Branding Bangladesh in Tourism

Bangladesh is a land of cultural diversity where there are almost 35 indigenous groups living at different places of the country bearing their own way of living life and practicing cultural values. Most of the indigenous people live in Chittagong Hill Tracts which consists of three districts- Khagrasari, Rangamati and Banderban. Every district has a circle (to govern the people) headed by a king. Banderban circle has a Marma king. Every year, the local people who are from different indigenous groups, pay tax to the king. The tax paying ceremony is called Bomang Rajpunnah which is one of biggest festivals observed by the indigenous people of Banderban.

The festival has started from 1875. It takes place usually at convenient time in the month of January and February. The main element of the festival is ‘alak’ (a kind of alcohol) which the local people bring as a gift for the king. On the tax paying day, people from different indigenous groups dance in front of the king. The king entertains the people with foods and alak. A fair is organized at an open place where cultural programs are held and also the people buy and sell colorful handicrafts which bear the cultural distinctiveness of their respective groups. Rajpunnah is an occasion where people from different ethnic groups come at one place to share their cultural values and beliefs. It’s a great occasion for the people of Banderban to celebrate by drinking lots of alak and dancing.