Boishabi begins amid fanfare

Tripura girls presenting a Garaiya dance at Rangamati yesterday. PHOTO: STAR

All the ethnic tribes have different programmes highlighting their distinctive culture.

Our Rangamati Correspondent reports: The three major tribal communities-Chakma, Tripura and Marmas,joined by Bangalee settlers, yesterday began a three-day festival to say good bye to the Bangla Year 1411 and welcome the New Year.

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All other ethnic communities are also celebrating the occasion through various programmes.

All hotels and guesthouses in Rangamati are packed with hundreds of tourists from all over the country to enjoy the programmes.

The celebrations began on Monday with a Boishabi rally in the town, participated by government and tribal leaders, followed by a Boli khela (wrestling).

Chakma, the largest ethnic community, celebrates the occasion through various colourful traditional programmes.

Young girls cleaned up their houses and floated flowers on water in groups yesterday.

Pazon, a traditional dish made with seven vegetables, is prepared in every house to entertain guests. They believe Pazon will protect them from diseases for a year.

The Tripura community began the programme by bathing the elders and offering them clothes. They believe this brings them good.

The most favourite programme among Marmas is 'water session' when young girls spray water on male youths. Before frisking in the water game, they offer Jalpuja.

Our Bandarban Correspondent reports: The indigenous people in Bandarban yesterday began a five-day programme Sangrai- to welcome the Bangla New Year.

The programme began with a colourful rally in Bandarban town, participated by a large number of indigenous and Bangali people.

The 'Sangrai' is the main festive of Marma tribe in Bandarban. The most attractive event of Sangrai is Maitree Pani Barshan (water festival), which will be held on Friday and Saturday at Rajbari ground.

The Chakma, the Mro, the Kheyang and the Tripura tribes also celebrate the New Year festival like the Marma tribe in Bandarban.