Hill districts wear a festive look on first day of Biju
Indigenous girls float flowers on the water of Kaptai Lake in Rangamati hill district on the first day of traditional Biju festival yesterday.Photo: STAR
The three-day 'Biju Utsab', the biggest social festival of indigenous people of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), began yesterday with a variety of programmes. The first day is called 'Ful biju', the second day is 'Mul biju', the main function, and the third day is 'Gojya Pojya Din'. Though the festival is widely called 'Biju', the ethnic people have distinct names for the occasion. The Chakmas call it 'Biju', the Marmas 'Sagnrain', the Tangchanyas 'Bishu'and the Tripuras call it 'Boisuk'. The ethnic communities of three hill districts--Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari--celebrate the grand festival to leave behind sorrows of the outgoing year and welcome the new year with hope for a brighter future. The indigenous people yesterday floated flowers on the water of Kaptai Lake at Garjantali, seeking divine blessings for peace and prosperity. Besides, the ethnic people, who live in different hill areas, floated flowers on rivers or fountain water. Today (Tuesday) is 'mul biju (main function), the indigenous people prepare 'pachan' a kind of mixed vegetable curry, this day to feed the guests. They also make pithas (cakes) and sweetmeats and take locally made liquor to mark the day. The third day is "Gojjya Pojjya Din" or the first day of Bangla new year. The indigenous people host each other at their respective houses on the day. Marmas celebrate 'water festival' on the first day of Bangla new year. State Minister for CHT Affairs Dipankar Talukder is expected to inaugurate a 'water festival' at Betbunia in Rangamati on the day. Meanwhile, United Democratic Front (UPDF), anti-peace accord organisation, are boycotting 'Biju Utsab” in Rangamati and 'Boishabi Utsab' in Khagrachhari districts in protest against recent violence in the two districts. The UPDF leaders have urged the indigenous people to boycott all programmes of ' Biju' and 'Boishabi' festivals and stay united to protect their rights.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments