiltered cigarette
popular in South Asia -- and now making controversial inroads
among young North American smokers. Bidis are basically tobacco
flakes hand-rolled in tendu or other leaves and secured with a
string at one end. Critics of bidis say they contain more than
three times the nicotine and carbon monoxide of traditional cigarettes,
and smokers ingest more of the chemicals as the small-sized bidis
require vigorous puffing to stay lit.
bindi
The name for the decoration some women from India wear on their
forehead. It is a decoration, like makeup, and comes in different
shapes and colors to match a woman's wardrobe.
biracial
A person whose parents come from two different racial backgrounds.
bisexual
An individual sexually attracted to both women and men. Does not
presume non-monogamy.
Black Africa
Avoid (see Africa)
Black Muslim
A person belonging to the Nation of Islam in the U.S. prior to
1985. Dissolved to join the orthodox Islamic community. Members
of the current Nation of Islam, led by Louis Farrakhan, are referred
to as Muslims.
boat people
Refugees from Vietnam who fled in boats beginning in 1978. About
half of the boat people were ethnic Chinese, who dominated small
business and trade in Vietnam. See Vietnamese Background.
Bollywood
"Bombay's Hollywood," word coined by the Indian
media to identify the movie industry in Bombay, now Mumbai. India
makes the world's largest number of new movies each year.
Bombay
India officially changed the name of this, its largest city, to
Mumbai.
Bombay Stock Exchange
The oldest stock market in Asia. The benchmark indicator is the
Sensex.
brave
Avoid use of the word as a noun for First Nations men.
buckteeth, bucktooth
Avoid. The stereotypical caricatures of Asians drawn with this
feature are highly racist and offensive.
Burma
See Myanmar.
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