Fulbiju for Pahela Baishakh: Ctg hill tracts float flowers away bidding farewell to old year, welcoming the new
The air was filled with anticipation today (12 April) as the Chittagong Hill Tracts organised Fulbiju, the jewel of the Biju festival, a celebration that marks the dawn of a new year, brimming with renewal, hope, and prosperity.
On this occasion, hundreds of people from the Chakma and Tanchangya communities performed the ritual of floating flowers in the Sangu River in Bandarban this morning.
Through this, they bid farewell to the passing year and welcomed the new year, said Happy, a local resident of the area.
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Suchitra Tanchangya, former female vice chairman of Bandarban Sadar Upazila, who came to float flowers, said, "It is our tradition to worship with flowers in the river. The Tanchangya community celebrates Vishu festival on 12 April every year. This morning, I floated flowers in the river and said a prayer for myself, my family and everyone."
There are 11 communities living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Except for Bom, Pankhwaa and Lusai, the people of other communities join in on these celebrations.
The Chittagong Hill Tracts come alive during the Biju, Boisu, Bishu, Bihu, Sangrai, and Bangla New Year celebrations, with the lush hills and valleys painted in vibrant hues of festivities.
Meanwhile, a four-day programme has been announced from 12-16 April in Bandarban to celebrate the Marma's new year celebration Sangrai, said Mangmansingh Marma, president of Bandarban's celebration council and ward-5 councillor.
Three-day Boisabi festival begins in Khagrachhari
The three-day long traditional 'Boisabi Festival' of the people of different ethnic communities in Khagrachari began on Friday, reports the UNB.
The first day of the festival, known as 'Phul Biju', is celebrated by Chakma, Tripura, Marma communities by decorating their houses with flowers and also immersing them in rivers seeking blessings from the 'Mother Ganga'.
The celebration began by immersing flowers in Chengi river in the town's Khabangpuria area by the local Tripura community.
Baisabi is considered to be the major cultural festival of 14 ethnic minority communities who speak in 11 languages.
Meanwhile, the Tripura community will also celebrate their 'Boisu' festival on Saturday on the day of Chaitra-Sankranti and the Marma community will celebrate traditional 'Sangrai' or 'pani khela' on 14 April.
Like every year, the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Ministry arranged the Boisabi Festival-2024 in the capital on Friday.
A colourful procession with the participation of hundreds of people from several communities of the CHT but live in the capital was brought out from Sheikh Hasina Chattogram Hill Tracts Heritage Preservation and Research Centre and it ended at Ramna Park Lake after parading several points.
As the organiser of the festival, senior officials and employees of the CHT ministry attended the Baisabi Festival rally.
Secretary to the minister Md Mashiur Rahman inaugurated the rally as the chief guest.
