“Homeguti Khela”: A traditional game marked with festivity

A scene from the gamePhoto: STAR

The two-century-old traditional “Homeguti Khela” was recently held at the Boroiata field in Laxmipur village, Phulbaria Upazila, some 16 kilometer away from the district town. Thousands of enthusiastic people from near and far thronged the venue and enjoyed the game. According to the organisers, the sport is held annually.
President of Homeguti Khela Smriti Sangsad, A.B. Siddique, inaugurated the game. Among others, local Union Parishad Chairman, Ashiqul Haque, was present at the event.
“Homeguti Khela” (the game requires hiding the guti, a brass ball) is played on the last day of the Bengali month, Poush, every year. The day is locally known as “Pahura” or “Poush Sangkranti” and is celebrated by the local people.
Residents of several villages of the upazila, form a group and participate in the game. The guti or brass ball, weighting around 30 kilograms, is hidden by a group, which another group has to locate. The winning team is accorded a reception in Laxmipur village. The game does not end until the guti is found. Last year the game continued for eight hours straight and was eventually found in the Vitibari village, close to Muktagacha Upazila. Once the game continued for ten days at a strech.