RAJSHAHI, Nov 30, 2024 (BSS) - Rajshahi Divisional Ethnic Minority Cultural Academy (RDEMCA) has celebrated the Jatiya Nabanna Utsab (a traditional festival of the Bangalees) here today in a befitting manner.
 
Like a previous couple of years, the RDEMCA arranged various programmes, including folk song, dance, showcasing of pitha puli and colourful dress at its premises with the theme of 'Eso Mili Sabe, Nabanna Utsab.

The day is very significant for farmers of rural Bangladesh as they begin harvesting new crops on the very first day of the Bengali month of Agrahayan after waiting for months.
 
The festival has been celebrated in this region for centuries and it has become an integral part of the tradition and culture.

RDEMCA Executive Members Akbarul Hassan Millat, Deputy Director Benjamin Tudu and Sushen Kumar Shayam Duar and college student Shishir Biswash, among others, were present on the occasion.
 
Farmers wear a wide smile on their faces after beginning to collect the outcome of their hard work while Nabanna Mela was arranged in different areas where different commodities were sold and bauls and folk artistes performed.
 
Women prepare delicious pithas (cakes) of fresh rice, moa (sweetmeat made of molasses and puffed rice) and rice pudding (made of fresh milk and sugar or molasses) to entertain their family members.

From time immemorial, the Bangalees irrespective of caste, creed and religion have been celebrating the 'Nabanna Utsab' which is aligned with Bengali history, tradition and culture.
 
Marking the festival, various events, including threshing of newly harvested Aman paddy using traditional wooden 'Dheki', cutting of Aman paddy journey by bullock carts, horse race and 'lathi khela' (stick games) were arranged there.