Traditions & Rituals

The primary Islamic holidays in Bangladesh include:
Eid- ul- Azha (the tenth day of the Muslim month Zilhaj ), which a goat or cow is sacrificed in honor of Allah; Shab-i-Barat ( the fourteenth or fifteenth day of Shaban ), when Allah recurs an individual ‘s future for the rest of the year, Ranadan ( the month Ramzan), a month-long period of fasting between dawn and dusk; Eid-ul-Fitr ( the first day of the month Shawal, following the end of Ramzan), characterized by alms giving to the poor; andShob-i- Meraz (the twenty-seventh day of Rajad), which commemorates the night when Mohammed ascended to heaven. Islamic holidays are publicly celebrated in afternoon prayers at mosque and outside open areas, where many men assemble and move though their prayers in unison.

Among the most important Hindu celebration Saraswati puja (February), dedicated to the deity Saraswati, who takes the form of a swan. She is the patron of learning, and propitiating her is important for students. Durga Puja (October) pays homage to the female warrior goddess Durga, who has ten arms, carries a sword, and rides a lion. After a nine-day festival, images of Durga and her associates are placed in a procession and set into a river. Kali puja (November) is also called the festival of Lights and honors Kali, a female deity who has the power to give and take away life. Candles are lit in and around homes.

Bangladesh’s deep rooted heritage amply reflected in her architecture, literature, dance, drama, music, and painting. Bangladeshi culture is influenced by three great religions- Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam in successive order, with Islam having the most pervading and lasting impact. Link a colorful tradition of the country is a happy blending of many variants, unique in diversity but in essence greatly symmetrical.

Other Traditional events:

Baul Mela: Bauls, travelling folk singers, have been walking these parts for centuries. Bauls move from village to village, soul-searching through songs and meditation. Armed with an Ektara and dressed in simple traditional robes Bauls wonders indifferent towards the material world. Yet, near the tomb of Guru Lalon Shah, in Kushtia they gather, once a year, from all over the country to partake in the birthday celebration of the Lalon Shah.

Photo Source: banglamusic.com

Nabanna: Nabanna Utsab is the festival for the new harvest, and is celebrated in Autumn to rejoice the new crop.  Farmers fill their granaries with the newly harvested crops and celebrate the festive spirit with folklore, dance, music, drums. Shri and Jari music fills the air. Nabanna is a festival of food and delicacies such as Payesh, Pitha (rice cake) are prepared.

Wangala Festival of the Garos: This festival is celebrated by the Garo community in Mymensingh District of Bangladesh. The festival is celebrated to honour the Saljong, the Sun-god of fertility.

Bull Fight: The farmers of Bangladesh celebrate the harvest with a number of interesting events, of which bullfighting is very popular. After the rice crop has been harvested, the field is turned into a fighting arena. Bull fighting makes for an interesting spectator sport, and the winning trophy is much coveted.

Citation:

Bangladesh Beckons, External Publicity Wing Minsitry of Foreign Affairs, Ed. SAida Muna Tasneem, December 2009.
Celebrating Bangladesh, External Publicity Wing Minsitry of Foreign Affairs, Ed. Saida Muna Tasneem, December 2009.
Fairs and Festivals, External Publicity Wing Minsitry of Foreign Affairs, Ed. Kamak Uddai Siddiqui, September 2006.