333rd two-day indigenous Sohrai festival begins in Joypurhat

With the slogan 'Independent language and culture are a nation's self-identity', the traditional two-day 333rd Sohrai cultural festival of indigenous people has begun in Joypurhat. The festival has been organized at the traditional Buri Kali Sohrai temple premises in Pali indigenous village of Sadar upazila, where indigenous artists performed songs in their own language and traditional dances.

According to the organizers, this festival is held every year two days after Kali Puja, with more than fifty indigenous groups from Joypurhat and surrounding districts participating. Artists wearing red, white, and green sarees with flowers tucked in their hair performed dances to songs in their native language, while the beats of drums and conch shells made the festivity more vibrant, concluding with prizes awarded to the top three winning teams. A rural fair has also been set up around the temple, featuring sweetmeats, various toys, and different goods.

The event was attended by Deputy Commissioner Al Mamun Mia, District BNP Convener Golzar Hossain, Sadar Upazila BNP President Aminur Rahman Bokul, Vadsasa Union Parishad Panel Chairman Shah Alam, National Indigenous Council District Branch President Ratan Singh, former President of Bangladesh Indigenous Association Kartik Singh, and Sohrai Cultural Festival Celebration Committee President Dilip Singh, among others.

Reported by 4 outlets. See the original sources below for full details.