'Boisabi' festival begins in the hills

Boisabi, one of the main festivals of ethnic groups in the hill tracts of Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachari, began on Wednesday (12 April).

The first day of the festival is known as "Phul Biju" and is celebrated by Chakmas and Tanchangyas.

This Boisabi festival is known as Baisu in Tripura language, Sangraing in Marma language and Biju in Chakma-Tanchangya language.

With this festival, the people of this region bid farewell to the old year and welcomed the new year. In the hills, 11 tribal communities organise various programmes to celebrate their own culture and traditions.

The celebration began through young women of Chakma-Tanchangya immersing flowers in Chengi River and Shankha River in the town's Khabangpuria area by the local Tripura community.

They will celebrate the festival of "Mul Biju" on the second day, Thursday.

Deputy Commissioner Md Sahiduzzaman, Superintendent of Police Md Naimul Haque and Municipal Mayor Nirmalandu Chowdhury came to the river bank in the morning to enjoy the event.

Tanchangyas played the traditional Ghila game in the neighborhoods and Pachon (mixed vegetable dish) was cooked by Chakmas. Cultural programmes have been organised in different areas.

Meanwhile, Marmas will have a four-day new year celebration called Shangraing starting from Thursday. And Tripura community will celebrate Baishu festival from Thursday.

Shaitingwai Marma, general secretary of the Sangrai celebration committee, said that they have undertaken a four-day programme to celebrate the New Year festival. Programmes include Mongol Shobhajatra on 13 April, elderly puja and pitha making festival. Buddha Puja will be held on the banks of Sangu river on Friday.

The last two days include water games, climbing oiled bamboo and other cultural events.

The Water Festival of the Marmas is the most popular and talked about New Year festival. On this day, besides playing with water, they dance and sing and shower each other with love and wishes.

The Mro community celebrate the new year with the celebrations as "Changkran". They have been celebrating this festival with grand festivities at the Chimbuk hill for the last few years.

Khiyang and Chak communities start the festivities from 13 April. They also decorate their houses with flowers and exchange greetings with everyone.