Festivities have begun across the Chittagong Hill Tracts as ethnic communities mark their major social festival with a three-day programme in Rangamati.
The celebrations were inaugurated on Thursday morning at Rangamati municipality ground by Rangamati Hill District Council Chairman Kajal Talukder, who released balloons to mark the opening of the event organised by Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum.
Earlier, performers from Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Tanchangya and Pangkhua communities presented traditional dances in their cultural attire, showcasing the rich heritage of the ethnic community.
A discussion was held under the slogan calling for unity to preserve the Jumma national identity and resist cultural erosion, marking festivals such as Bizu, Sangrai, Baisu, Bisu, Chankran and others.
A colourful rally later marched from the municipality premises to the district Shilpakala Academy, with ethnic men and women taking part in traditional dress and playing native musical instruments. The procession created a festive atmosphere across Rangamati town, joined by hundreds of youths from various cultural organisations. The Chakma community’s traditional “Genghuli” song performance was also featured.
The discussion session was chaired by Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum Hill Region President and retired deputy secretary Prokriti Ranjan Chakma. Addressing the event as the chief guest, former member of parliament and Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti Vice-President Ushatan Talukader said the issues in the hill districts are political and national in nature and can be resolved with sincere government efforts.
“The implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord is closely linked with political rights, identity, autonomy and self-determination,” he said, calling for a more inclusive and positive approach towards the region.
Among others, Rangamati Hill District Council Chairman Kajal Talukder spoke at the event, while former executive officer of Chittagong Hill Tracts Regional Council Krishna Chandra Chakma attended as a special guest.
Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum Hill Region General Secretary Intu Moni Talukder delivered the welcome speech.
The celebrations have spread across the hill districts, with people of all ages participating in rituals marking the farewell to the old Bangla year and the welcome of the new year, including floating flowers in rivers.
Traditional sports will be held on 10 April, followed by the Boli Khela at Rangamati Chinglah Moung Chowdhury (Mari) Stadium on 11 April.
The Bizu rituals will begin on 12 April with flower offerings in rivers, culminating in the main festival on 13 April.
