We are all familiar with the mad rush of people leaving Dhaka city on the eve of Eid. They take risks and trouble to reach home to enjoy the festival with their loved ones. Festivals are not solitary affairs. They are occasions for shared joy with family, friends, and even strangers.
In the book “Routledge Handbook of Festivals” Dr. Judith Mair suggests a quite comprehensive definition of a festival: “short-term, recurring, publicly accessible events that usually celebrate and/or perform particular elements of culture that are important to the place in which they are held or the communities which hold them; that provide opportunities for recreation and entertainment; and that give rise to feelings of belonging and sharing”.
This definition truly encompasses all aspects of a festival. Take, for example, Eid al Fitr, it’s short term – celebrated on one day, it’s recurring – held every year, it’s the biggest festival for Muslim communities around the world. It’s celebrated with religious and cultural practices including Eid prayers, visiting friends and relatives, sharing special food with family and guests, and enjoying various indoor and outdoor entertainment.
The major festivals like Christmas, Eid, Diwali, etc., originate from religious faiths. The largest secular festivals are New Year festivals. Different nations and cultures have their own solar or lunar calendars and celebrate with festivity the first day of their calendar year. In our country, it’s the “Pohela Boishakh” which we celebrate with colorful rallies, fairs, music, special food, and dress. In China, it’s “Chunjie” which is celebrated for fifteen days – the longest New Year celebration in the world. Although there are different indigenous calendars in various regions of Earth, the Gregorian calendar is used for practical purposes throughout the world and 1st January is celebrated as New Year’s Day with grand festivity everywhere. Thus, we celebrate New Year twice a year. We don’t mind that because we love festivals and entertainment.
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This article was published in the Daily Sun on December 27, 2023. Please read the full article here or here.