NN Desk:
The vibrant New Year festival of the Marma and Mro communities — “Sangrai Powe” and “Chakran Powe” — has begun in Bandarban with colourful processions and the veneration of the elders.
On Sunday morning, Bandarban Deputy Commissioner Shamim Ara Rimi officially inaugurated the festival by releasing doves at the traditional Bomang King’s ground.
People of all ages in traditional attire and carrying colourful banners, placards, masks, and motifs, participated in the parade. The streets of Bandarban came alive with dance, music, and joyous celebrations. The procession moved through the main streets of the town and concluded at the Indigenous Cultural Institute.
Traditional musical instruments of the Marma community, such as the bung (small drum), pai (large drum), and hnyeh (special flute), alongside the Mro community’s bamboo flute known as plung, were played during the procession.
Later, the veneration of the elders was held in the auditorium of the institute. This year’s ceremony was organised by the Sangrai Festival Celebration Committee.
The festival in Bandarban will continue from April 14 to April 19. During this period, traditional water-splashing, pitha festivals, wrestling competitions, and various cultural events will be held.
Every village in the district’s upazilas, communities such as the Marma, Mro, Chak, Khumi, and others will celebrate the Sangrai festival.
The Sangrai festival is primarily the New Year celebration of Theravada Buddhists.
