Bangladesh culture
Abstract
Bangladesh culture bears a unique history dating back to more than 2500 years ago. The country rivers, land and lives form the people’s heritage marking their differences from the neighbouring regions (Aymonier & Gurdon 1996). The first inhabitants of Bangladesh were the Khasis who are believed to have a connection with the Malay and Peninsula people during the stone age. In contemporary society, Bangladesh is inhabited by two million indigenous people from 45 distinct communities (United Nation., 2020; Gateway & Hossain., 2003). The people live in distinctive cultural and social practices, organizations, language, and customs/value known as “Adivasis” by people. Khasis are the most vulnerable and disadvantaged Adivasi community. This paper examines the aspects of Bangladesh culture in their definitive relation to Bengali people.
- History of Bangladesh
Bangladesh ranks tops as one of the smallest countries in the world with an estimate of 160 million population (CIA World Factbook). The country has exotic beauty and lengthy historical background. Bangladesh comes into existence in 1971 after Bengali East Pakistan seceded from West Pakistan Union. Bangladesh early history was characterized by authority shifts, power struggles, conflicts and bloody disasters. Political instability affiliated Bengali territory during the early days of Alexander the Great. The plague intensified through the Muslim dynasty in the 13th Century up to during arrival of European settlers and traders in 15th Century. The political instability led to British triumphed economic and political gain and entry by mid-1700s. Britain ruled the Bengal territory for almost 200 years.
After WWII British downsized its empires leaving Bangladesh at the hands of Viceroy Lord Mountbatten. Bangladesh was declared independent on March 26, 1971, under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, after the Bangladesh Liberation war in 1971. On December 16, 1971, Bangladesh won the battle, after the Bangladesh Liberation war in 1971. It’s after Dhaka fell to the Mitro Bahini forces and Indian Army when an instrument of “surrender” was signed. The declaration was made by General Nazi of defeated Pakistan and General Aurora, an Indian commander at 16:31 Indian Standard Time (Rahman, A.R., 2013). Independence was achieved after East indigenous people vigorously protested. Unity among the East and West Pakistanis kept the people strong to fight for their freedom. Islam religion was the significance of unity.
March 26 is recognized as the independence day while December 16 as the victory day. Concerts, speeches and parades mark the independence day celebration. The day also features a national holiday with a doodle featuring illustrations of men in boats, nodding to Bangladesh rivers. Lots of government buildings are lit up with green and red (national colours) in the city of Dhaka. The two colours make up the Bangladesh national flag. Green symbolizes Bangladesh flora while red represents the rising sun in the new country.
Religious aspects in Bangladesh Bangladesh culture is intertwined with that of the Bengal region. The country’s religion evolved out of movements based on secular ideas which and attempts of relegating it (Bangladesh) the background of a new state. This Islam to emerge as a stable state religion because the society was not prepared for secularism (Huque, A. S., & Akhter, M. Y. (1987). However, there exist other religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity, among others. The states religion (Islam) ensures equal rights and status to the other religions’ adherents.
Religion dominance in Bangladesh is as follows Islam 90.4%, Hinduism 8.54%, Buddhism 0.60%, Christianity 0.37%, others 0.14% (National census, 2011). In this paper, I majored in Islam because Bangladesh accords it as the state religion. Muslims are predominant in the country, making Bangladesh the fourth-largest Muslim dominated country. Most Muslims in Bangladesh are Sunnis; however, there is a small community known as Shia; with 88% being Bengali Muslims, and 2 % Bihari and Assamese Muslims. The Shia commemorates the martyrdom of Muhammad’s grandson, Husain ibn Ali who is widely observed in the Sunnis nation.
In Bangladesh, Bishwa Ijtema is the most notable and most significant congregation of the Muslims. Besides Bishwa Ijtema, the Sunnis nation people celebrate Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha, Muharram, Milad un Nabi, Shab-e-Barat and Chand Raat. These celebrations are celebrated with much grandeur and fanfare. During the festivities and above religious observance the days are regarded as holy days. Eid ul-Fitr is sacred Festival marking the end of Ramadan Fast; the Festival is celebrated in June. Eid ul-Adha is a celebration marking the culmination of the annual pilgrimage to mecca and commemoration of Abrahams sacrifice (Oxford Dictionary). Eid ul-Adha also known as Festival of sacrifice is celebrated though Eid prayers, animal sacrifice, social gatherings, charity and gift-giving, and festive gatherings.
Muslims have six beliefs, namely.
- Belief in Allah as the only supreme being.
- Beliefs in angles.
- Belief in Qur’an as the holy book. To Muslims, one can approach all through prayer and reciting the Quran.
- Beliefs in prophets such as Ibrahim, Musa, Dawud, Isa Muhammad., etc.
- Beliefs in the day of judgement. During this day, each individual will be assessed to decide if s/he will go to hell or heaven.
- Beliefs in predestination. The belief asserts that Allah is all-knowing and He knows what’s happening in the universe. However, this doesn’t deter human beings from making free choices.
The heart of Muslims is obedience to Allah by observing five-times prayer in a day.
- Values
Quranic view of collectivist and social symbolism equips me with an understanding to follow if undoubtedly. With me, I prefer collectivist values over individualist. This is because society can not regard itself as civilized when a sick person is denied medical help due to lack of means. Therefore, for a legitimate family/society wholesomeness, more serene and spiritual health among the citizens are crucial social issues (Dorothy Wedderburn, 1996). When a society lives under collectivist, the fortune provides support and aid to the less fortunate. I adhere to collectivist value by showing empathy, compassion and brotherhood to others. It is this sensitivity to the human feeling that develops the habit of delivering solace to those who are overwhelmed or inferior.
For over 4 million years ago, human beings have been communication. On the other hand, culture came into established at about 35, 000 year ago. The two evolved considerably and become interdependent; communication is at a point considered as a product of culture. And since each culture has its distinct aspects and intellectual communication leading to the current social issues/problems/disorders. These issues lead to intellectual miscommunication. They include;
- Language barrier. Refers to the challenge of communicating effectively to people who you don’t share the same language.
- Cultural diversity. Refers to the existence of the varied ethnic group in society.
- Refers to judging people from their cultural viewpoint. Or using owns culture to judge others.
And since intercultural communication offers the ability to deal across all cultures, it helps to be able to accommodate cultural differences peacefully. The ability boosts understanding of our neighbours and aid formulate an innovatively and creatively mind of dealing with those from different cultures. With this, each individual will scrupulously study other cultures dialects (educational, economic, social and historical conditions) for peaceful coexistence.
- Social organizations
As the Hadith of the prophet denotes, a religious person is not the ritualistic one but the one who deals with others well. As a Muslim adherent, my daily activities include guardian, recipient and executor of God’s will on earth. All my roles and responsibilities are encompassed sufficient pious deeds to demonstrate my beliefs and obedience to Allah. Worshipping and dispensing Allah’s words to others are typically my worth experience. “Living the faith is ibada, service to God through service to humankind”. And by no means shall ye attain righteousness unless ye give (freely) of that which ye love; and whatever ye give, of a truth God knoweth it well (Qur’an 3:92). I strive to defend what is right because of the faith duty to oppose what’s wrong.
I’m not an independent learner because as a Muslim, I adhere to the call of the prophet to show equality and social order to members of society. And since Islam is founded in collective morality as expressed in Qur’an terms like brotherhood, fairness, justice, solidarity, compassion, mercy., etc. I’m responsible for applying these principles’ in my daily life.
My family background is a transforming family to eliminate all forms of discrimination. We achieve this by leading in conforming Muslim principles of brotherhood. With this solidarity, my family complies with the international Muslim standards of freedom of choice resting upon full equality and non-discrimination to all human beings (Behrouz, A. N. 2003).
- Language
98% of the Bangladeshis speak Bengali or Bengal language. Notably, Bangladesh is the only monolingual South Asian country with one official language. Therefore, Bengali is the official language in Bangladesh; however there are other foreign, immigrant and indigenous languages spoken in the country. Alongside Bengali there exist 39 languages. Saudi Arabia, Nepal and India are Some of the Bangladesh expatriates’ counties where the residents speak the Bengali language. The higher dominance of Bengali language makes it to be high in context in Bangladesh. Its only Bengali that’s considered as an official language and used by the majority.
The Bengali language traces its origin back during 12th Century to the bubbling soup in the Indo-Aryan family. Later it led to the production of Sanskrit, Urdu and Hindi among others. Old Bengali evolved as the first language version distinct from other languages. Old Bengali is recorded only in Charyapada (Charva songs) which is a collection of 48 prayer songs of the Buddhism tradition.
By 15th Century, old Bengali mutated to the Middle Bengali thus remaining as a distinct language until the early 19th Century. It was during 19th C when efforts were made to standardize the Bengali language. The efforts transformed the old Bengali language to the Modern/New Bengali today. The new Bengali led to Bengali Renaissance-period of spectacular artistic and literally for Bengali culture (OneHour Translation.,2013; Britannica Encyclopedia., 2017). The renaissance movement led to a bloody protest in 1952 as an attempt to secure Bangladesh independence leading to Bengali be accorded as an official language. New Bengali is the language spoken by more than 200 million people today as an official language in Bangladesh.
In conclusion, Bangladesh culture bears a unique history that dates back to over 2500 years ago. The states land, rivers and lives form an essential Bangladesh heritage that distinguishes the Bengali state from the neighbouring regions. Bangladesh culture is a composite, and for centuries it has assimilated other religions (Islam, Jainism, Buddhism, Hinduism., etc.) aspects. The culture manifests itself in various forms such as language and literature, religion and philosophy, celebrations and festivals, music, drama and dance, folklores and folktales and its distinct cuisine and culinary tradition.