The Sangrai water festival, a cherished tradition among the Marma ethnic group, has commenced with vibrant celebrations in Kaptai of Rangamati and the Marma community of Bandarban, drawing thousands of enthusiastic participants.
The Chittagong Hill Tracts witnessed the jubilant festivities of the Sangrai water festival, also known as Sangrai Ri-lang-poe festival, symbolizing the transition to the new year and bidding farewell to the old.
Organized by the Sangrai water festival celebration committee of the historic Chinmorom Buddha Bihar in Kaptai Upazila, the festival kicked off on Monday at 10:30 am, attracting locals and visitors alike. Traditional sports, cultural programs, Sangrani rallies, and spirited water festivities marked the occasion, with attendees from various upazilas of Chittagong, including the Chittagong Hill Tracts, joining in irrespective of caste or religion.
Dipankar Talukder, the president of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment, Forests, and Climate Change and MP from Rangamati, graced the event as chief guest, emphasizing the significance of cultural bonding and the spirit of inclusivity in Bangladesh’s heritage.
The festivities continued with the inauguration of the water festival, accompanied by a lively Boisakhi fair featuring diverse stalls offering an array of goods. Meanwhile, another Sangrai water festival is scheduled for Tuesday morning at the Rangamati Mari Stadium, under the auspices of the Marma cultural organization (Masas), promising further excitement and revelry.
In Bandarban, Bir Bahadur Usha Singh MP, president of the Standing Committee of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs, ceremonially inaugurated the festival at Raja Maidan, igniting joy among the Pahari-Bengali community and setting the stage for an evening filled with captivating performances by Marma tribal artist groups.
As the day progressed, the air resonated with the melodious tunes of Marma music, accompanied by spontaneous water splashing among the gathered youths, epitomizing the festive spirit. The evening concluded with the cherished tradition of crafting various traditional delicacies like pitha-puli, fostering community bonds and spreading joy among households.
As the Sangrai festival heralds the dawn of a new year for the Marma community, the festivities will continue until April 17 in various upazilas of Bandarban, embodying the rich cultural heritage and communal harmony of the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
