Why would someone go to a festival? The children would answer with wide eyes filled with excitement and happiness. The occasion to wear new clothes, go out with family and enjoy delicacies-- all are something to look forward to throughout the year. The scenario has been indifferent with the kids but the youth love festivals more with added vibrancy and many other things in celebrating them.
Bangladesh has a history and heritage of diverse festivals that have been celebrated for centuries. Young people have contrasting ways of looking at these festivals. They celebrate fiestas in their revised ways, but with the traditions at the centre. 'Chand Raat' may not be about hiding clothes anymore but applying henna is still a must. Eid day can be a friends' day out but Eid prayer at Eidgah is constant. Likewise, Durga Puja mandaps are grander now, but red and white garad sarees are still favourites. Religious festivals have been observed here with the traditions like their ancestors. The youth adds up to the traditions and observe them accordingly, sometimes with more to add. Why are these traditions kept alive by the youth? What urges them to celebrate?
Ms Anne Anthonia Baroi, psychological counselor and lecturer at BRAC University, answered to this, "As middle age hits with more tension and less enthusiasm, the youth carry these traditions. That can be for both celebratory purposes and to be socially active. This makes them feel attached to their peers, brings comfort and confidence with their participation. This is an opportunity for them to enhance their creativity and build up their confidence."
Pohela Baishakh is one of the grandest celebrations in Bangladesh. Though people of all ages celebrate it, the crowd offers a large number of young people who observe the day with utmost festivity. Students spend days preparing for Baisakhi celebrations and organise events displaying the Bangalee culture in beautiful ways. Pohela Falgun is also a day to watch the youth welcome spring with floral ornaments and colourful attires.
But how do festivals influence the youth? Dr Nasim Jahan, assistant professor (Psychiatry) at BIRDEM General Hospital, believes that a festival creates a bonding and socialising environment that encourages the youth towards a healthy environment. "The inner negativity can turn towards something positive and target-oriented which helps the mind to focus and initiate positive behaviour."
Society is dependent on social heritages, a mixture of customs, traditions, moral values, attitudes, folklore, beliefs and ideals. And festivals work as a binder to pass on from one generation to another. Youths have the responsibility to create a bridge between generations. So, cultural transitions are largely dependent on how they preserve the traditions while welcoming new ones.
Today's youths grow up in an extremely competitive environment which makes their day to day life hectic. Ms Baroi believes festivals to be great sources to take a break and energies. She says, "Still, when a festival is coming up, the excitement builds. Festivals act like stress relievers and help balance emotions. It also provides an opportunity to reduce friction and bring friends and family closer."
Afrid Sharraf Ali, a second year student of journalism at Dhaka University, takes time out from his routine whenever festivals are around. "I attend festivals to give my daily routine a break. It refreshes me and makes me conscious of the fact that I am part of a fabulous culture," said the young man. On the other hand, festivals remain as an escape from busy schedules for many. "Sharing moments with loved ones is what makes me attend festivals. Those moments work as my motivator to focus on my work again," said Sumya Arefin Arni, a journalist from Jamuna Television. She prefers village festivals more than urban ones. Village fairs, jarigan under banyan trees, Baul song festivals attract her more.
As global citizens, excerpts of foreign cultures have secured a place among today's youths. It is reflected in their choices of festivities. Weddings, anniversaries are celebrated with much grandeur nowadays that they become festivals on their own. There are festivals like New Year, Halloweens, Comic Cons or Valentine's Day that the youth celebrate with enthusiasm. Young generation has a huge contribution to cultural transmissions as well, as Banglaee students studying abroad celebrate national festivals-- representing Banglaee culture abroad.
Festivals in Banglaee culture are strong reminders that secularism is the essence of it. Every religion has its ways of celebrating festivals and people of different religions live together in harmony. Robaet Ferdous, professor of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism at Dhaka University, opined in this regard, "Life is not only about living, but also celebrating. Festivals are for everyone, disassociated from racism and religious extremism, which will teach the next generation about secularism and true festivity. The young generation should make it known as they are the links between generations."
The importance of feeling included is essential for the youth today as mental health problems are increasing alarmingly. Dr Jahan suggests festivals can be a good alternative to the regular entertainment of the youth. "Youths who tend to isolate themselves socially can easily turn to harmful addictions. Festivals can serve the purpose of making them feel included and diverted positively."
Some criticise festivals being a waste of money and energy. But the positivity and togetherness every festival holds and the enthusiasm it breathes into the existing monotony is precious. As Ms Baroi further added, "Festivals are great sources of communicating, relieving stress and enjoyment. The time spent with family and friends makes a person glow even in the middle of a hundred worries." Hence, youths need vibrant and colourful celebrations of festivals that can bear the message of inclusion, secularism and unity, connecting their rich heritage and backgrounds.
The writer is a student of Mass Communication and Journalism at Dhaka University. She can be reached at amipurbo@gmail.com