Nababarsha Special

Pahela Baishakh by any other name

JAMIL MAHMUD

Photo: Jashim Salam/driknews

Celebrations of Pahela Baishakh are rooted in the rural traditions of Bangladesh. On the first day of the Bangla New Year, people put on colourful clothes and visit friends and neighbours. This is one rural festival that has caught on and thrived in the cities, especially Dhaka. Some of the ethnic communities living in various parts of Bangladesh also celebrate the New Year but they each have a different name for it. The festivities get their respective unique approach. On this occasion the three hilly districts -- Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari -- wear a festive look. The first day of the year is considered auspicious by the people of the hills.

Three ethnic communities come together to celebrate Pahela Baishakh. 'Boishuk' of the Tripura, 'Sangrai' of the Marma and 'Biju' of the Chakma are often celebrated together as 'Boi-Sa-Bi'. These differ from traditional Pahela Baishakh celebrations. Festivities in the hills begin on the last day of the month of Chaitra and continue for three or more days. Religious rituals are often part of these festivals.

Rakhains also celebrate the occasion. Other communities, including the Manipuri and Mandi, also observe the day, but not on a grand scale.

Biju (Chakma)
The Chakmas are the largest ethnic community in Bangladesh. They celebrate Biju with a three-day programme. The first day of Biju is called 'Phool Biju'. The celebration starts early in the morning through offering phool (flowers) by children at the nearby river or lake. Children also decorate their homes with flowers on the day.

The highlight of the festival, called 'Mool Biju', begins the following day. On this day, people visit their friends, neighbours and relatives. Delectable traditional dishes, particularly 'pachon', and drinks are offered to guests. There is a saying that if an individual does not visit and eat in at least seven houses, his/her Biju is not complete.

The last day of Biju is called 'Gajya Pajjya Din' or 'day of relaxation'. Chakma people usually sit back and unwind on this day. However, going to the temple and praying for a prosperous coming year is also part of the tradition.

Sangrai (Marma)
The Marmas are the second largest ethnic community in Bangladesh. Like the Chakmas, they also celebrate the New Year with a three-day festival. To the Marmas, the festival is known as Sangrai.

On the occasion, Marmas cook rice, vegetables and 'nappi' (a paste made of dried fish). Sharing food with neighbours is a tradition of the Marmas. Refreshments include homemade beverages. The celebration also includes splashing each other with water.

On the first day of the year, Marmas traditionally wear new sets of clothes -- 'thami' and 'angi', although nowadays many of them also purchase Bengali clothes from the market. Marmas believe that their birth, death and all major events are controlled by a divine power. On every occasion, they try to appease the divinity through their rites and rituals and Sagrai is not an exception.

Photo: Tanvir Murad Topu/driknews

Boishuk (Tripura)
Boishuk is the most important social festival of the Tripuras. The first day of the festival is called 'Hari Boishuk'. Like Chakma children, young Tripuras also decorate their homes with flowers on the day. A group (of around 15) dancers go door to door and perform traditional dances as part of the customs. They are offered food and beverages at each home.

Tripuras are mainly Hindus, though their beliefs and religious practices are different from mainstream Hindus. They worship the god Shiva and the goddess Kali along with 14 other gods and goddesses. Prayers to the deities are also part of Boishuk celebration.

The traditional attire of the Tripura men includes 'dhuti' and 'khaban'. Women wear necklaces made of beads and shells on special occasions.

Shangrain (Rakhain)
Shangrain -- meaning 'water festival' -- is the biggest festival of the Rakhains. The Rakhains mainly live in the coastal areas of Cox's Bazar and Patuakhali.

Rakhains use water in their recreational activities and enthusiastically celebrate Shangrain on the eve of Pahela Baisakh. Religious rituals are also a significant part of Shangrain. Rakhains believe that water can wash away all the sins and impurities of the past and thus drenched in water they embark on an untainted New Year.

Traditional food items, including 'pitha', are made on the occasion. Rakhains wear new sets of traditional clothes such as 'lungi' and 'fatua' (for men) and 'nima' (women) on the occasion. During Shangrain, Rakhains follow the custom of honouring parents and elders, and offer prayers to Lord Buddha.

Apart from rituals, cultural programmes featuring dances and songs are held in the hilly districts.

Above all, these communities celebrate the first day of Baishakh, leaving behind sorrows from the previous year and welcoming the New Year with hopes for a brighter future.