Culture of Bangladesh

Prepared by: Humayun kabir, Lecturer, Dept. of Sociology and Anthropology, Green University
of Bangladesh

Meaning of Culture
 The ideas, customs, and social behavior of a particular people or society is generally
known as culture.

 A culture is a way of life of a group of people.

 E.B. Tylor defined culture as, "that complex whole which includes knowledge, belief, art,
morals, law, custom and any other capabilities and habits acquired by man as a member
of society.“

 Cambridge English Dictionary states that culture is, "the way of life, especially the
general customs and beliefs, of a particular group of people at a particular time."

Culture of Bangladesh
 The Culture of Bangladesh refers to the way of life of the people of Bangladesh.

 It has evolved over the centuries and encompasses the cultural diversity of several social
groups of Bangladesh.

 The Bengal Renaissance of the 19th and early 20th centuries, noted Bengali writers,
authors, scientists, researchers, thinkers, music composers, painters, and film-makers
have played a significant role in the development of Bengali culture.

 It is manifested in various forms, including music, dance, and drama; art and craft;
folklore ; languages and literature; philosophy and religion; festivals and celebrations; as
well as in a distinct cuisine and culinary tradition.

Music, Dance and Drama

 The music and dance styles of Bangladesh may be divided into three categories: classical,
folk, and modern.

 The classical style has been influenced by other prevalent classical forms of music and
dances of the Indian subcontinent.

 The folk and tribal music and dance forms of Bangladesh are of indigenous origin and
rooted to the soil of Bangladesh.
  Most prevalent of folk songs and music traditions include Bhatiali, Baul, Marfati,
Murshidi, and Bhawaiya.

 Lyricists like Lalon Shah, Hason Raja, Kangal Harinath, Romesh Shill, Abbas Uddin,
and many unknown anonymous lyricists have enriched the tradition of folk songs of
Bangladesh.

 In relatively modern context, Robindro Shongit and Nazrul Giti form precious cultural
heritage of Bangladesh.

 In recent time, western influences have given rise to several quality rock bands,
particularly in urban centers like Dhaka.

 Several musical instruments, which are used in Bangladesh, are- the bamboo flute,
drums, a single stringed instrument named ektara, a four stringed instrument called
dotara, and a pair of metal bawls used for rhythm effect called mandira, are important in
the culture of Bangladesh.

 Currently, several musical instruments of western origin like guitars, drums, and the
saxophone are also used, sometimes alongside with traditional instruments.

Festivals and celebrations

 Festivals and celebrations are an integral part of the culture of Bangladesh.

 Prominent and widely celebrated festivals are:

 Pohela Boishakh,

 Independence day,

 Eid ul-Fitr,

 Eid ul-Adha,

 Durga puja, and

 Language Movement Day and other national days.

Pohela Boishakh Celebration in Bangladesh

 Pohela Boishakh is the first day of the Bengali New Year. Now it is celebrated on the
14th of April of the Gregorian calendar.

 Celebrations of Pahela Baishakh started from Akbar’s reign.

  The main event of the day was to open a Halkhata (new fresh book) of accounts. In
villages, towns and cities, traders and shopkeepers closed their old account book and
opened new one.

 Women particularly young girls dress up white saris with red borders and men clothed
Punjabi, fatua with traditional art in Pahela Boishakh.

 They spend much time of the day visiting relatives, friends, and neighbors and going to
fair.

 The most colorful New Year’s Day festival takes place in the Ramna Batamul, Dhaka.

 Large numbers of people of different ages gather early in the morning under the banyan
tree where Chhayanat’s artists open the day with Rabindranath Tagore’s famous song,
Esho, hey Boishakh, Esho Esho… (Come, hey Boishakh, Come, Come…).

 People celebrate this cultural festive starting their day having breakfast with Panta-Ilisha
supplemented with different kind of Vortas.

Eid ul-Fitr
 Muslim festivals follow a lunar calendar.

 After a month long fasting in Ramadan, the Holy Festival Eid-ul-Fitr comes with great
joy and the occasion of social gathering.

 Eid ul Fitr is the most important religious festival for the majority Muslims community.

 The celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr has become a part of the culture of Bangladesh.

 People shop new dress and other necessary items much on the occasion.

 City dwellers who have families or parents in villages go to their country homes to meet
relatives, friends & neighbors and celebrate the festival together.

 All outgoing public transports from the major cities become highly crowded and in many
cases the fares rises up in spite of government restrictions.

 On Eid day, the Eid prayer are held all over the country, in open areas like fields or inside
mosques.

Eid ul-Adha
 The celebration of Eid ul-Adha is similar to Eid ul-Fitr in many ways. The only big
difference is the Qurbani or sacrifice of domestic animals on Eid ul-Adha.
  Numerous temporary marketplaces of different sizes called hat operate in the big cities
for sale of Qurbani animals (usually cows and goats).

 In the morning on the Eid day, immediately after the prayer, affluent people thank God
for the animal, and then sacrifice it.

 After the qurbani, a large portion of the meat is given to the poor people.

Durga Puja
 Durga Puja is the biggest celebration of Hindu community.

 On the occasion, the Debi Durga statues astride a lion, with her ten hands holding ten
different weapons, are placed in not only regular Hindu temple but also enormous
temporary stages.

 Hindu community shop new dress on the occasion.

 It is now a day’s one of the most public gathering occasion.

 Puja stage is visited not only Hindu community but also all classes of people of
Bangladesh.

Pahela Falgun/Bashanta Utshob

 The day is celebrated on February 13.

 A colorful festival held to welcome Bashanto (spring).

 Young girls wear reddish-yellow saris with red border and decorated hairs with flowers,
and boys wear traditional pajama and Punjabi.

 A good number of kids also get their attractive faces painted with different motifs
including birds, national flag, butterflies etc. 

Nobanno (Harvesting Month)

 In the rural area, the farmers’ community starts harvesting and with this joy they
celebrate Nobanno.

 They made PAYESH (Sweet dish made with rice and boiled milk), various kind of
traditional rice cakes to celebrate Nobanno. 

PAUSH PARBON
  In this season people celebrate Paush Parbon with Date Juice and various kinds of Pithas.

 Kuli pitha, Khajer pitha, Vapa pitha, chitai pitha and various date juice based pitha are
remarkable.

 Grihasto (farmer) invites their married daughter and son of law on the occasion.

Traditional Marriage Ceremony in Bangladesh

 Settle marriage is popular in Bangladesh.

 Once the guardians (only) of bride and grooms settled such relation and the bride and
groom’s opinions had minor priority.

 Now a day the situations has been improved and given the priority of bride and bride
groom likes.

 They invite all friends, neighbors and relatives as much possible on the weeding festival.

 Bangladeshi weeding ceremony has its own tradition and customs for days long.

Cuisine and Culinary Tradition of Bangladesh

 The region is famous for its illusive culinary tradition, and delicious food, dessert and
snacks.

 Plain rice is the staple food and it is served with a variety of vegetables either fried or
curry or even Bharta, egg, thick lentil soups, and fish or meat.

 As Dessert Misti Dhohi, flat Chana, Sandesh, Rasgolla, Ras Malai, Kalojam, Pudding etc
are unique and Kheer is also a great tasty milk based dessert.

 Traditional drinks are tea, Lassi, Sugarcane Juice, Lime and Date juices, Green Coconut
Water are mentionable.