'Boisabi' Festival in the Hills

Boisabi, one of the main festivals of ethnic groups in the hill tracts of Bandarban, Rangamati and Khagrachari, began on Wednesday (12 April).

The first day of the festival is known as "Phul Biju" and is celebrated by Chakmas and Tanchangyas.

This Boisabi festival is known as Baisu in Tripura language, Sangraing in Marma language and Biju in Chakma-Tanchangya language.

With this festival, the people of this region bid farewell to the old year and welcomed the new year. In the hills, 11 tribal communities organise various programmes to celebrate their own culture and traditions.

The celebration began through young women of Chakma-Tanchangya immersing flowers in Chengi River and Shankha River in the town's Khabangpuria area by the local Tripura community.

Ethnic groups in the hill tracts have undertaken a four-day programme to celebrate the New Year festival. Programmes include Mongol Shobhajatra on 13 April, elderly puja and pitha making festival. Buddha Puja will be held on the banks of Sangu river on Friday.