26th march, 1971 Bangladesh independentce day

In 1947, after the departure of the British Empire, the region of Bengal was divided along religious lines. As a result, the western part went to newly created Indian state while the Eastern region joined the Pakistan province and was later renamed East Pakistan. In 1952, the Bengali Language Movement became the first sign of resistance between the two regions of Pakistan following economic and cultural issues. During this period, Awami League appeared as the sole political voice of the Bengali-speaking community and later in 1960s, demanded autonomy. A massive cyclone in 1970 caused huge devastation in the region where half a million people were killed, without any response from the government. There was anger amongst the people which was further intensified when Awami League won the Parliamentary elections and was hindered from taking office. Later on, a sustained military assault was conducted on East Pakistan and Mujibur Rehman declared the independence of Bangladesh on 26th March 1971. 

The occasion is associated with parades, speeches by political leaders, concerts, fairs, ceremonies, activities in schools and colleges and other private events celebrating the traditions of the country. TV and radio are flooded with patriotic songs and special programs in the honor of the day. Normally, a 31-gun salute is held in the morning and the streets are adorned with national flags. Besides these, political parties mark the day in an apt manner by paying homage at Jatiyo Smriti Soudho, the national memorial situated in Dhaka.

The country's highest state award, the Independence Award is bestowed upon Bangladeshi citizens or organizations on the eve of the Independence Day by the government, for exemplary performance in various fields such as education, literature, journalism, public service, science/technology etc.

The Government is a Unitary Parliamentary Republic and Jatiyo Sangshad forms the Legislature of the country. Bengali is the official language of the country but English is used frequently besides some other indigenous languages. Islam is the major religion of the country, as Muslims from about 90% of the population. The economy is heavily dependent on agriculture and the manufacturing of textiles. 

Culture of Bangladesh

Bangladesh has a history. The land, the rivers and the lives of the common people formed a rich heritage with marked differences from neighboring regions. It has evolved over the centuries and encompasses the cultural diversity of several social groups of Bangladesh. The culture of Bangladesh is composite and over centuries has assimilated influences of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity. It is manifested in various forms, including music, dance and drama; art and craft; folklore and folktales; languages and literature, philosophy and religion, festivals and celebrations, as also in a distinct cuisine and culinary tradition.

Social festival in BD.

The first day of the Bengali calendar’s year is celebrated as the New Year in Bangladesh. It is observed with great zeal and zest on the first day of Baisakh. One such day is the Bengali New Year Its main feature is that it is not a festival of the Hindus or the Buddhists alone. It is universal in nature. In fact, festivals not related to faith but materials in character are rare in the world. Its main point is that it is a social festival and its appeal is universal. The Halkhata function, observed generally by the merchant community, is still in vogue on the occasion of Pahela Baisakh.

Festivals of the Muslims in BD.

The main Muslim festivals are Eid-ul-fitr and Eid-ul-azha. Muharram, Shabe-barat, Shabe-kador are also most popular. From time to time folk culture has unfair these festivals, as a result of which the original religious practices have changed.

Eid-ul-Fitr is observed after the end of the month of Ramadan. The social meaning of Eid is a joyful festival, while its etymological meaning demotes returning lime and again. Like all other social festivals, Eid returns every year it times on Hejri. It is the case with Eid-ul-Azha. The celebration of those two festivals in the early time was biased by the folk belief of the peasants. One of the main features of the Eid festival is the reimbursement of special food and drink. The food would include korma, pilau and various types of homemade pitha, semai and jarda. One of the main features of Eid in the nineteenth century Dhaka was the Eid procession.

The Bengali Muslims do not have community songs and dances. A festival is a community participatory outdoor event. The jamaat (of Eid namaaz) is an outdoor and participatory do exercises, but truncates the society by prohibiting women from participating with the males, and secondly, it is wholly religious prayer, at best could be the 'bismillah' ceremony of the festival. But then you have no more outdoor participatory party’s where the whole society, male and females, could take pleasure in themselves in togetherness.

The main characteristic of Eid-ul-Azha is the sacrifice of animals, especially cows and oxen. Many people in the villages sacrifice domestically raise cows or goats. The majority of the professional in towns sacrifice cows on a share basis. Eid for the common people means meeting family members and friends, buying new clothes and preparing delicious food on the Eid day. So Eids, for various reasons, falls short of a national festival. It is at best a religious festival of the Muslim community.

Festivals of the Hindus in BD.

The biggest religious festival of the Hindu society in Bangladesh is the festival of Durga Puja. Hindus participate in this festival with great devotion. Durga Puja is an old festival but it is not easy to say with any degree of certainty exactly how old it is. The oldest expression of goddess Durga, who slew the Mahisasura, belonged to the fifteenth century AD. A cycle of festivals, centering on Durga Puja, is held in Bangladesh.

Festivals of other Communities

Accepting the Hindus, there are also two other religions communities in Bangladesh, viz., the Christians and the Buddhists, who monitor religious festivals of their own.

The main festival of the Buddhists is Buddha Purnima or Baisakhi Purnima. The birth of Buddha, his acceptance of asceticism, attainment of supreme enlightenment, nirvana - all these occurred on the full-moon lunar day in the month of Baisakh and as a result this is the most important and solemn festival of the Buddhists. Baisakhi Purnima is celebrated in Bangladesh with great splendor.

Christians monitor their main religious festival, Christmas Day, on 25 December on the occasion of Jesus's (PBUA) Birthday. The main works of this festival are particular prayers offered in churches, arrange­ment of feasts and offering of gifts among friends and relatives.

Carnivals all year round in BD.

Baul mela

Bauls (roaming folk singers) have been traveling in this piece of the world for thousands of years. A lifestyle matched with that of the environment, Bauls move from village to village, soul searching through meditation and singing. Walking down the rural way 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 somebody somewhere will give him shelter or food. But these days Bauls are not often seen roving the villages, singing songs, they tend to live in a community to survive. For example, a large group of Bauls lives by the sepulcher 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 society 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 salsa depicting Lord Krishna's notorious young life. Children dress up as Krishna and present in front of hundreds of devotees. In the evening begins Rash Nritya, a Manipuri mode dance performed by young girls wearing traditional Manipuri garbs.

Kite-flying

Kite-flying festival, one of the traditional celebrations in Old Dhaka dating back to the Mughal era, remains a huge crowd-puller. A huge commemoration 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 among a flurry of festivals. Bull fighting is one such unique event that still follows the tradition of celebrations.

 

Cock fight

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