Anwar Ali, Rajshahi
Thousands of Santal aborigines of Rajshahi and surrounding areas became enthusiastic in festivals drawing attention to their old and rich culture.
Three-day Baha (flower) festival began at remote Sundorpur village of Kakonhat in Godagari upazila on Tuesday. A day before two-day Karam festival ended in Godagari upazila.
They took ‘My Culture My Identity’ as main slogan to give new dimensions to the festivals and demanded ensuring fundamental rights of living, education and land.
Eminent literature Prof Hasan Azizul Haque formally inaugurated Baha festival of welcoming Santal New Year in evening as chief guest.
In his speech, he called upon aborigines to struggle for safeguarding their own culture and heritage. “There are close relations between Bangali and Adibashi cultures. But economic freedom is essential for enjoying same status”
Prof Mesbah Kamal of Dhaka University and Prof Moloy Kumar Bhoumik of Rajshahi University attended as special guests.
Santal Pargana leader Bishonath Tudu of Godagari upazilla and AUS executive director Bhagbot Tudu delivered welcome messages to thousands of Santal Adivasis.
A paper on the cultural significance of the Baha festival was presented by Santal professor Albert Soren.
Danish Ambassador Einar Hebogaard Jensen extended his greetings to the festival. His message, pledging expansion of collaboration with government to supplement development of aborigines, was read in the inaugural session.
Adivasi Unnayan Sangstha (AUS) with assistance from OXFAM-GB and Manusher Jonne organised the event.
With prayers at god Zaher’s platform, the programmes began amid dancing and singing with traditional drums and harmonium in the morning.
Led by a ‘naeke’ (religious cleric), the Santals men and girls roamed around houses. Villagers expressed greetings and honour washing legs of ‘naeke’. They played with coloured water, danced and sang.
With assistance of Oxfam, GB and Manusher Jonnye, the festival programme was organised to uphold culture, histories of Santals.
Cultural function followed the inaugural session. A drama portraying problems of Santal lives was staged in the night. A documentary film was also shown.
On the second day, discussions held on Aborigine’s right of education and solutions to its problems. A drama and documentary film followed the discussion.
A fair was organised to flourish the festival at Sundorpur. From rural weavers, cake makers to different NGOs from city booked stalls for projecting Aborigine life and history of struggle.
Chinese born Canadian citizen Mikey Leung, his Australian wife Belinda Meggitt and two women from England came to Rajshahi for taking part in the festival.
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Thousands of Santal aborigines of Rajshahi and surrounding areas became enthusiastic in festivals drawing attention to their old and rich culture.
Three-day Baha (flower) festival began at remote Sundorpur village of Kakonhat in Godagari upazila on Tuesday. A day before two-day Karam festival ended in Godagari upazila.
They took ‘My Culture My Identity’ as main slogan to give new dimensions to the festivals and demanded ensuring fundamental rights of living, education and land.
Eminent literature Prof Hasan Azizul Haque formally inaugurated Baha festival of welcoming Santal New Year in evening as chief guest.
In his speech, he called upon aborigines to struggle for safeguarding their own culture and heritage. “There are close relations between Bangali and Adibashi cultures. But economic freedom is essential for enjoying same status”
Prof Mesbah Kamal of Dhaka University and Prof Moloy Kumar Bhoumik of Rajshahi University attended as special guests.
Santal Pargana leader Bishonath Tudu of Godagari upazilla and AUS executive director Bhagbot Tudu delivered welcome messages to thousands of Santal Adivasis.
A paper on the cultural significance of the Baha festival was presented by Santal professor Albert Soren.
Danish Ambassador Einar Hebogaard Jensen extended his greetings to the festival. His message, pledging expansion of collaboration with government to supplement development of aborigines, was read in the inaugural session.
Adivasi Unnayan Sangstha (AUS) with assistance from OXFAM-GB and Manusher Jonne organised the event.
With prayers at god Zaher’s platform, the programmes began amid dancing and singing with traditional drums and harmonium in the morning.
Led by a ‘naeke’ (religious cleric), the Santals men and girls roamed around houses. Villagers expressed greetings and honour washing legs of ‘naeke’. They played with coloured water, danced and sang.
With assistance of Oxfam, GB and Manusher Jonnye, the festival programme was organised to uphold culture, histories of Santals.
Cultural function followed the inaugural session. A drama portraying problems of Santal lives was staged in the night. A documentary film was also shown.
On the second day, discussions held on Aborigine’s right of education and solutions to its problems. A drama and documentary film followed the discussion.
A fair was organised to flourish the festival at Sundorpur. From rural weavers, cake makers to different NGOs from city booked stalls for projecting Aborigine life and history of struggle.
Chinese born Canadian citizen Mikey Leung, his Australian wife Belinda Meggitt and two women from England came to Rajshahi for taking part in the festival.
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