United News of Bangladesh

The largest traditional festivals of Chakma and Tanchangya communites have begun in Bandarban with the ceremonial offering of flowers in a river to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one. The festivals formally started on Sunday morning as young men and women from the communities gathered at the Sangu River and floated flowers on the water. Participants from different villages came together for the ritual, symbolically washing away past sorrows and welcoming the new year. Children, men and women of both communities dressed in traditional attire offered flowers and prayers to the water deity, seeking blessings for peace, happiness and prosperity in the coming year while letting go of past hardships. Bandarban, one of the three hill districts, is home to 11 ethnic minority communities alongside Bengalis, making it culturally diverse compared to other districts of the country. The blend of ethnic traditions and cultural practices adds a unique dimension to such festivals in the hill region. A series of programmes have been arranged to celebrate the festivals across different communities. A traditional Ghila game Gold Cup tournament of the Tanchangya community will be held this afternoon at Roangchhari upazila. Other events include the Sangrai rally on April 13, Buddha statue bathing on April 14, and water festival, cultural programmes and traditional food preparations on April 15 and 16. Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan is expected to attend the main water festival event as the chief guest on April 15 at Bandarban Rajar Math.

The traditional outfit of Bangladesh’s largest ethnic minority group, the Chakma, is known as ‘Pinon Hadi’.   The upper part of the outfit is called Hadi, a piece of fabric worn diagonally across the body over the shoulder.