Unity in Diversity

Cultural programme, an exhibition and a fair offering handicrafts and everyday items that are inseparable part of the indigenous lifestyle, are highlights of the festival. Photo: Mumit M.

With the slogan 'Unity in Diversity', a three-day cultural festival featuring indigenous groups from different parts of the country, is being held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre. Titled 'Cultural Diversity Festival 2010', the programme began on December 2.
The programme has been jointly organised by Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Facility (CHTDF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Ministry of Hill Tracts Affairs.
Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, MP, inaugurated the festival and presided as chief guest at the opening ceremony. Delegates, ambassadors of various countries and high officials, among others, attended the inauguration.
Cultural programme, an exhibition and a fair offering handicrafts and everyday items that are inseparable part of the indigenous lifestyle, are the highlights of the festival. Handicrafts, paintings, agro products, non-timber forest products, traditional attires and ornaments are on display and for sale at the festival. The fair at the Milkyway of the conference centre has been drawing a good number of enthusiastic Dhakaiites everyday.
The exhibition features 113 stalls by indigenous communities from both hilly and plain areas. Chakma, Marma, Bawm, Tanchangya, Rakhain, Tripura, Garo, Santal and other indigenous communities are taking part in the festival.
Groups of weavers representing the Chakma, Bawm and Tripura communities have set up their stalls -- demonstrating their traditional weaving techniques. Though the weaving tools are apparently similar, they are known by different names and are used in unique ways to produce fabric. The Chakmas call their loom 'bain', while the Tripuras and Bawms call theirs 'ritani' and 'thiamtah' respectively.
Usually women do the weaving. They produce attires both for men and women known as 'pinan', 'khadi', as well as blankets, shawls and fatuas.
Visitors also thronged the stalls offering food. Homemade cakes, pickles, jam and spicy dishes which the indigenous people consume everyday and prepare for special occasions, are a hit with the fair-goers. Cakes such as 'bini pitha', 'chhyana pitha' and 'bora pitha' are some of the popular treats.
Exotic paintings, handicrafts, and T-shirts are major attractions. Shawls and ornaments including necklaces, rings and belts seemed to draw women of all ages.
The Hall of Fame of the conference centre is vibrant with dances and music by artistes from different communities. Through performances, the artistes demonstrate their respective cultural traditions. On the first day of the festival, artistes of 10 indigenous groups performed. Among them performances by Marma, Chakma, and Santal artistes were remarkable.
The cultural programme ends today. The exhibition and fair will remain open from 10 am to 8 pm till December 5.