Bangladesh has a rich cultural heritage formed by its history, people, religions, occupations, and geography. Some key aspects of Bangladeshi culture include: 1) Festivals celebrate religious and seasonal events like Pohela Boishakh, Eid al-Fitr, Durga Puja, and harvest festivals. Traditional meals, clothing, and activities are part of these celebrations. 2) Arts like music, dance, photography, painting, and folk theater are deeply ingrained in Bangladeshi culture. Traditional instruments include the ektara and flute. 3) Marriage customs involve multi-day celebrations with rituals, clothing, jewelry, henna art, and food. Transportation of the bride by

1. Culture and Customs of Bangladesh
Bangladesh has a long history of its culture and customs. The land, the rivers, and the daily life
of the common people from different communities who live in harmony with greatly sympathetic
neighbor to one another formed a rich heritage and customs in the regions. Beside the great
Bengali poets Rabindranath Tagore (Noble Laurite) and Kazi Nazrul Islam (The National Poet of
Bangladesh), a number of Bengali Saints, Baul, Authors, Researchers, Thinkers, Painters, Music
personalities, Film-Makers and so on great soul have played a significant role in the development
of Bangladeshi local culture during Bengal Renaissance in 19th and the first few decades in 20th
centuries. Agriculture plays an important role to form culture and customs in Bangladesh when it
is the main profession in the region. The culture of Bangladesh is composited over centuries has
assimilated influences of local existing religion, socioeconomic condition, mass occupation,
belief, movement and so on factors. The region has a long heritage of multifaceted folk,
sculpture, weaving, pottery and terracotta, art and craft, festivals and celebrations, philosophy
and religion, and also in a distinction of cuisine and culinary tradition. Folk theatre is common at
the village level and usually takes place during harvest time or at Melas (village fairs).
Traditional music involves mostly lyrics and little instrumental accompaniment reflects Sufism,
lifestyle, nature, emotion, and socioeconomic condition. Major traditional musical instruments
are the ektara, dotara, dhol, flute, table etc. Photography and Painting are also a great
combination of traditions. Now a days, day, week or even month long painting or photography
exhibition in different places shows the artists creativity. There is much to learn about the
literature, entertainment and cuisine in Bangladesh. All of these form an integral part of the
cultural heritage of Bangladesh. National occasions also mark Bangladeshi life, and these include
Independence Day, Historic Language Martyr's Day (now observe as international mother
language day), Victory Day etc.
Festivals and celebrations in Bangladesh
Festivals and celebrations are the part of parcel of the culture and customs of Bangladesh.
Prominent and widely celebrated festivals in Bangladesh are described below in brief.
Pohela Boishakh Celebration in Bangladesh
Pohela Boishakh is the first day of the Bengali New Year. Now it is celebrated on the 14th of
April of the Gregorian calendar. Celebrations of Pahela Baishakh started from Akbar’s reign.
The main event of the day was to open a Halkhata (new fresh book) of accounts. This was

2. wholly a financial affair. In villages, towns and cities, traders and shopkeepers closed their old
account book and opened new one. They used to invite their customers to share sweets and
renew their business relationship. This tradition is still practiced among the jewelers, local store-
businessman, retailers etc. Pohela Boishakh is a public holiday. On the occasion the home is
thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned; people bathe early in the morning and dress in fine clothes
depending on ability. Women particularly young girls dress up white saris with red borders and
men clothed Punjabi, fatua with traditional art in Pahela Boishakh. They spend much time of the
day visiting relatives, friends, and neighbors and going to fair. Fairs are arranged in different
parts of the country where various agricultural products, traditional handicrafts, toys, cosmetics,
various kinds of foods and sweets etc. are sold. These fairs also provide entertainment, with
singers, dancers and traditional plays and songs. Horse races, bull races, bullfights, cockfights,
flying pigeons, boat racing etc. The most colorful New Year’s Day festival takes place in the
Ramna Batamul, Dhaka. Large numbers of people of different ages gather early in the morning
under the banyan tree where Chhayanat’s artists open the day with Rabindranath Tagore’s
famous song, Esho, hey Boishakh, Esho Esho… (Come, hey Boishakh, Come, Come…).
Tradition meal in Pohela Boishakh
Panta Ilish
People celebrate this cultural festive starting their day having breakfast with Panta-Ilisha (plain
boiled rice soaked overnight in water and slightly fermented & Hilsa Fish fry) supplemented
with different kind of Vortas (saluted or fried vegetable with green or fried chilly and other
spices) pickles, lentils etc. It is the traditional dish for the Pohela Boishakh festival. The dishes
are served in a plate made by clay. Is it not fantastic (!)?
Eid-ul-Fitr:Muslim festivals follow a lunar calendar. After a month long fasting in Ramadan, the
Holy Festival Eid-ul-Fitr comes with great joy and the occasion of social gathering. Eid ul Fitr is
the most important religious festival for the majority Muslims community. The celebration of
Eid-ul-Fitr has become a part of the culture of Bangladesh. People shop new dress and other
necessary items much on the occasion. City dwellers who have families or parents in villages go
to their country homes to meet relatives, friends & neighbors and celebrate the festival together.
All outgoing public transports from the major cities become highly crowded and in many cases
the fares rises up in spite of government restrictions.
Eid-ul-Azha: There are many similarities between the celebration of Eid ul-Azha and Eid ul-Fitr
in many ways. The only major difference is the Qurbani (sacrifice of domestic animals) on Eid

3. ul-Azha. It is the second major Muslim festival and is celebrated with much meat. Beside the
permanent market, numerous temporary marketplaces of different sizes called Haat operate in
various places for sale of Qurbani animals (usually cows and goats). The cows are then paraded
along the streets and each animal is decorated with paper flower garlands and glitter. Each family
that has ability buys cow, bull or goat to slaughter on the name of holy Allah. It is believed that
the slaughtering is not animal but the all evil motives of minds. In this occasion, people and
relatives are given meats who don’t have ability to buy any animals. This is a tradition of
sharing. The occasion is also known as Sacrifice Eid.
Shab-E-Barat: At the full moon 14 days before the starting of Ramadan, Shab-e-Barat is a sacred
night when sweetmeats are distributed to the poor, neighbors and relatives.
Durga Puja: Durga Puja is the biggest celebration of Hindu community. It is celebrated during
October. On the occasion, the Debi Durga (Goddess) statues astride a lion, with her ten hands
holding ten different weapons, are placed in not only regular Hindu temple but also enormous
temporary stages. Hindu community shop new dress and so on knick-knack on the occasion.
Almost all Puja stage, Village fair sits aside. It is now a day’s one of the most public gathering
occasion. Puja stage and such fair is visited not only Hindu community but also all classes of
people of Bangladesh.
Pahela Falgun/Bashanta Utshob: The day is celebrated on February 13. A colorful festival held
to welcome Bashanto (spring). Attired in reddish-yellow saris with red border and hairs
decorated with flowers, young girls and boys wearing traditional pajama and Punjabi, carrying
flowers, took part in the colorful march. A good number of kids also got their attractive faces
painted with different motifs including birds, national flag, butterflies etc.
Shakrail/ Ghuri Festival it is another remarkable traditional festival. Kite Festival is one of the
ancient and popular traditions. People especially young boys fly different kinds and colorful kites
on the occasion. It is still now celebrate widely in old Dhaka.
Nobanno (Harvesting Month): In the rural area, the farmers’ community starts harvesting and
with this joy they celebrate Nobanno. They made PAYESH (Sweet dish made with rice and
boiled milk), various kind of traditional rice cakes to celebrate Nobanno.

4. PAUSH PARBON (Winter Season): In this season people celebrate Paush Parbon with Date
Juice and various kinds of Pithas. Kuli pitha, Khajer pitha, Vapa pitha, chitai pitha and various
date juice based pitha are remarkable. Grihasto (farmer) invites their married daughter and son of
law on the occasion.
Aborginage Water Festival, a part of Bangladeshi Culture
Adibashi Water Festival
Adivasi festival: In the eve of the festival, women from the indigenous community demonstrated
the magic of weaving to the audience. On the occasion water throwing game is most popular and
eye catching. The basic of the game, boys and girls from opposite side throw water to one
another and that side can attack more is winner!
Lifestyle of Bangladesh
Dress: Bangladeshi people have traditional dress preferences. Bangladeshi men wear Pajama-
Punjabi or T-shirt on religious and cultural occasions and shirt pant on formal occasions. Lungi
is the unique preference for Bangladeshi men. Almost all men at home wear Lungi. Shari of
different colors and patterns is the most common dress for Bangladeshi women. Salowar Kamij
is also very popular, especially among the teen girls. Some girls in urban areas also wear pants,
skirts and tops.
Jewelry: Every Bangladeshi woman has an exceptional point of view about Jewelry. Almost all
the Bangladeshi women are fond of Gold and Silver. High or high middle classes people show
their blue blood wearing diamond or platinum jewelries. Costume Jewelries are also most
popular not only among the low earning group people but also educated and cultured guys. Gold
is so popular in Bangladesh that it is must in every weeding ceremony. Hindu married women
are easily identified by her wrist accessories and their Shidur which is dark red chemicals use in
their middle of upper forehead.
Mehedi a part of Bangladeshi culture
Mehedi Art

5. Mehendi: It is another popular traditional art in Bangladesh. The design and color attract
everybody. Mehendi made by pasting leaves of the plant Lawsonia Inermis. It is a decorative art
that is applied as a part of daily life, festive occasions and weddings. The bridal mehendi designs
are typically inspired by Mughal paintings mixed in with classical arts. Drawing hands of a bride
and groom or the bridal procession are common as well.
Traditional Marriage Ceremony in Banglades
Settle marriage is popular in Bangladesh. Once the guardians (only) of bride and grooms settled
such relation and the bride and groom’s opinions had minor priority. Now a day the situations
has been improved and given the priority of bride and bride groom likes. Muslim faith based
Bangladeshi society accepts the newly culture and made own form with the traditional customs
of old and new practices. The Bangladeshi particularly middle class bride and bride groom want
to start the family life with joy. Bangladeshis are believed to be protective band forever and
almost all bride and bride groom perform faith to each other in the next portion of life. They
invite all friends, neighbors and relatives as much possible on the weeding festival. Bangladeshi
weeding ceremony has its own tradition and customs for days long.
Traditional Marriage ceremony of Bangladesh
Bangladeshi Traditional Marriage Festival
Cuisine and Culinary Tradition of Bangladesh
The region is famous for its illusive culinary tradition, and delicious food, dessert and snacks.
Plain rice is the staple food and it is served with a variety of vegetables either fried or curry or
even Bharta (cereals of various vegetables or fishes dry or fresh with spices that are absolutely
delicious), egg, thick lentil soups, and fish or meat preparations of beef, mutton or fowl. Fish is
the main source of protein, cultivated in ponds and the network of inland rivers of the Ganges
delta. Marine fishes are also available. As Dessert Misti Dhohi, flat Chana, Sweetened Yogurt,
Sandesh, Rasgolla, Ras Malai, Kalojam, Pudding etc are unique and you will know what it
means! Kheer is also a great tasty milk based dessert. Sweetmeat is served to a guest any time of
the day or night. A messenger who would carry good news to a relative or a man also
accompanies those sweetmeats. Bengali cuisine is rich and varied with the use of many
specialized spices and flavours. Tradition drinks are tea, Lassi, Sugarcane Juice, Lime and Date
juices, Green Coconut Water are mentionable. Alcoholic drinks are not widely available. It is
available in star hotels and renowned restaurants only.

6. Transport: Transport and communication in Bangladesh takes many forms. There are some
transports as the part of culture and customs of Bangladesh. In rural areas bullock cart, buffalo
cart and TomTom (Horse pulled car) are commonly used. In old Dhaka TomTom is still found.
Bicycles are used both in rural and urban areas. Palki (A box-like shape carried on shoulders by
six men) is traditional wedding transport. Bride is carried to the bridegroom’s house riding Palki
and returns with bridegroom. The groom procession follows it as well. There is a unique Eco-
friendly traditional rickshaw that is available all over the country for short journey. The green
outer color of the CNG Auto Rickshaws in big cities reflects the Eco friendly awareness of
Bangladesh. Beside it regular auto-rickshaw, Car, Bus, Train etc. are mentionable land transport
for long journey. Bangladesh is a revering country and water transport system is very strong and
luxurious and comparatively cheap. You can watch Bangladeshi village, local market and public
places, corn fields, landscape etc when you travel and guess about culture and customs of
Bangladesh. Air transport is also available among the big cities. There are eight domestic airports
(active) for air transport.
Social customs like birth, naming ceremony, Circumcision and death too have a distinct
Bangladeshi flavors with each ethnic and religious group having their own unique way to mark
these traditions.