PABNA, Dec 25: Pursha traditional festival was held in a joyful and festive manner in Chatmohar Ethnic Palli on Tuesday.
Various events including discussion meeting, honouring of meritorious students, dance, songs, and worship were arranged on the occasion.
Chatmohar Upazila Adivasi Parishad and Manab Mukti Sangstha (MMS) jointly organized the festival at Handial Baghalbari Kai Palli in the upazila. Meghnad Mahato inaugurated the festival as the chief guest.
Chatmohar Upazila Adivasi Parishad President Karna Murari presided over the discussion meeting.
Upazila Adivasi Parishad General Secretary Bidyut Dey, Bri-Raynagar Government Primary School Head Teacher Anwar Hossain, and MMS Project Officer Mosharraf Hossain spoke at the meeting.
Several meritorious students from the ethnic community and a pregnant mother were given honorary crests at the festival. Besides, other events included tribal dance, tribal song, jhumur dance, patriotic songs, Karam Puja, and tribal drama.
Sugandha Mahato, a student from the local tribal community, said, "We, the new generation of children and women, are not able to know about culture and festivals. No one is informing us. The people here are poor. They do not have enough money to organize such festivals. Therefore, it is possible to maintain our art and cultural festival if everyone cooperates."
Old woman Pramila Rani Mahato said, "This festival is held in the month of Poush, so it is called the Pushra Tribal Festival. Many years ago, these festivals were held. We are very happy that this festival is being held after a long time. It is very good to have something like this every year."
Surbhi Mahato, Tapsi Mahato said, "Every day, everything about the tribal is being lost. Our cultural heritage is disappearing. We demand from the government that effective measures should be taken to preserve our culture and festivals."
Kashu Chandra Singh said, "Our children do not know anything about our worship, festivals, art and culture. We, the guardians, are also failing to inform them because we have to fight every day to survive due to lack of necessary funds. The arrangement that MMS is making for us and standing by our side is truly commendable. It may continue."
With the funding of the European Union and in collaboration with You Can Bangladesh and Christian Aid, NGO-MMS is implementing a project to improve the quality of life of the ethnic people and preserve their art and culture.
Mosharraf Hossain, project officer of the MMS, said, "We are working to improve the quality of life of the tribals and preserve their art and culture under the project to expand public space and strengthen good governance with the participation of civil society organizations."
Income-increasing training for families and subject-based training for the youth are being provided, and, a work is underway to make 50 families self-reliant through financial assistance, he added.
