Festivals in Bangladesh PDF

Lecture Notes 1 FESTIVALS IN BANGLADESH বুধবার | জানুয়ারর ৩১, ২০২৪ | ১৮ মাঘ ১৪৩০ A festival is a gathering or occasion characterized by a specified activity (American Heritage Dictionary). It has some characteristics unique to that communit...

Lecture Notes 1 FESTIVALS IN BANGLADESH বুধবার | জানুয়ারর ৩১, ২০২৪ | ১৮ মাঘ ১৪৩০ A festival is a gathering or occasion characterized by a specified activity (American Heritage Dictionary). It has some characteristics unique to that community, religion, or culture. It is often marked as a national holiday. Special food, clothing, or activities are associated with festivals. In recent times, international festivals have also been added to the list. Festivals can be grouped broadly into religious, nonreligious, indigenous, and nonindigenous. SIGNIFICANCE OF FESTIVALS 1. A festival is a way for families and friends to get together. Even if they live in different parts of the world, people usually celebrate festivals together and see it as an excuse to see each other. 2. Festivals are also celebrated so that people can honor traditions and their continuity. It helps preserve the heritage and culture of a region. 3. Festivals are also celebrated to pray to their God or deity to bless the people with peace and prosperity. 4. People also celebrate festivals as an excuse for taking a break from routine life. 5. Festivals are also a symbol of who we are and what we take pride in as a community and as a nation. 6. Festivals spread joy and optimism in our lives. 7. Some festivals have major commercial significance. (new point) 8. Festivals also send a message to everyone that despite the complications and misunderstandings in life, we are all one big happy family. 9. People also make new resolutions at festivals and promise to achieve new goals every year at a festival. Adapted from https://edgearticles.com/2018/08/22/why-do-we-celebrate-festivals- essay/ Festivals are common in all societies and cultures. With the change of social and economic structures, the nature of festivals also changes. But some festivals are so deeply rooted in the social organism that they continue to entertain from generation to generation. The festivals, which got started in primitive society centering on the prayer for food, shelter and security, have now been filled with various colors and varieties. It is often directly related to the place, season and time. Festivals, Dr. Shibli Ahmed Khan 1 EID-ul-FITR The joyous three-day celebration, Eid ul-Fitr falls on the first day of Shawwal, the month which follows Ramadan in the Islamic calendar. However, the celebrations begin on the new moon's sighting, which marks the end of the month of fasting and prayer. EID-ul-ADHA Eid ul-Adha also known as the Feast of sacrifice falls on the 10th day of the Islamic calendar’s last month, Dhu al-Hijjah (. All over the world, Muslims who can afford a cow, goat, or sheep sacrifice it as a reminder of Ibrahim’s obedience to Allah. People arrange special meals, distribute “sacrificed meat” to the needy, and have special prayer session in the morning. At least 3-day national holiday is declared for this occasion. Dhū al-Ḥijjah ‫ذُو ْٱلحِ جَّة‬ DURGA PUJA It is celebrated during the middle of Ashwin month. Durga Puja, the biggest festival of the Sanatan community in the country. It continues for ten days, with the last three days being the most joyful. It is mostly celebrated in the Bengal region. Durga Puja celebrates the victory of the goddess Durga over the demon king Mahishasura. The festivities culminate with goddess Durga immersed in the river. KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI It is the annual Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Sri Krishna. Sri Krishna is the eight avatars of Vishnu. It is observed according to the Hindu Luni-Solar Calendar. The Eighth Day Krishna Pakkha (Dark fortnight) in Bhadra (August–September) is the birthday of Sri Krishna. The number eight has another significance in the Krishna legend in that he is the eighth child of his mother, Devaki. BUDDHA PURNIMA Buddha Purnima is the largest festival of the Buddha Community. The day is a public holiday in Bangladesh. This day is celebrated among the Buddhist community to commemorate the birth of the Gautama Buddha. This day also symbolizes brotherhood. The exact date of Buddha's birthday is based on the Asian lunisolar calendars. The date for the celebration of Buddha's birthday varies from year to year in the Western Gregorian calendar but usually falls in April or May. In leap years it may be celebrated in June. Festivals, Dr. Shibli Ahmed Khan 2 ASHURA It is a holiday that occurs on the 10th day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic lunar calendar. For Muslims, Ashura marks the day in which the Islamic prophet Musa was saved by Allah when he parted the sea while leading the children of Israel to the land of Israel. Furthermore, for Muslims, it marks the day on which the Battle of Karbala took place, resulting in the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and a member of the Household of Muhammad (Ahl al-Bayt). CHRISTMAS It is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among Christians. The day is known as "boro din" in Bangla. Functions include illumination of churches, decorating Christmas trees, and special activities among Christian communities. It is a national holiday in Bangladesh. POHELA BOISHAKH The first day of Bangla year is celebrated as Pahela Boishakh. The day is celebrated with festivity across the country. It is celebrated in villages and towns. People in the village celebrate this day according to their age-old customs. Special meals are arranged at home. Baisakhi meals are held in different places. In towns, various socio-cultural organizations arrange interesting programs on this day. At Ramna Batamul, it is celebrated gorgeously. Many urban people wake up early in the morning and go to the function to enjoy recitations, drama, lectures, etc. Some people in cities eat panta hilisa in the morning. They go to the Boishakhi Mela and buy sweets, toys, dolls, and handmade things. Haal Khata is a festival celebrated by Bengali shopkeepers and traders on Pahela Baishakh (the first day of the Bengali Calendar) by opening a new ledger. Customers are invited to settle old debts and start fresh. The event is marked special Puja by the Hindu traders & shop keepers. Seeking to improve the relationship between traders and customers, traders give sweets, snacks, or gifts to their customers. The festival is also celebrated in West Bengal, and Tripura, India. Mughal emperor Akbar established a new calendar based on the old Bengali calendar in 1584 to ease taxation. The Mughals "Halkhata Mahurat" collected back taxes and from this, the tradition of Haal Khata originated. POHELA FALGUN In Bangladesh, the spring season stays for two months [Falgun and Chaitra]. Colorful festivals are held to welcome Bashanto. Traditional dress (sari, panjabi, etc) are worn Pahela Falgun is celebrated on February 13. It is called the ‘Rituraj Bashonto’. SHAKRAIN Shakrain Festival is an annual celebration in Dhaka observed with the flying of kites. It occurs at the end of Poush, the ninth month of the Bengali calendar. This day is known as Poush Sankranti. Shakrain Festival is one of the oldest annual festivals of Bangladesh. Festivals, Dr. Shibli Ahmed Khan 3 NABANNA Nabanna [new food] is a harvest festival celebrating the harvesting of the new crop- Aman paddy. Most agricultural societies tend to celebrate the harvesting of their main crop. It is observed on the 1st day of Agrahayan. INDEPENDENCE DAY The biggest state festival is Independence Day (March 26), which is observed throughout the country sponsored by different organizations (governmental and schools). All major cities wear a festive look. It is a public holiday. Leaders of the government, political and social organizations, freedom fighters, and ordinary citizens alike place floral wreaths at the National Martyrs' Memorial at Savar. WORLD MOTHER LANGUAGE DAY 21 February of every year is observed throughout the country in remembrance of the martyrs of the Language Movement of 1952. People wear black badges and walk to the Shaheed Minar barefooted to show respect to the martyrs. EKUSHEY BOI MELA (Is it a festival? Regional/Local/National?) Ekushey Book Fair is now a popular festival in the life of people. It is held only once a year. Ekushey Book Fair or Amor Ekushey Grontho Mela (“Book Fair of the Immortal 21st"), commonly known as Ekushey Boi Mela (“Book Fair of the 21st"), is the national book fair of Bangladesh. It takes place over the entire month of February every year, DHAKA INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR (Is it a festival? Regional/Local/National?) Dhaka International Trade Fair is an international trade fair in Bangladesh. It is organized by the Export Promotion Bureau together with the Ministry of Commerce of the Government of Bangladesh. DITF is held from the first week of January to the first week of February every year. The 26th Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF) opened to visitors on its new premises at Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre in Purbachal on the 1st of January 2022, showcasing goods from around the world. LALON MELA (Fair) The Lalon Mela, a vibrant celebration of the great Baul mystic Fakir Lalon Shah, takes place twice a year in Kushtia, Bangladesh. This lively festival is held at Lalon’s Akhra near the town of Chheuria. Dol Purnima Lalon Mela: This festival occurs during the full moon of Dol Purnima (also known as Holi) and typically spans three days. In 2022, it will be held from March 15th to 17th. During this time, the akhra is adorned with tasteful decorations, and Bauls from various regions gather to celebrate Lalon’s legacy. The melodic strains of Lalon’s songs fill the air, creating an enchanting atmosphere. Lalon’s Death Anniversary Mela: On the 16th of October (Bengali 1st Kartik), another Lalon Mela takes place to commemorate Lalon’s death anniversary (Tirodhan Dibosh). This event Festivals, Dr. Shibli Ahmed Khan 4 extends for three days as well. The festivities are grand, drawing people from far and wide. The Lalon Akhra is beautifully decorated, and the riverside area near the Kali River witnesses a massive gathering. The main stage hosts captivating performances, and the entire atmosphere resonates with Lalon’s spirit. হায়রে এমন পাখি কে বা কপারে কিরে চায় সাগে চুরে, োরে খে খিরয় ক াগাই? ….. োে কপাহারে পাখি বরে কি কে িাই, কি কে িাই.. BANGLA CALENDAR Baishakh – ববশাখ Joiustho – বজৈষ্ঠ Asher – আষাঢ় Shrabon – শ্রাবণ Bhadra – ভাদ্র Ashwin – আরিন Kartik – কারতিক Aggrahayon – অগ্রহায়ণ Powosh – প ৌষ Magh – মাঘ Falgun – ফাল্গুন (+1 every four years like in the Georgian calendar) Chaityra – বৈত্র Sanatan (Hindu) Calendar (see details https://www.hindutsav.com/how-hindu-calendar-works/) “... there are various Calendar Systems in the Hindu calendar; however, officially, there are two Calendar Systems that are now recognized. These are known as Vikram Samvat and Shaka Samvat. In the Vikram Samvat Hindu Calendar System, the New Year starts on the Deepavali date (Oct- Nov), which also marks the crowning of King Vikramaditya of Ujjain in 56 BC. The other Hindu Calendar System marks the crowning of the Shalivahan King in 78 AD. According to this Hindu Calendar System, the New Year is started on the date of Gudi Padwa (in the month of March – April).” Festivals, Dr. Shibli Ahmed Khan 5  HIJRI CALENDAR Exercise: 1. What are the key religious festivals in Bangladesh? (Date, which religion, purpose, specific or unique rituals) 2. What are some nonreligious key festivals? Is there a festival unique to Dhaka? 3. What “foreign” festivals are becoming common in Dhaka? 4. List the months of the Bangla calendar (name, number of days). Festivals, Dr. Shibli Ahmed Khan 6