BANGLADESH: A RICH

COUNTRY

Submitted to:
Professor Dr. AKM Golam Rabbani

Submitted by:
Name: Kazi Zabir Tasnimul Hassan
ID: 1430433030

Course: HIS101 Sec:

16/03/2017
Table of Contents

Overview.................................................................................................................... 2
Cultural history........................................................................................................... 3
Religion....................................................................................................................... 4
Music Dance Drama.................................................................................................... 5
Urbanism, architecture and Heritage..........................................................................6
Festivals..................................................................................................................... 7
Lifestyle...................................................................................................................... 9
Sports....................................................................................................................... 10
Criticism................................................................................................................... 11
Evaluation and conclusion........................................................................................ 12
 Overview
"Bangladesh" is a combination of the Bengali words, Bangla and Desh, meaning the
country or land where the Bangla language is spoken. The country formerly was
known as East Pakistan.

Bangladesh forms the largest and eastern part of the Bengal region. Bangladeshis
include people of different ethnic groups and religions. Bengalis, who speak the
official Bengali, make up 98% of the population. The politically dominant Bengali
Muslims make the nation the world's third largest Muslim-majority country. Most of
Bangladesh is covered by the Bengal delta, the largest delta on Earth. The country
has 700 rivers and 8,046 km (5000 miles) of inland waterways. Highlands with
evergreen forests are found in the northeastern and southeastern regions of the
country. Bangladesh has many islands and a coral reef. It is home to the
Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world. The country's biodiversity
includes a vast array of plant and wildlife, including critically endangered Bengal
tigers, the national animal.

Bangladeshi national identity is rooted in a Bengali culture that transcends

international borders and includes the area of Bangladesh itself and West Bengal,
India. Symbolically, Bangladeshi identity is centered on the 1971 struggle for
independence from Pakistan. During that struggle, the key elements of Bangladeshi
identity coalesced around the importance of the Bengali mother tongue and the
distinctiveness of a culture or way of life connected to the floodplains of the region.
Since that time, national identity has become increasingly linked to Islamic symbols
as opposed to the Hindu Bengali, a fact that serves to reinforce the difference
between Hindu West Bengal and Islamic Bangladesh.

The Culture of Bangladesh (Bengali: Bangladesher Sngskrriti)

refers to the way of life of the people of Bangladesh. It has evolved over the
centuries and encompasses the cultural diversity of several social groups of
Bangladesh. The Bengal Renaissance contained the seeds of a nascent political
Indian nationalism and was the precursor in many ways to modern Indian artistic
and cultural expression. The culture of Bangladesh centuries has assimilated
influences of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity.

The culture of Bangladesh could be described through the following categories:

Cultural History
Religion
Music dance drama
Urbanism, architecture and heritage
Festivals
Lifestyle
Sports
 Cultural history

The creation of the independent nation represents the triumph of ethnic and cultural
politics. The region that is now Bangladesh has been part of a number of important
political entities, including Indian empires, Buddhist kingdoms, the Moghul Empire,
the British Empire and the Pakistani nation.

Root of Culture:
Bengali culture includes the area with Bangladesh and West Bengal India.
Identity:
Centered in 1971, struggle for independence from Pakistan.
Key elements of Bangladeshi identity:
Mother tongue and religion

Cultural changes with respect to movements:

1947: Islam influenced our culture rather than other religion.

1952: Language movement occurred to establish Bengali as our mother
tongue.
1971: We got rid off Pakistani culture and created our own.
1976-1998: Hindu and Muslim became happy to share the same culture.

Modern cultural history:

Portuguese merchant came first.

Then came the Dutch, the French and the English
British period: A new aristocratic culture evolved under the influence of
English language, literature and culture.
Pakistan period: the Bengalis started to search for their identity. They
discovered their image in the non-communal folk tradition.
 Religion

Bangladesh is ethnically homogeneous, with Bengalis comprising 98% of the

population. Bangladesh is a Muslim-majority country. Muslims constitute around
87% of the population in Bangladesh while Hindus and Buddhists are the most
significant minorities of the country. Christians, Sikhs and atheists form a very
minuscule part of the population. But due to immense cultural diversity, multiple
dialects, hybridisation of social traits and norms as well as cultural upbringing,
Bangladeshis cannot be stereotyped very easily, except for the only fact that they
are very resilient in nature. People of different religions perform their religious
rituals with festivity in Bangladesh. The Government has declared National Holidays
on all important religious festivals of the four major religions. Eid al-Fitr, Durga Puja,
Christmas, and Buddha Purnima are celebrated with enthusiasm in Bangladesh. All
of these form an integral part of the cultural heritage of Bangladesh. People from
several tribal communities like Chakma, Garo, Khasi, Jaintia, Marma, Santhal,
Manipuri, Tripuri, Tanchangya, Mru, Mandi, Kuki, Bawm, Oraon, Khiang, Chak,
Dhanuk, Munda, Rohingya also have their own respective festivals.
 Music Dance Drama

The music and dance styles of Bangladesh may be divided into three categories:
classical, folk, and modern.

The classical style has been influenced by other prevalent classical forms of music
and dances of the Indian subcontinent and, accordingly, show some influenced
dance forms like Bharatnatyam and Kathak.

Bangladesh has a rich tradition of folk songs, with lyrics rooted in vibrant tradition
and spirituality, mysticism, and devotion. Such folk songs revolve around other
themes, including love. The most prevalent folk songs and music traditions include
Bhatiali, Baul, Marfati, Murshidi, and Bhawaiya. Lyricists like Lalon Shah, Hason Raja,
Kangal Harinath, Romesh Shill, Abbas Uddin, and many unknown anonymous
lyricists have enriched the tradition of folk songs of Bangladesh.

In a relatively modern context, Robindro Shongit and Nazrul Giti form precious
cultural heritage of Bangladesh. Recently, western influences have given rise to
quality rock bands, particularly in urban centres like Dhaka. Several musical
instruments, some of them indigenous, are used in Bangladesh, and major musical
instruments used are the bamboo flute (bashi), drums (dhol), a single stringed
instrument named ektara, a four-stringed instrument called dotara, and a pair of
metal bawls used for rhythm effect called
mandira, are important in the
culture of Bangladesh. Currently,musical
instruments of western origin like
guitars, drums, and the saxophone are
used, sometimes along with traditional
instruments (Muajj).
 Urbanism, architecture and Heritage

Bangladesh is still primarily a rural culture, and the gram or village is an important
spatial and cultural concept even for residents of the major cities. Most people
identify with a natal or ancestral village in the countryside.

Houses in villages are commonly rectangular, and are dried mud, bamboo, or red
brick structures with thatch roofs. Many are built on top of earthen or wooden
platforms to keep them above the flood line. Houses have little interior decoration,
and wall space is reserved for storage. Furniture is minimal, often consisting only of
low stools. People sleep on thin bamboo mats. Houses have verandas in the front,
and much of daily life takes place under their eaves rather than indoors. A separate
smaller mud or bamboo structure serves as a kitchen ( rana ghor ), but during the
dry season many women construct hearths and cook in the household courtyard.
Rural houses are simple and functional, but are not generally considered aesthetic
showcases.

Architectural styles in the cities show numerous historical influences, including

Moghul and Islamic motifs with curved arches, windows, and minarets, and square
British colonial wood and concrete construction. The National Parliament building
(Shongshad Bhabon) in Dhaka, designed by the American architect Louis Kahn,
reflects a synthesis of western modernity and curved Islamic-influenced spaces. The
National Monument in Savar, a wide-based spire that becomes narrower as it rises,
is the symbol of the country's liberation.
Bangladesh has appealing architecture from historic treasures to contemporary
landmarks. It has evolved over centuries and assimilated influences from social,
religious and exotic communities. Bangladesh has many architectural relics and
monuments dating back thousands of years.
 Festivals

Festivals and celebrations are an integral part of the culture of Bangladesh. Muslim
festivals of Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha, Milad un Nabi, Muharram, Chand raat, Shab-e-
Baraat, Bishwa Ijtema; Hindu festivals of Durga Puja, Rath Yatra, Janmashtami;
Buddhist festival of Buddha Purnima; Christian festival of Christmas and secular
festivals like Pohela Boishakh, Language Movement Day, Independence Day,
Rabindra Jayanti, Nazrul Jayanti witness widespread celebrations and are national
holidays in Bangladesh.
Eid ul-Fitr: As the most important religious festival for the majority of Muslims, the
celebration of Eid ul-Fitr has become a part of the culture of Bangladesh. The
government of Bangladesh declares the holiday for three days on Eid-ul Fitr. On Eid
day, the Eid prayers are held all over the country, in open areas like fields, Eidgahs
or inside mosques. After the Eid prayers, people return home, visit each other's
home and eat sweet dishes called Shirini, Sheer Khurma and other delicacies like
biryani, korma, haleem, kebab etc. Throughout the day people embrace each other
and exchange greetings. It is also customary for junior members of the society to
touch the feet of the seniors, and seniors returning blessings (sometimes with a
small sum of money as a gift). Money and food is donated to the poor.
Eid-ul-Adha: The second most important religious festival. The celebration of Eid
ul-Adha is similar to Eid ul-Fitr in many ways. The only big difference is the Qurbani
or sacrifice of domestic animals on Eid ul-Adha. Numerous temporary marketplaces
of different sizes called hat operate in the big cities for sale of Qurbani animals
(usually cows, goats and sheep). In the morning on the Eid day, immediately after
the prayer, people thank God for the animal, and then sacrifice it.
Pohela Baishakh: Pohela Boishakh is the first day of the Bengali calendar. It is
usually celebrated on 14 April. Pohela Boishakh marks the start day of the crop
season. Usually on Phela Boishakh, the home is thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned;
people bathe early in the morning and dress in fine clothes. They spend much of the
day visiting relatives, friends, and neighbours and going to the fair. Fairs are
arranged in many parts of the country where various agricultural products,
traditional handicrafts, toys, cosmetics, as well as various kinds of food and sweets
are sold. The fairs also provide entertainment, with singers, dancers and traditional
plays and songs. Horse races, bull races, bullfights, cockfights, flying pigeons, and
boat racing were once popular. All gatherings and fairs consist a wide spread of
Bengali food and sweets. The most colourful New Year's Day festival takes place in
Dhaka.

Language day: In 1952, the emerging middle classes of East Bengal underwent an
uprising known later as the Bangla Language Movement. Bangladeshis (then East
Pakistanis) were initially agitated by a decision by the Central Pakistan Government
to establish Urdu, a minority language spoken only by the supposed elite class of
West Pakistan, as the sole national language for all of Pakistan. Defying this, the
students of University of Dhaka and Dhaka Medical College and other political
activists started a procession on 21 February 1952. The day is revered in
Bangladesh and, to a somewhat lesser extent, in West Bengal as the Martyrs' Day.
This day is the public holiday in Bangladesh. UNESCO decided to observe 21
February as International Mother Language Day.
Durga Puja: Durga Puja, largest religious festival for Hindus, is celebrated widely
across Bangladesh. Thousands of pandals (mandaps) are set up in various villages,
towns and cities. Durga Puja is a grand cultural celebration in the capital city of
Dhaka. Major pujas of Dhaka are held in numerous pandals, but the biggest
celebration takes place at Dhakeshwari Temple where several thousand worshippers
and onlookers stream through the premises for four days.
Weddings: A traditional wedding is arranged by Ghotoks (matchmakers), who are
typically friends or relatives of the couple. The matchmakers facilitate the
introduction, and also help agree the amount of any settlement. Bengali weddings
are traditionally in five parts: first it is the bride and groom's Mehendi Shondha, the
bride's Gaye Holud, the groom's Gaye Holud, the Beeya, and the Bou Bhaat. These
often take place on separate days. The first event in a wedding is an informal one:
the groom presents the bride with a ring marking the "engagement" which is
gaining popularity. For the mehendi shondha the bride's side apply henna to each
other as well as the bride for the bride's Gaye Holud, the groom's family except
the groom himself go in procession to the bride's home. The actual wedding
ceremony "Biye" follows the Gaye Holud ceremonies. The wedding ceremony is
arranged by the bride's family. On the day, the younger members of the bride's
family barricade the entrance to the venue, and demand a sort of admission charge
from the groom in return for allowing him to enter. The bride and groom are seated
separately, and a Kazi (authorised person by the govt. to perform the wedding),
accompanied by the parents and a Wakil (witness) from each side formally asks the
bride for her consent to the union, and then the groom for his. The reception, also
known as Bou-Bhaat (reception), is a party given by the groom's family in return for
the wedding party. It is typically a much more relaxed affair, with only the second-
best wedding outfit being worn.

Lifestyle

Cuisine: Bangladesh is famous for its distinctive culinary tradition, delicious food,
snacks, and savouries. Steamed rice constitutes the staple food, and is served with
a variety of vegetables, fried as well with curry, thick lentil soups, egg, fish and
meat preparations of chicken, mutton, beef, duck. Sweetmeats of Bangladesh are
mostly milk based, and consist of several delights including roshgulla, shondesh,
roshomalai, gulap jam, kalo jam, and chom-chom. Bengali cuisine is rich and varied
with the use of many specialised spices and flavours. Fish is the dominant source of
protein, cultivated in ponds and fished with nets in the rivers. More than 40 types of
mostly freshwater fish are common, including carp, varieties
like rui (rohu), katla, magur (catfish), chingi (prawn or
shrimp), as well as shuki machh (dried sea fish) are popular.
Clothes: Bangladeshi people have unique dress preferences.
Bangladeshi men sometimes wear kurta or panjabi on religious
and cultural occasions. Bangladeshi men wear lungi as casual
wear (in rural areas) and shirt-pant or suits on formal
occasions. Sharee is the main and traditional dress of
Bangladeshi women also and some young female also wear
salwar kameez. In urban areas, women can also be seen
wearing Western clothes. The women also have a different preference to which
types of Sharee or any other popular dess like Salwar kameez they would like to
wear.

Sports

Cricket is the most popular sport in Bangladesh, followed by football. Kabaddi is the
national sport in Bangladesh. Cricket is a game which has a massive and passionate
following in Bangladesh. Bangladesh has joined the elite group of countries eligible
to play Test cricket since 2000. The Bangladesh national cricket team goes by the
nickname of the Tigers after the royal Bengal tiger. The people of Bangladesh
enjoy watching live sports. The people also celebrate major victories of the national
teams with great enthusiasm for the live game. Victory processions are the most
common element in such celebrations Also in late 2006 and 2007, football legend
Zinedine Zidane paid a visit to local teams and various events thanks to the invite
of Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Some traditional sports of
Bangladesh include Nouka Baich, Kho Kho, Boli Khela, Lathi Khela etc.
 Criticism

It is considered that Bangladesh is one of the most culturally rich countries in the
world. As included above it can be assumed that this culture with so many
attributes is indeed very wealthy. People emphasize greatly on their traditions and
beliefs. On every cultural celebration you will see the streets of Dhaka (Capital of
Bangladesh) flood with millions and millions of people. People love their culture and
take it quite seriously. However with such richness in our culture we are still lacking.
The richness in our culture cannot be enhanced due to problems in our economy.
Recently it can also be observed that some of it are fading away and not being
protected. Bangladesh is attacked by various social problems. The main problems
includes Youth propblems, over population, poverty, crime, corruption, Illiteracy, etc.
Youth: Although the Government of Bangladesh has formulated policy, plans and
programs for youth welfare and implementing these programs through GOs and
NGOs relevant literatures suggest that youths in this country, irrespective of all age-
grades and regions, face a lot of socio-cultural problems in which they cannot
develop and empower themselves properly. As a result, they cannot play their
significant roles in country's socioeconomic development and change.
Overpopulation: Overpopulation is not simply a function of the number or density
to the individuals but rather the number of individuals compared to the resources
(i.e. food production) they need to survive. In other words, it is the ratio of
population divided by resources. If a given environment has a population of ten, but
there is food and drinking water enough for only nine, then that environment is
overpopulated. Due to this people are not being able to celebrate their festivals
properly and also that our heritages are being inhabited by poor people. Lack of
open space abandons them from sports activities and proper way of lifestyle
Poverty: Includes sustained low levels of income for members of a community. It
includes lack of access to services like education, markets, health care, lack of
decision- making ability, traditional agricultural system, lack of industrialization,
unproductive education system, over population, less production, unemployment,
natural disaster, lack of employment for woman, illiteracy and communal facilities
like water.
Illiteracy: Traditional definition of literacy is the ability tousle language, to read,
write, listen, to speak. In modern context the word means reading and waiting in a
level adequate written communication and generally a level that enable one to
successfully function levels of a society is one in which literacy plays a role in
Access power. Literacy rate is quite low in Bangladesh as a result people suffer from
basic manners and judgments which causes them to be involved in illegal practices.
Crime: Crime is doing something forbidden by low. That could mean stealing a
mobile phone, vandalism, graffiti mugging, stealing or taking and selling drugs.
Antisocial behavior is criminalized and treated as offences against society which
justifies punishment by the government. Due to high rate of crimes taking place
again festivals are not taking place properly. Its often not safe to get into large
crowd where for example recently In TSC on Pohela Baishakh several women were
harassed and also quite a few days ago in Puran Dhaka while celebrating Holi again
harassment took place.

Evaluation and conclusion

In order to enhance and protect our culture we all be should standing on our own,
enact certain rules and policies and immediately we should take proper measures to
deal with the problem.
First of all, Youth in a country is the most viable and potential human resource not
only in population structure but also in social structure. Without proper and
integrated bio-social development of the youth a nation cannot achieve her human
goals intended. Based on literatures reviewed this paper describes youth's problems
in their proper development and empowerment in Bangladesh. To overcome the
youth's problems in relation to their development and empowerment, some
suggestions are formulated.

Youth participation in development activities accordance to our culture

Youth for development of youth
Enhancement of employment opportunities: The government should
introduce self-
employment program providing with training and microcredit facilities as per
guidelines of National Youth Policy.
About certain measures and rules:

Formulating population policy: Realistic population policy should be made

on the basis of various reaches arch related to population control and family
planning
Family planning: it is possible to control the population of this country
without family planning and planned family is very much important in this
regard.
Expansion of education: Education is an important tool for controlling over
population growth. Particularly female education can play an important role
regarding population problem.
Early marriage: early marriage must be controlled though law and
minimum marriage age for boys and girls should be 20 and 25 years
respectively. Action should be taken if anyone breaks the law.
Formulating and implementing plan at national level for crediting poverty.
Increasing agricultural and industrial production.
Population control.
Proper distribution of wealth and decreasing misuse of wealth.
Minimizing social discrimination.
Employment generation.
Introducing compulsory free primary education
Extending female education

Conclusion: Hence as outlined above Bangladesh faces many social problems.

Thus we should strictly implement the certain prescription to eradicate major social
problems from our society and help protect and enhance our culture.

References:

Ahmed, Nafis. A New Economic Geography of Bangladesh, 1976.

Ali, A. M. M. Shawkat. Politics and Land System in Bangladesh, 1986.

Alim, A. Bangladesh Rice, 1982.

Baxter, Craig. New Nation in an Old Setting, 1984.

Glassie, Henry. Art and Life in Bangladesh, 1997.

Wikipedia, Culture of bangladesh