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Baisabi Festival in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh

The Baisabi Festival is one of the most vibrant and culturally significant celebrations for the indigenous communities of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in southeastern Bangladesh. Celebrated every April, Baisabi marks the traditional New Year for several ethnic groups including the Chakma, Marma, Tripura, and others, each of whom adds their own unique customs to the festivities. The name “Baisabi” is a blend of Boisu (Tripura), Sangrai (Marma), and Biju (Chakma) —the names of the New Year festivals observed by each group. Timing and Significance Baisabi is typically celebrated from April 12 to 14 , aligning with the solar New Year observed in many parts of South and Southeast Asia. It coincides with Pahela Baishakh , the Bengali New Year, but Baisabi is distinct in its deep-rooted tribal heritage, spiritual traditions, and emphasis on harmony with nature. This festival not only ushers in a new year but also marks the end of the old agricultural cycle and the beginning of a new on...
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Baisabi Festival in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh


The Baisabi Festival is one of the most vibrant and culturally significant celebrations for the indigenous communities of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in southeastern Bangladesh. Celebrated every April, Baisabi marks the traditional New Year for several ethnic groups including the Chakma, Marma, Tripura, and others, each of whom adds their own unique customs to the festivities. The name “Baisabi” is a blend of Boisu (Tripura), Sangrai (Marma), and Biju (Chakma)—the names of the New Year festivals observed by each group.

Timing and Significance

Baisabi is typically celebrated from April 12 to 14, aligning with the solar New Year observed in many parts of South and Southeast Asia. It coincides with Pahela Baishakh, the Bengali New Year, but Baisabi is distinct in its deep-rooted tribal heritage, spiritual traditions, and emphasis on harmony with nature.

This festival not only ushers in a new year but also marks the end of the old agricultural cycle and the beginning of a new one. It’s a time for renewal, community bonding, and paying homage to nature and ancestors.

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Celebrations and Traditions

1. Biju (Chakma community):
Biju is celebrated over three days. The first day, Phul Biju, involves decorating homes with flowers and offering them at temples. The second day is for social visits, cooking traditional dishes like Pazon Ton (a mixed vegetable curry made with over a dozen ingredients), and participating in community festivities. The third day is for spiritual rituals and remembering deceased family members.

2. Sangrai (Marma community):
For the Marma people, Sangrai is both spiritual and playful. A major highlight is the water festival, similar to Thailand’s Songkran, where people splash water on each other to cleanse away the misfortunes of the past year and welcome freshness and blessings. Traditional games, dances, and offerings to Buddha are also key elements.

3. Boisu (Tripura community):
Boisu begins with thorough house cleaning, lighting lamps, and preparing traditional foods. Tripura communities gather to sing and dance, offer prayers, and exchange greetings. Food sharing and community feasting play a central role.

Cultural Richness

The Baisabi festival reflects the ethnic diversity and cultural wealth of the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Music, traditional dances, and colorful garments define the celebrations. People wear their traditional attire—women in bright handwoven pinon hadi (Chakma) or thami (Marma)—and the air is filled with the rhythm of indigenous drums and bamboo flutes.

The festival also serves as a platform for showcasing traditional crafts, folk performances, and community unity, often drawing tourists and visitors who wish to experience the region’s cultural depth firsthand.

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A Festival of Unity and Peace

Despite the historical tensions in the region, Baisabi stands out as a symbol of peace, harmony, and coexistence among different ethnic groups. It transcends individual traditions to become a shared cultural identity for the hill communities.

In essence, Baisabi is more than just a New Year festival—it's a vibrant celebration of life, community, heritage, and the deep connection between people and nature in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

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