Unity in diversity
With the slogan "Unity in Diversity", a three-day cultural festival featuring different indigenous groups is being held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre. Titled "Cultural Diversity Festival '09", the programme began on December 3 and ends today. The programme has been jointly organised by Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Facility (CHTDF) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Cultural programme, and an exhibition and sale of handicrafts and everyday items that are inseparable parts of indigenous lifestyle are the highlights of the festival. Handicrafts, agro products, non-timber forest products, traditional attires and ornaments are on display at the festival, which is drawing a good number of keen visitors everyday.
The organisers informed that the exhibition features over hundred stalls by 13 communities from the hilly areas and 19 communities from the plains. Chakma, Marma, Bawm, Tanchangya, Rakhaine, Tripura, Garo, Santal, Karmakar and other indigenous communities are taking part in the festival.
At one corner of the venue, 12 groups of weavers representing the Chakma, Bawm and Tripura communities have set up their stalls -- demonstrating their traditional weaving techniques. Though the weaving tools look quite similar, they are known by different terms and are used in unique ways to produce clothing. The Chakmas call their loom 'bain', while the Tripuras and Bawms call theirs 'ritani' and 'thiamtah' respectively.
Usually women do the weaving. They produced attires both for men and women known as 'pinan', 'khadi', blankets, shawls, 'fatua' etc.
Also on display and sale were traditional foods. Homemade cakes, steamed rice, jam and spicy dishes which the indigenous people consume everyday and prepare for special occasion are a hit with the visitors. Cakes such as 'bini pitha', 'chhyana pitha' and 'bora pitha' are some of the attractions.
To encourage the indigenous communities -- living in the hilly areas -- to produce their traditional items for a bigger market, CHTDF has arranged an award-giving programme. CHTDF awarded different products based on design, quality, market appeal and originality. Several stalls featuring last year's award winners are also part of the festival.
Ornaments including necklaces, rings and belts seemed to draw women of all ages.
Cultural programme at the Hall of Fame featured dance and music by the artistes of different communities. Through the performances, the artistes demonstrated their respective cultural traditions. On the first day of the festival, artistes of Chakma, Marma, Tanchangya communities (from the hilly regions) as well as the Karmakar group (from the plains) performed.
The exhibition is open from 10am to 8pm, while the cultural show takes place in the evening.
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