Carnivals all year round

 

Baul mela
Bauls (roaming folk singers) have been traveling in this part of the world for thousands of years. A lifestyle matched with that of the nature, Bauls move from village to village, soul searching through meditation and singing. Walking down the rural road with an ektara (one string musical instrument) in his hands in a simple traditional robe, a Baul is simply not worried about his survival. For he knows that someone somewhere will give him shelter or food. But these days Bauls are not often seen roaming the villages, singing songs, they tend to live in a community to survive. For example, a large group of Bauls live by the tomb of their guru, Lalon Shai in Kushtia where Bauls from all over the country gather once a year to celebrate Lalon's birthday.

 

 

Rash Purnima
Mostly celebrated by the Bishnupriya group of Manipuri community of Bangladesh, Rash Purnima is held on the day of full moon in the Bangla month of Kartik (late Autumn). In the afternoon the festival begins with a dance depicting Lord Krishna's notorious young life. Children dress up as Krishna and perform in front of hundreds of devotees. In the evening begins Rash Nritya, a Manipuri style dance performed by young girls wearing traditional Manipuri garbs.

 

 

Kite-flying festival
Kite-flying festival, one of the traditional festivities in Old Dhaka dating back to the Mughal era, remains a huge crowd-puller. A huge celebration participated by residents of the old part of the capital gathers to have one of their most enjoyable days of the year in Winter.

 

 

 

Cow fight
The farmers of Bangladesh celebrate the year's harvest amid a flurry of festivals. Bull fighting is one such unique events that still follows the tradition of celebrations. Sadly, with just one district in Bangladesh hosting this event, it is fast becoming extinct. Enthusiastic habitants of Netrokona district organise this event after farmers have harvested their main 'aman' rice crop. The cleared rice field is transformed into a fighting arena, and begins the long awaited bull fight. Chants, prayers, purifying smoke, amulets and pungent water are some different methods used to bring luck to the fighter bull.

 

 

 

Jabbarer Boli Khela
Jobberer Boli Khela (Wrestling at Jabbar's), a century-old traditional wrestling competition is one of the oldest traditions of the port city, Chittagong. Held in the first month of the Bangla year, Boishakh, the sporting event takes place at Laldighi Maidan of the city. A local merchant Abdul Jabber Sawdagor introduced this competition back in 1909 (Bengali year 1316) with an aim to motivate and organise the Bangalee youths in the movements against the British Raj. The descendants of Abdul Jabber with the support of local people and others continued to organise which very few Chittagonians fail to miss.

 

 

 

Cock fight
The fighting breed of cocks has a pretty impressive tradition and history. The 'Bangladesh Shoukhin Aseel Morog Unyayan Shangstha' was established way back in 1963 in Dhaka with 30 members and it has developed into a highly organised group. A total of 35-40 Aseels (Cocks), depending on their fitness compete in a six-month long tournament in a knockout format. After a fight is over the winner gets at least three week's rest before his next bout. The time an Aslee needs to recover from the wounds of a fight is one of the main reasons for the tournament to span over six months.