Members of the Indigenous Chakma and Tanchangya communities welcomed the New Year and bid farewell to the old at the Shamlapur beach in Teknaf on Saturday (April 12) by offering flowers to the sea in a symbolic gesture.
The flower-floating ritual marks the beginning of the Biju Festival, the most significant social celebration for many Indigenous groups in Bangladesh’s hill regions. The tradition is rooted in prayers for peace, well-being, and prosperity in the coming year.
Early morning, men, women, and children — dressed in vibrant traditional attire such as pinon-hadi and dhuti-panjabi — gathered at the shoreline. With deep reverence, they offered colorful flowers to the ocean in homage to Lord Buddha and expressed their hopes for a harmonious life.
Biju is typically celebrated over three days. The first day, Phool Biju, involves floral offerings; the second day, Mul Biju, is the main day of festivity; and the final day, Gojjapojja, is reserved for social gatherings and cultural exchanges.
Advocate Pradeep Chakma, who participated in the event, expressed his emotions: “It feels wonderful to see such a large gathering. This celebration is a reaffirmation of our commitment to preserve our culture and heritage.”
Emon Tanchangya, General Secretary of the Indigenous Forum in Ukhiya upazila, explained the essence of the ritual: “Phool Biju is about cleansing ourselves from the burdens and fatigue of the past year and praying for joy, peace, and renewed energy in the new one.”
Beyond Shamlapur, the flower-floating ceremony was also observed at several other beaches in Cox’s Bazar, including Shaibal Point, Diabetes Point, Himchari, Inani, and Patuartek, where indigenous communities came together in large numbers to celebrate their cherished tradition.
By Abdur Rashid Manik
Photo: Courtesy
