Khagrachari, Mar 25 (V7N)– The Chittagong Hill Tracts are brimming with festive anticipation as the traditional "Boisabi" festival approaches. In Khagrachari district town, the excitement is palpable, marked by the commencement of a 16-day Baisuk, Biju, and Sangrai (Boisabi) fair.

"The traditional 'Boisabi' festival of the Chittagong Hill Tracts is going to start in a few days. The Khagrachari district town is abuzz with the excitement of this Boisabi festival," a local festival organizer confirmed.

Ahead of the festival, women entrepreneurs have organized a special "Biju Mela," showcasing traditional clothing, handicrafts, jewelry, and a diverse array of local cuisine. The fair has become a popular destination, drawing crowds eager to experience the region's rich cultural offerings.

"Women entrepreneurs have organized a Biju Mela in Khagrachari ahead of this festival. This fair has stalls selling traditional clothing, handicrafts, jewelry, and traditional Bahari food. Visitors to the fair are happy to see the array of traditional products and Bahari food," a fair spokesperson stated.

Boisabi, known by different names across the hill communities—Biju by the Chakma, Baisuk by the Tripura, and Sangrai by the Marma—is a unifying social festival celebrated with great enthusiasm. The Bengali-speaking population commonly refers to it as Baisabi.

"The social festival Baisabi, also known as Biju Sangrai Baisuk in the hills, is celebrated in a festive atmosphere. Although it has different names, people from the Chakma, Tripura and Marma ethnic groups celebrate this festival together," a local cultural expert explained.

The 16-day Biju Sangrai Baisuk Mela, organized by the Women Entrepreneurs Network in collaboration with Jabarang Kalyan Samity and the TAMS project, is being held at the Surya Shikha Club premises. The fair, which runs until April 7, features 40 stalls and attracts thousands of visitors daily.

"As part of the colorful arrangements of the Baisabi festival, a 16-day long Biju Sangrai Baisuk Mela was organized by the Women Entrepreneurs Network at the Surya Shikha Club premises in Khagrachhari and in collaboration with the Jabarang Kalyan Samity and TAMS project as part of the purchase and sale of products. Thousands of visitors come to the fair every day. 40 stalls have participated in this fair and the Biju Mela will continue till April 7," a fair organizer stated.

The stalls offer a wide variety of products, including traditional hill clothing, pitha-puli (local cakes), jewelry, and rangbatang (traditional crafts). The fair also features exhibitions of photographs, traditional attire, and handicrafts, as well as stalls offering traditional and seasonal food.

"Entrepreneurs have set up stalls selling traditional hill clothing, pitha-puli, jewellery, and rangbatang, among other products. In addition, photographs, traditional clothes, and handicrafts of the hill people are being exhibited at the fair. In addition, women entrepreneurs have set up stalls selling traditional and seasonal food of the hill people," a fair vendor described.

The Baisabi festival, and the accompanying fairs, serve as a vibrant celebration of the rich cultural heritage of the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

END/BTK/RH/