Biju festival begins with flower floats, wishes for world peace

The three-day Biju festival of the Chakma community began on Sunday to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one. The festival begins with the floating of flowers in various places including rivers, streams, and fountains from early morning.

The first day of the festival is called ‘Phul Biju’. On this day, along with worship and worship, houses are cleaned and decorated. Chakma men, women, and children pray for a beautiful world by floating flowers. Women wear traditional costumes such as pinon-hadi and men wear dhoti to join the festival.

This morning, when I went to the Chengi River in the Rubber Dam area of ​​Panchhari Upazila, I saw that the residents of the local Chakma community had gathered to float flowers. One of them is an elderly Bashundhara Chakma. He has come from the Latiban area, two kilometers away. He said, ‘I used to come with my children to float flowers. Now, even though it is difficult as I get older, I come with my grandchildren for peace of mind. “This time I prayed with all my heart, that we could all live well together, that there would be peace in the world.”

Priscilla Chakma is one of the young women who came to float flowers. She said, “We, friends, floated flowers in the Chengi River and wished for happiness and peace for the coming days. Hundreds of men and women have joined the festival here. I, too, wait for this day all year long.”

We, friends, floated flowers in the Chengi River and wished for happiness and peace for the coming days. Hundreds of men and women have joined the festival here. I, too, wait for this day all year long.
Priscilla Chakma, resident, Panchhari
People from the plains also gathered in the Rubber Dam area to watch the festival. Upma Barua and Salma Akhter came from Cox’s Bazar to watch the festival. They said that they had once gone to see the flower floating festival in Rangamati in 2024. They were very impressed by the festival. This time, they have come to see the flower floating festival again.

We also spoke to Subrata Chakma, former chairman of Ultachhari Union Parishad (UP). He said, “Biju has been around since ancient times. Biju means joy, commotion, Biju means moving around in groups. Biju means creating bonds of brotherhood.”

The Chakmas celebrate Biju on the last two days of the Bengali year and the first day of the new year. Today is Phul Biju, Sunday, April 13 is Mool Biju, April 14 is Nu’a Bajra or New Year, and the day after Poyala Baishakh is celebrated as ‘Gojye Pojye Din’. On the first day of the festival, worship is performed and the house is cleaned and decorated. On the second day, guests are entertained and food is prepared. On the third day, poultry and animals are fed and blessings are sought from elders.