Indigenous Cultural Festival in Rangamati
At the inaugural function of the three-day 11th Chittagong Hill Tracts Indigenous Cultural Festival, chief guest Chakma Raja Devasish Roy said that the 11 ethnic communities living in the hill tracts have distinct cultures and languages. The opulent traditions of the indigenous people have enriched the national culture. So, they must be conserved and the government should take initiatives on this front, he added further.
Jum Aesthetic Council (JAC), a CHT-based cultural organisation in Rangamati, hosted the festival recently at the premises of Rangamati Small Ethnic Cultural Institute.
Professor Rahman Nasiruddin of Chittagong University; Professor Mong Shanoo Chowdhury and cultural activist Albert Soren were the special guests. Mihir Bara Chakma, president of JAC, chaired the function.
JAC has played a significant role by arranging the festival to uphold the age-old traditions and cultures of the Jumma people, said Raja Devasish.
On the occasion of ‘Bihu/Bijhu’ festival that is celebrated on April 12-14 by the indigenous people in the hills, the JAC organises the cultural fair every year in Rangamati.
During the three-day festival, indigenous dances and songs were presented by the artistes from Chakma, Marma, Tangchangya, Tripura, Mro, Pankhua, Bawm, Khumi, Khiyang, Chak, Hajong and Santal communities.
The play “Hakkanir Dhonpana” — written by Mrittika Chakma and directed jointly by Shantimoy Chakma, Foyez Zahir — was staged by JAC Theatre. A Santal play, “Ditom” — written and directed by Cornelius Hasda — was staged by Manoan Natyadal. A Bangla play, “Amina Shundori”, directed by Milon Chowdhury from Chittagong, was staged too.
An art competition and recitation of indigenous poetry were other features of the programme.
Indigenous fabric, attire, books, musical instruments sold out rapidly at the stalls.
-With The Daily Star input
